Chapter 71 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
The chapter opens with the arrival of a package at the Hawthorne house, delivered by one of Oren’s men. Everyone immediately understands who sent it and what he wants, though no one says the name aloud. Libby asks Avery if everything is okay, and Avery shakes her head—this is clearly not okay.
Oren performs a security screen on the package before handing it over. Inside is a gift box large enough to hold a sweater, and within that box are thirteen letter-sized envelopes. Each envelope contains a clear, thin plastic sheet with an abstract black-and-white design inked onto it. Looking at any single sheet in isolation is like an inkblot test—meaningless on its own.
Jameson suggests stacking the sheets, and all four Hawthorne brothers gather around Avery as she begins to layer them. But it is not as simple as just piling them up. Each sheet can be oriented four ways—up or down, front or back—so Avery must use her fingertips to feel which side has the printed ink and then match the patterns in the lower left corner, working quickly and methodically.
As she stacks the sheets, a picture emerges: a black-and-white photograph of Alisa Ortega lying on a dirt floor, her head lolled to one side, her eyes closed. Jameson observes that she is alive but unconscious. Nash reacts with raw emotion, calling her “Lee-Lee” and losing his usual calm.
Avery, feeling the pressure of Blake’s manipulation, asks whether there is any chance Alisa is in on it. Nash answers with ferocity that there is none. Jameson agrees, saying Blake took Alisa just as he took Toby. Grayson, with an intensity Avery has not seen in months, vows to destroy Blake.
Avery reflects on Tobias Hawthorne’s warning not to trust anyone, and she notes that Alisa and her firm have a lot to lose if Avery does not agree to a trust. But Nash insists Alisa is loyal to the old man, and Libby offers him comfort, leading to a brief exchange about how people who matter never stop mattering.
Avery realizes that Oren had assigned bodyguards to Max and brought Thea and Rebecca to the house, but Alisa was not on lockdown. She calls Alisa repeatedly, but there is no answer. She asks Oren if they can call the police now, since Alisa is clearly alive and the photograph is proof of foul play. Oren explains that Blake will have people high up in local police departments, and Avery’s own connections have been weakened by recent transfers. She asks about the FBI, but no one replies—without Alisa to pull the strings, Avery has no one in her corner.
Nash says Alisa would not want them to involve the authorities, citing optics. Avery pushes back, but Nash insists he cares about many things. Libby asks fiercely what they must do to get Alisa back, and Avery answers: they need to find a body—or what is left of one after forty years. Nash demands an explanation, and the chapter ends on that cliffhanger.
Key Events
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A package from Vincent Blake arrives, containing thirteen envelopes with plastic sheets that, when stacked, form a photograph of Alisa Ortega unconscious on a dirt floor.
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Nash reacts emotionally, showing his deep concern for Alisa, and insists she is not involved in Blake’s scheme.
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Jameson and Grayson confirm that Blake took Alisa as he took Toby, and Grayson vows to destroy Blake.
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Avery realizes Oren did not place a bodyguard on Alisa, leaving her vulnerable.
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Avery’s repeated calls to Alisa go unanswered, and Oren reveals that Blake has infiltrated local police departments.
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Avery’s FBI connections are useless without Alisa, leaving her isolated.
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Nash says Alisa would not want the authorities involved, and Libby asks what they must do.
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Avery states they need to find a body—or what remains of one after forty years—implying a connection to Toby’s fate.
Character Development
Avery shows her strategic mind and guilt. She immediately questions Alisa’s loyalty, but then hates herself for letting Blake get into her head. She also demonstrates her growing understanding of power dynamics, realizing that without Alisa she has no one to pull strings for her. Her decision to focus on finding a body shows her willingness to confront the grim reality of Blake’s game.
Nash reveals a vulnerable side. His usual calm breaks when he sees Alisa’s photo, and he uses the nickname “Lee-Lee.” His insistence that Alisa is loyal and his comment about caring about many things show that he is not as detached as he often appears. His refusal to involve the police, citing optics, suggests he is thinking about the family’s reputation and Alisa’s wishes.
Grayson displays a fierce protective instinct. His vow to destroy Blake is the most intense reaction we have seen from him in months, indicating that Alisa’s kidnapping has reignited his anger and determination.
Jameson remains observant and calm, quickly suggesting the stacking method and confirming that Alisa is alive. His comment that Blake took her like Toby shows he is connecting the dots.
Libby steps forward as a source of support, physically comforting Nash and asking the practical question of what they must do. Her fierce tone shows she is fully invested in the fight.
Oren is shown to be fallible. He had secured other people close to Avery but overlooked Alisa, a mistake that has serious consequences. His admission that Blake has people in the police and that Avery’s FBI connections are gone underscores how isolated they are.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Loyalty – The chapter revolves around whether Alisa can be trusted. Avery’s doubt is a direct result of Blake’s manipulation, but Nash and Jameson reaffirm her loyalty. The theme is also present in Nash’s comment that people who matter never stop mattering, and in the fact that Avery’s only real ally in the outside world is Alisa.
Power and Corruption – Blake’s ability to infiltrate the police and neutralize Avery’s connections shows how power can corrupt institutions. The chapter highlights how Blake uses his resources to box Avery in, cutting off her options.
Sacrifice – The need to find a body—or what remains of one after forty years—suggests a willingness to confront the past and make sacrifices to save Alisa. This also ties to Toby’s fate and the legacy of Tobias Hawthorne.
Checkmate – Avery explicitly thinks of the situation as a chess move: “Check.” Blake is boxing her in, and the chapter ends with Avery making a move to counter, but the game is far from over.
Legacy – The reference to a body after forty years points to Toby’s disappearance and the long-buried secrets of the Hawthorne family. Avery’s task is to uncover that legacy to save Alisa.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter raises the stakes dramatically by taking Alisa out of play. Alisa has been Avery’s legal and strategic lifeline, and her kidnapping leaves Avery vulnerable and isolated. The chapter also reveals Blake’s reach—he has compromised the police and neutralized Avery’s FBI contacts, leaving her with no official recourse. The decision to find a body after forty years connects the current crisis to the novel’s central mystery of Toby’s fate, suggesting that the key to saving Alisa lies in uncovering the truth about the past. The chapter also deepens Nash’s character, showing his emotional investment in Alisa, and sets up a new objective for the group: locate Toby’s remains to understand Blake’s endgame.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Avery initially suspect Alisa might be involved with Blake?
Avery’s suspicion stems from Tobias Hawthorne’s warning not to trust anyone, and from the fact that Alisa and her firm have a lot to lose if Avery does not agree to a trust. Blake’s manipulation has gotten into Avery’s head, making her question even her most loyal ally.
- What does Oren reveal about Blake’s influence over law enforcement?
Oren says Blake will have someone—possibly multiple people—high up in all local police departments. He also notes that Avery’s FBI connections are gone because of recent transfers, meaning she has no one to turn to without Alisa.
- What is the significance of Avery’s statement about finding a body?
Avery says they need to find a body—or what’s left of one after forty years—which implies they must locate Toby’s remains. This suggests that Blake’s game is tied to the old mystery of Toby’s death, and that uncovering that truth is the only way to save Alisa.