Chapter 70 Summary: Bing's Military Past and Devine's Reflections
⚠️ 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
Travis Devine phones Campbell to investigate Benjamin Bing's military service after spotting a Purple Heart pinned to Bing's chest in a video of Wilbur Kingman's funeral. Devine reflects on his own West Point graduation ring and the abbreviated military career it symbolizes. He then drives Alex to Bangor; they discuss their intimate night together. Devine brings up the funeral video and asks Alex about Bing's apparent military background. Alex claims not to know Bing was in the military and becomes defensive. When Devine presses further, she shuts down completely, and the remainder of the drive passes in tense silence.
Key Events
- Devine calls Campbell and requests a deep dive into Benjamin Bing's service record.
- Devine reflects on his West Point ring, its symbolism, and the ring-melt ceremony, feeling his own military career was cut short.
- Devine picks up Alex and they drive to Bangor, discussing the previous night.
- Devine reveals he watched a video of Wilbur Kingman's funeral, which shows Bing talking with Earl.
- Devine notes that Bing was wearing a Purple Heart and asks Alex if she knew about his military past.
- Alex denies knowing, grows defensive, and refuses to discuss Bing further.
- The drive concludes in strained silence.
Character Development
- Travis Devine: Devine’s introspection about his West Point ring reveals deep personal disappointment and a lingering sense of lost purpose. His persistence in questioning Alex – repeating the same query to see if new details emerge – shows his investigative stubbornness and growing distrust of those around him.
- Alex: Alex’s evasiveness regarding Bing’s military service, combined with her sharp “Didn’t you ask me that before?” retort, suggests she may be withholding information. Her earlier vulnerability during their intimate encounter now seems at odds with her guardedness.
- Benjamin Bing (off-page): The newly discovered Purple Heart establishes Bing as a former soldier, a fact no one mentioned to Devine. This omission deepens the mystery surrounding his character.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Military Legacy: Devine’s ring and Bing’s Purple Heart serve as tangible symbols of military service and sacrifice. Devine’s reflection on the “Long Gray Line” and the ring-melt ceremony underscores his painful separation from that brotherhood.
- Secrecy and Deception: The video of Wilbur Kingman’s funeral is a new piece of evidence that directly involves Alex. Her claim of ignorance about Bing’s military past – despite being present at the same event – raises questions about how much she truly knows.
- Trust vs. Suspicion: The chapter contrasts the intimacy Devine and Alex shared the previous night with the suspicion that now hangs between them. Devine’s relentless questioning erodes the trust they were building.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 70 advances the investigation by linking Benjamin Bing to a military background, a crucial new clue. It also heightens the emotional tension between Devine and Alex, suggesting that their personal relationship may be compromised by the secrets she appears to hold. Devine’s personal reflections add depth to his character and remind the reader of the cost of his own abbreviated career.
Study Questions and Answers
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What does Devine’s reflection on his West Point ring reveal about his character?
Answer: The ring symbolizes Devine’s lost future as an Army officer. His meditation on the ring-melt ceremony and his feeling that he no longer has the right to donate his ring show deep regret and a sense of personal failure. -
Why does Alex react defensively when Devine questions her about Bing?
Answer: Alex claims she does not remember Bing’s military background and seems uncomfortable with the topic. Her sharp retort (“Didn’t you ask me that before?”) indicates she may be hiding something or wishes to avoid the subject altogether. -
How does the video of Wilbur Kingman’s funeral connect to the present investigation?
Answer: The video places Bing and Earl together in a private conversation shortly before Kingman’s funeral ends and shows Bing wearing a Purple Heart. This visual evidence suggests a historical link between Bing, Earl, and possibly Kingman’s death, which may be relevant to the current murders.