Chapter summaries The Big Empty Robert Crais

The Big Empty Chapter 69 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ 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

Elvis Cole sits at his table reviewing the thirteen Bagman case files while Pike watches over the canyon. The crime-scene photo of each victim is the only image Chen included, but it is enough to convey the horror. Cole reads the original detective summaries, which confirm a chilling pattern. He sets the files aside and visits Traci Beller’s website to look at her father Tommy, searching his face for evil but finding only a normal-looking man.

Cole then focuses on a puzzling notation in the most recent CODIS check: “Special Update: CODIS results revised.” He calls Chen, who dismisses it as a routine change, but Cole is not satisfied. He takes the notation to Pike, then tries to learn more by calling several detectives involved in the cases. Each call fails—disguised as a reporter, a family member, or a city official, he gets nowhere. Pike tells him to relax, and Cole switches tactics.

He researches Harlan Rowly, the retired detective who originally worked the Lyman case, and uses Rowly’s identity to call Special Agent Clemons Lawrence at the FBI. Lawrence explains that improved DNA extraction methods have revealed hair shafts from a second person on three of the victims. He suggests the killer might be two people—the “Bagmen.” Cole realizes this changes everything.

Cole then calls Carmack about Lori Sanchez and Arturo Melendez. Carmack denies ever questioning Arturo at the SurfMutt, implying the cop who did question him may be the killer. Cole fears this person will target Traci Beller and sends Pike to protect her. He himself speeds back to Rancha.

Key Events

  • Cole reads through the Bagman case files and visits Traci’s website to study her father’s face.
  • He notices a cryptic “CODIS results revised” notation and presses Chen for an explanation.
  • Multiple attempts to get information from detectives fail, until he impersonates retired detective Harlan Rowly.
  • Special Agent Lawrence reveals that hairs without follicles on three victims belong to a second individual, suggesting a pair of killers.
  • Cole learns that an unknown cop, not Carmack, questioned Arturo Melendez at the SurfMutt.
  • Cole deduces that the other cop may be the killer and sends Pike to protect Traci Beller.

Character Development

  • Elvis Cole: Demonstrates persistence and cleverness by assuming a retired detective’s identity. His concern for Traci’s safety shows his protective instincts.
  • Joe Pike: Remains a quiet, watchful presence. His suggestion to check with Carmack leads to a crucial lead. He accepts Cole’s assignment to guard Traci without hesitation.
  • Carmack: Briefly appears to clarify he was not the officer who questioned Arturo, unintentionally confirming a new suspect.
  • Special Agent Clemons Lawrence: Portrayed as knowledgeable and cautious. He offers the theory of a second killer but remains uncertain about contamination.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Face of Evil: Cole stares at Tommy’s photo and finds no obvious evil, reinforcing the idea that evil can look ordinary.
  • DNA as a Storyteller: The CODIS revision and hair-shaft analysis show how forensic science can rewrite a cold case narrative.
  • Masks and Impersonation: Cole’s failed and successful disguises highlight the theme of deception—both by the investigator and by the unknown killer.
  • Unseen Partners: The possibility of a second killer echoes earlier duos in crime history (the Hillside Stranglers, etc.), suggesting that hidden partnerships are a recurring motif in serial murder.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 69 is a turning point: the single-killer assumption is shattered. The revelation that a second person may have been present forces Cole to reconsider every connection among the victims, including Lori Sanchez and Arturo Melendez. It raises the stakes for Traci Beller, who now faces a potentially unknown threat. The chapter also deepens the mystery of the “other cop” who questioned Arturo, setting up a direct confrontation.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Cole impersonate a retired detective instead of continuing with other covers?
    Answer: His earlier attempts as a reporter, family member, or city official failed because the detectives were guarded. Impersonating Harlan Rowly, the original case detective, gives him credibility that leads to a productive conversation with Special Agent Lawrence.

  2. What does the CODIS revision reveal, and why is it significant?
    Answer: It reveals that hair shafts from a second person were found on three victims. This suggests the Bagman may have had a partner, fundamentally changing the investigation from a single killer to a possible duo.

  3. How does Cole conclude that the killer may be the officer who questioned Arturo?
    Answer: Carmack confirms he never questioned Arturo at the SurfMutt. Since someone impersonated a cop to question him, and that person is now connected to the murders of Lori and Arturo, Cole suspects it is the same individual—likely the second killer.

Navigation