Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis: The Body Found

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Tom arriving at school and seeing two police cars. His best friend, Slug, tells him that Brandi Healey’s body has been found buried in the woods, apparently tortured before death. Tom is shaken; he had tutored Brandi and fears being connected to the crime. Daisy runs to Tom in tears, and her friend Alison watches Tom with a sharp, suspicious gaze. Daisy reveals that her father (the police chief) believes the killer is a student at the school. Tom feels sick at the prospect of interrogation and cancels his afternoon tutoring session, aware he could be arrested before the day ends.

Key Events

Tom sees two police cars at school and feels immediate dread.
Slug informs Tom that Brandi Healey’s body has been discovered in the woods by a dog walker; she was tortured before death.
Tom tries to downplay his connection to Brandi, but Slug reminds him he tutored her.
Slug makes a crude remark about Brandi’s appearance; Tom reacts with anger.
Daisy runs to Tom crying; Alison follows and stares at Tom with suspicion.
Daisy reveals her father believes the killer is a student.
Tom cancels his tutoring session, fearing he may be arrested.

Character Development

Tom: His fear escalates from unease to outright panic. He rubs his healing abdomen wound (from his father’s attack, mentioned earlier) and wishes for a cigarette. His attempts to distance himself from Brandi fail when Slug recalls the tutoring. Tom’s protective reaction when Slug insults Brandi hints at a deeper, possibly guilty connection. His decision to cancel tutoring shows he expects the police to come for him.
Slug: Remains callous and gossipy, treating Brandi’s murder as entertainment. His joke about her being “not so much anymore” reveals a complete lack of empathy, making him an unsympathetic figure.
Daisy: Genuinely grief-stricken, she clings to Tom, unaware of his inner turmoil. Her trust in Tom contrasts with Alison’s suspicion.
Alison: Her silent, steady stare suggests she doubts Tom’s innocence. She pointed out the tutoring connection earlier (at the health fair) and now appears to be watching him closely.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrets and Guilt: Tom’s internal panic contrasts with his outward attempts to appear calm. The secret of his involvement with Brandi (whatever it was) threatens to surface.
Appearance vs. Reality: Tom presents himself as a supportive boyfriend to Daisy, but his actions and thoughts reveal a man on the edge. The police cars symbolize the intrusion of truth into his carefully constructed facade.
Violence and Trauma: Brandi’s torture and murder echo the physical violence Tom himself suffered from his father. The buried body in the snow-covered woods suggests hidden horrors that eventually come to light.
The Gaze of Suspicion: Alison’s stare acts as a motif for the judgment Tom fears. It represents the moment when a hidden crime is noticed and scrutinized.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter shifts the story from a simmering mystery to an active murder investigation. For the first time, Tom is directly implicated: the victim was someone he knew and tutored, and he now fears interrogation. It deepens the tension, raises the stakes, and sets up a possible confrontation with law enforcement. Alison’s watchfulness also plants seeds of doubt about Tom’s character, preparing readers for future revelations.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Tom react to the news of Brandi’s body being found, and what does that reveal about his state of mind?
Tom immediately feels sick and leans against the wall, wishing he smoked. His attempt to downplay his connection to Brandi and his memory of his own healing abdomen wound show he is terrified of being linked to the murder. His reaction suggests he knows more than he is letting on.

2. Why does Tom get angry when Slug says Brandi “isn’t so much anymore”?
Tom’s anger stems from guilt and possibly from a protective feeling toward Brandi. Slug’s crude joke dehumanizes a murdered girl, and Tom’s outburst may also be a defensive mechanism to mask his own discomfort about his relationship with her.

3. What role does Alison’s silent stare play in this chapter?
Alison’s staring makes Tom’s skin crawl and highlights the theme of suspicion. She previously brought up Tom’s tutoring of Brandi, and now her watchfulness suggests she suspects Tom of involvement. It increases the pressure on Tom and signals that not everyone trusts him.