Chapter 97: A Tense Morning and a Surprise Attack
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Jenny awakens abruptly in the early morning, sitting up in bed. The sky is dark blue, too early to rise, but her sleep has been disrupted by the stress of the murder trial. She looks down at Stafford Lee, asleep beside her, and gently touches his hand. She notices he no longer wears his wedding band; that ring is now in the Biloxi Police Department evidence room. Revisiting Carrie Ann’s death has been painful for Stafford Lee. New evidence has surfaced: a witness told detectives that Joey Roman pursued Carrie Ann when she and Stafford Lee were separated, and she rebuffed him. Police believe Roman lured Benjamin Gates to the house to cover the double murder. Jenny thinks this discovery will eventually bring Stafford Lee peace, allowing him to let go of the guilt he felt for triggering the murders.
Together, they have dismantled the murder walls in his conference room, storing all charts, pictures, and reports in cardboard boxes. Jenny wishes they could burn the files, but they cannot—yet. With the investigation into Joey Roman intensifying, the district attorney has agreed to postpone Stafford Lee’s and Rue’s trials indefinitely, though the charges have not been dismissed. Stafford Lee offered to let Jenny delay moving in until the prosecution’s decision is settled, so she wouldn’t bear the burden of his legal troubles. She, however, rejects that idea. She curls up next to him, knowing some in Biloxi might consider her move too hasty, but adversity has clarified her priorities. She must seize the day and be with the man she loves.
She is already a nightly guest, sharing the spare bedroom he has occupied since Carrie Ann’s murder. When she finishes moving her belongings, Rue will take over Jenny’s apartment—more convenient for Rue’s law school commute. Rue has even commented on the intense “love nest” vibe, reminding them that she predicted the romance. Jenny lies beside Stafford Lee, feeling supremely happy, nothing marring the moment.
Then her muscles go taut. She hears him before she sees him. Joey Roman appears in the doorway, wearing a Kevlar vest over a white T‑shirt and carrying a shotgun—the Perazzi, recognizable by its wooden stock and gold side plate. He raises the shotgun and says, “Bet you didn’t expect to see me again.” In a flash, Jenny has a Glock in her hand, aimed at his head. She replies, “Bet you didn’t expect this,” and empties the chamber.
Key Events
- Jenny wakes early and studies Stafford Lee’s sleeping form; she reflects on the missing wedding ring.
- New evidence reveals that Joey Roman pursued Carrie Ann during her separation from Stafford Lee, and that rejection motivated a double‑murder cover‑up.
- The murder walls in the conference room have been dismantled; case files are stored in boxes awaiting the outcome of the Roman investigation.
- The DA postpones Stafford Lee’s and Rue’s trials indefinitely but does not dismiss the charges.
- Jenny decides to move into Stafford Lee’s house; Rue will move into Jenny’s apartment.
- While Jenny feels a moment of pure happiness, Joey Roman enters with a shotgun.
- Jenny draws a concealed Glock and fires all rounds at Roman, defending herself and Stafford Lee.
Character Development
- Jenny: Demonstrates significant growth from a woman affected by the trial’s stress to someone who takes decisive action. She embraces her relationship despite potential criticism and shows exceptional preparedness by keeping a firearm ready. Her immediate, lethal response to Joey Roman indicates a shift from passive fear to active self‑defense.
- Stafford Lee: Remains asleep throughout the chapter, vulnerable. His arc is advanced through Jenny’s thoughts: the new evidence may relieve the guilt he carried over Carrie Ann’s death, paving the way for emotional healing.
- Joey Roman: Re‑emerges as a direct, violent threat. His line “Bet you didn’t expect to see me again” and his tactical gear (Kevlar vest) confirm his cunning and willingness to kill, reinforcing the police theory that he is a calculating murderer.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Domestic peace vs. violent intrusion: The chapter contrasts Jenny’s serene, loving morning with the sudden arrival of a shotgun‑wielding killer, highlighting how violence can shatter even the most intimate moments.
- Preparedness and survival: Jenny’s concealed Glock and her willingness to use it underscore the theme that danger requires constant readiness. The dismantled murder walls represent an attempt to move forward, but the surviving threat proves that the past is not yet fully buried.
- Justice delayed, self‑defense immediate: The legal system has postponed accountability, leaving Jenny and Stafford Lee unprotected. Jenny’s instant response shows that when courts cannot act, individuals must protect themselves.
- Symbolism of weapons: The Perazzi shotgun (an elegant, expensive item) contrasts with the practical, modern Glock, suggesting the difference between calculated evil and decisive self‑defense. The wedding band in the evidence room symbolizes Stafford Lee’s unrecovered grief.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter delivers a major cliffhanger and action sequence. It validates the police theory that Joey Roman is the true mastermind behind the murders, raising the stakes for the story’s climax. Jenny’s decision to move in with Stafford Lee solidifies their romantic commitment, while her lethal response to Roman demonstrates her evolution from a mere observer to an active defender. The indefinite postponement of the trials keeps legal tension alive, and the unresolved threat of Joey Roman sets up a direct confrontation that will likely drive the remaining chapters. Readers see that the case is far from over even as personal happiness seems within reach.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Jenny decide to move in with Stafford Lee despite the unresolved charges and public opinion?
Jenny believes that adversity clarifies priorities. She wants to seize every opportunity to be with the man she loves, regardless of what others think. The months of hardship have shown her what truly matters. -
What new evidence about Joey Roman has emerged that could exonerate Stafford Lee?
A witness told detectives that Joey Roman pursued Carrie Ann when she and Stafford Lee were separated, and she rebuffed him. Police believe this rejection drove Roman to commit the double murder and that he lured Benjamin Gates to the house as a cover‑up. This evidence shifts suspicion away from Stafford Lee. -
How does Jenny’s reaction to Roman’s intrusion demonstrate her character change from earlier in the book?
Earlier, Jenny was stressed and vulnerable, her sleep disrupted by the trial. Now she remains calm under threat, drawing a Glock instantly and firing without hesitation. Her ability to defend herself and her partner shows she has transformed from a passive victim of circumstances into a proactive survivor.
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