Chapter summaries The Boyfriend Freida McFadden

Chapter 21 – Tom Under Questioning: Lies and Suspicion

⚠️ 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 – Complete and Chronological

Chapter Twenty takes place entirely during a school morning. Tom hears names called over the loudspeaker—first Brandi’s friends, then boys who had kissed her. When Thomas Brewer’s name is called, he panics and nearly trips on the way to the principal’s office. A classmate jokes that Tom fears Daisy will think he was dating Brandi, and others laugh, which momentarily reassures Tom that no one suspects him.

Between the third-floor English classroom and the first-floor office, Tom practices a confident smile, telling himself he is just one of many students being questioned. But when he sees Chief Driscoll—Daisy’s father—sitting in the principal’s office, his confidence evaporates. Being interrogated by the police chief is his worst nightmare.

The chief smiles and invites Tom to sit. He explains that they need to catch the monster who killed Brandi. Tom admits he used to tutor Brandi in math but says she skipped many sessions—a lie, as Brandi never skipped. Chief Driscoll mentions that Brandi told friends she had a crush on a boy and had plans to meet him the night she disappeared, but she never revealed his identity. Tom claims he was just the “dorky kid” tutoring her and had no idea. The chief seems to accept this, then invites Tom to dinner at his home, saying he trusts Tom. Tom accepts outwardly but vows internally that he will never go.

Key Events

  • Tom hears his name called over the loudspeaker and is terrified.
  • He walks to the principal’s office, trying to calm himself.
  • Chief Driscoll questions Tom about his relationship with Brandi.
  • Tom lies, saying Brandi skipped tutoring sessions.
  • The chief reveals Brandi had a secret crush and a planned meeting on the night she disappeared.
  • Tom denies any knowledge of Brandi’s private life.
  • Chief Driscoll invites Tom to dinner, implying he trusts him.
  • Tom accepts the invitation but secretly decides never to attend.

Character Development

  • Tom Brewer: This chapter solidifies Tom as a deceptive, calculating character. He lies effortlessly to the police chief, even about small details like Brandi’s attendance at tutoring. His internal panic contrasts with his outward calm, showing he is skilled at hiding his true nature. His refusal to ever go to dinner underscores his fear of being caught.
  • Chief Driscoll: Daisy’s father is presented as a trusting figure, perhaps foolishly so. He openly states he considers Tom “one of the good ones,” which sets up a dramatic irony: the reader knows Tom is involved with Brandi, while the chief is oblivious. His invitation to dinner could be a genuine gesture or a subtle trap—Tom himself is unsure.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here

  • Deception and Performance: Tom constantly performs innocence—practicing smiles, controlling his voice, lying about the tutoring sessions. The chapter highlights how easily he manipulates those in authority.
  • Trust and Betrayal: Chief Driscoll trusts Tom because he is dating Daisy. Tom betrays that trust by hiding his connection to the victim. The dinner invitation symbolizes a family trust that Tom plans to violate.
  • Fear of Exposure: Tom’s panic is rooted in the fear that his relationship with Brandi will come to light. The chapter builds tension around the question of how long he can maintain his facade.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is a turning point in the investigation arc. The police are actively searching for Brandi’s killer, and Tom is now a person of interest even if he isn’t a suspect yet. The chapter reveals Tom’s capacity for lying under pressure and his ability to read social cues to appear innocent. It also introduces Chief Driscoll as a key authority figure whose trust Tom must betray. The dinner invitation foreshadows a future confrontation, either at the Driscoll home or through the chief’s eventual discovery of the truth.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Question: Why does Tom panic when he hears his name called over the loudspeaker, but then feel reassured by his classmates’ laughter?
    Answer: Tom panics because he knows he has something to hide regarding Brandi. However, his classmates joke that Daisy will think he was dating Brandi, and the laughter implies no one seriously believes he was involved with her. That momentary reassurance makes him think he can bluff his way through the questioning.

  2. Question: What lie does Tom tell Chief Driscoll about the tutoring sessions, and why is it significant?
    Answer: Tom claims Brandi skipped many tutoring sessions. In truth, Brandi never skipped because she liked seeing him. The lie minimizes their connection and makes Tom seem less important to her. It also contradicts what Brandi’s friends might later reveal, setting up a potential inconsistency.

  3. Question: At the end of the chapter, Tom accepts the dinner invitation but vows never to go. What does this reveal about his state of mind?
    Answer: Tom’s acceptance is a survival tactic—he cannot refuse the police chief without arousing suspicion. His internal vow shows that he is acutely aware of the danger and plans to avoid any situation where he might be trapped or exposed. It reveals his paranoia and his strategic thinking about self-preservation.