Chapter 37 (Chapter 36): The Interrogation — 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
After Alison’s disappearance, the police summon students for questioning. Tom is called in early, higher on the list than before. Chief Driscoll, tense and grim, leads the interrogation. He reveals that Alison left her home voluntarily—no signs of a break-in—implying she opened the door for someone she knew. Tom denies knowing anything, but he slips and refers to Alison in the past tense (“didn’t know her”). The chief catches the error. He also notes that Alison’s friends said she hated Tom and was trying to break up his relationship with Daisy. Tom claims he was at home all night with his father, but his mother is out of town. Driscoll plans to verify the alibi and tells Tom he will now drive Daisy home from school himself, signaling his distrust.
Key Events
- Tom is called to the principal’s office for questioning about Alison’s disappearance.
- Chief Driscoll details that Alison left her bed without a struggle, suggesting she knew her abductor.
- Tom hesitates when asked if he knows a reason Alison might have left, then lies.
- Tom accidentally uses the past tense when referring to Alison (“didn’t know her”).
- Driscoll reveals that Alison’s friends claim she hated Tom and wanted Daisy to break up with him.
- Tom provides a weak alibi: home all night with only his father (mother is out of town).
- Driscoll says he will call Tom’s father to verify.
- The chief announces he will pick up Daisy from school, ending Tom’s role as her escort.
Character Development
Tom
Tom’s discomfort and guilt are palpable. He struggles to maintain a composed face, hesitating, sweating, and slipping in his word choice. His lie about his alibi and his unwillingness to share any information—even though he surely knows something—paints him as a suspect. The chapter deepens the reader’s suspicion of Tom’s involvement in the crimes.
Chief Driscoll
Driscoll is sharp and methodical. He notices the past-tense error immediately, has done his homework on Tom’s relationship with Alison, and asserts his authority by removing Tom from proximity to Daisy. He is determined to solve the case, both for the victims and for his own professional standing.
Alison and Daisy (off-page)
Alison’s hatred of Tom is confirmed through the chief’s research, and Daisy remains an object of protection. Their off-page presence influences the interrogation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Past Tense Slip
Tom’s accidental use of “didn’t know her” instead of “don’t know her” is a classic narrative device that reveals subconscious guilt or knowledge. It symbolizes Tom’s internal acknowledgment that Alison is no longer alive, even if he hasn’t admitted it aloud.
Interrogation and Deception
The chapter highlights the tension between truth and lies. Tom’s hesitations and inconsistent story contrast with Driscoll’s growing certainty. The motif of being “watched” or “interrogated” recurs throughout the novel.
Protection and Control
Driscoll’s decision to drive Daisy himself shifts the power dynamic. Tom is no longer trusted to be near the chief’s daughter, reinforcing the theme of authority figures taking control when danger is perceived.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the investigation. Tom becomes a prime suspect, not only because of his behavior but because the chief now actively works to limit his contact with Daisy. The past-tense slip and the revelation of Alison’s enmity toward Tom give readers strong circumstantial evidence against him. The chapter also raises the stakes: if the chief is suspicious, it’s only a matter of time before the truth unravels.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Chief Driscoll note that Alison “opened her door for somebody she knew”? What does this imply about the investigation?
The absence of forced entry implies that Alison trusted her abductor. This directs suspicion toward someone in her social circle, making Tom and other classmates likely subjects. It also suggests the crime was premeditated rather than random.
2. Tom slips and uses the past tense when speaking about Alison. How does this affect the reader’s view of him?
The slip suggests that Tom already considers Alison dead, even though no body has been found. For the reader, this is a strong hint that Tom knows more than he admits, deepening the mystery and his potential guilt.
3. At the end of the chapter, Chief Driscoll says he will drive Daisy home. What does this decision reveal about his state of mind?
Driscoll’s decision shows he no longer trusts Tom around his daughter. It reveals his protective instincts and his belief that Tom may be a danger. It also puts a barrier between Tom and Daisy, raising the emotional stakes for Tom’s character.