Chapter 9 Summary, Analysis, and Study Guide
⚠️ 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
Chapter 9 opens with Avery deliberately keeping the existence of the mysterious disk from Eve. She rationalizes this decision by telling herself that not every mystery is an elaborate puzzle and that the disk might be unrelated to Toby's abduction. Still, feeling she owes Eve something, Avery asks Mrs. Laughlin to prepare a room for the newcomer. The moment Mrs. Laughlin sees Eve, she recognizes her as her great-granddaughter—there is no hiding who Eve is or that she belongs at Hawthorne House.
Hours later, alone in Tobias Hawthorne's study, Avery tells herself she is giving Jameson and Grayson space to process the trauma of seeing Eve. She triggers the hidden compartment in the old man's desk and retrieves a folder containing a drawing she made of a small coinlike disk, about the size of a quarter, engraved with concentric circles. She recalls that the last time she saw the actual disk, Toby snatched it from her hands and refused to answer her questions. She remembers a message Toby once wrote to her mother, saying that if she ever needed anything, she should go to Jackson, and that Toby had left something there—something worth knowing. Avery reflects that coming from the son of a billionaire, the phrase "you know what it's worth" is almost unfathomable.
Since Toby left, Avery and Jameson have researched art, ancient civilizations, rare coins, lost treasures, and great archaeological finds. They even looked into organizations like the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. But they have found no record of the disk anywhere, and Jameson's search of Hawthorne vacation properties turned up nothing meaningful. Avery thinks aloud about who knows about the disk, who knows what it's worth, and who even knows for certain that Toby is alive. She feels it is wrong that Jameson is not there asking these questions with her.
Without meaning to, she reaches back into the hidden compartment and pulls out another file—one that Tobias Hawthorne had assembled on her. She wonders if the old man knew about Eve. She suspects that if Tobias had known about Toby's daughter, she herself would not be there. The billionaire had chosen her largely for the effect it would have on his family, using her to force the boys to confront their issues and to pull Toby back onto the board. Avery thinks, "It should have been her."
A creak sounds behind her, and Xander steps out of the wall, announcing he comes in peace and with pie. Max follows him in. Xander is clearly upset that Avery kept Eve's existence a secret from him, especially given their close friendship and their shared games of Cookie Golf. He claims he excels at keeping secrets, though he admits he would have told Rebecca, Emily Laughlin's sister and his oldest friend. Avery acknowledges that she deliberately withheld the information, and Xander, after some banter, concedes that in retrospect it was a good call.
Avery's phone rings—it's Oren. He reports that a team was sent to the rendezvous point where Eve said she was supposed to meet Toby. There was no physical evidence of an altercation, but they found a record of a 911 call placed hours before Eve said she showed up. The call reported shots fired. By the time a patrol unit arrived, the scene was clear, and the incident was dismissed as fireworks or a car backfiring. Oren says his team is working on identifying the caller and any witnesses. In the meantime, he has assigned one of his men to shadow Eve for the duration of her stay at Hawthorne House. Avery asks if Oren thinks Eve is a threat. Oren replies that his job is to treat everyone like a threat, and he asks Avery to stay put and do nothing for twenty-four hours while his team investigates. He hints that Toby might not be the only target.
After hanging up, Avery considers Oren's request. Max and Xander discuss whether to cancel the welcome festivities. Avery decides not to cancel anything. She wants to get a feel for Eve, to determine if they can trust her—because if they can, Eve might know something Avery doesn't. Xander suggests that the best way to assess Eve's character is through a game of Chutes and Ladders.
Key Events
- Avery keeps the disk a secret from Eve and asks Mrs. Laughlin to prepare a room for her.
- Mrs. Laughlin recognizes Eve as her great-granddaughter, confirming Eve's identity and connection to the family.
- Alone in Tobias's study, Avery studies her drawing of the disk and recalls Toby's cryptic message about leaving something with Jackson.
- Avery and Jameson's extensive research on the disk has yielded no results.
- Avery examines Tobias's file on her and wonders if he knew about Eve, concluding that if he had, she wouldn't be there.
- Xander and Max discover Avery's secret about Eve; Xander is hurt but ultimately understands.
- Oren reports a 911 call about shots fired at the rendezvous point, with no physical evidence of an altercation.
- Oren assigns a security detail to shadow Eve and asks Avery to stay put for twenty-four hours.
- Avery decides to proceed with the welcome festivities, wanting to assess Eve herself.
Character Development
Avery continues to grapple with secrecy and trust. She withholds the disk's existence from Eve, justifying it as a precaution, but she also feels a sense of obligation toward Eve. Her internal conflict is evident as she questions who knows about the disk and whether Tobias knew about Eve. She shows a protective instinct, but also a willingness to take risks—she decides to keep Eve close rather than isolate her, indicating a shift toward proactive engagement.
Xander reveals his emotional vulnerability beneath his humor. He is genuinely hurt that Avery didn't confide in him, but he also demonstrates loyalty and understanding, eventually admitting that her secrecy was justified. His offer of pie and his suggestion of Chutes and Ladders as a means of assessment show his characteristic blend of levity and insight.
Eve remains an enigma, but her presence forces the family to confront unresolved trauma. Mrs. Laughlin's tearful recognition underscores Eve's legitimacy and the emotional weight she carries.
Oren is steadfast in his protective role, treating everyone as a potential threat while working to uncover the truth. His request for Avery to stay put highlights the tension between her desire for agency and the need for safety.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Secrecy are central. Avery's decision to hide the disk from Eve, and her earlier secrecy about Eve's existence from Xander, illustrate the difficulty of navigating trust in a family built on hidden agendas. The chapter explores the cost of keeping secrets and the potential value of sharing them.
The Disk serves as a symbol of unresolved mystery and hidden worth. Its concentric circles suggest layers of meaning yet to be uncovered. The phrase "you know what it's worth" ties the disk to legacy and inheritance, hinting at something of immense value—perhaps not just monetary.
Family Secrets are amplified by Mrs. Laughlin's recognition of Eve and Avery's speculation about Tobias's knowledge. The idea that Tobias might have used Avery as a tool to manipulate his family raises questions about agency and destiny.
Surveillance and Protection are introduced through Oren's decision to shadow Eve. This motif reflects the constant tension between safety and freedom, and the difficulty of determining who is a threat.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter advances the central mystery by introducing a concrete clue—the 911 call reporting shots fired—that suggests Toby's disappearance may involve violence. It also deepens the emotional stakes by confirming Eve's place in the family and forcing Avery to confront her own secrets. The chapter sets up a potential alliance or conflict with Eve, as Avery decides to keep her close rather than push her away. Additionally, the unresolved questions about the disk and Tobias's intentions keep the reader engaged and set the stage for future revelations.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Avery decide not to tell Eve about the disk, and what does this reveal about her character?
Avery withholds the disk because she isn't sure it's relevant and because she doesn't fully trust Eve yet. This reveals her cautious, analytical nature and her tendency to protect information until she can assess its significance. It also shows her internal conflict between wanting to trust Eve and needing to safeguard the mystery.
2. What does the 911 call about shots fired suggest about Toby's disappearance, and how does it change the investigation?
The 911 call indicates that there may have been violence at the rendezvous point, even though no physical evidence was found. This shifts the investigation from a simple missing-person case to a potential crime scene, raising the stakes and prompting Oren to assign a security detail to Eve. It also suggests that Toby might be in greater danger than previously assumed.
3. How does Xander's reaction to Avery's secrecy about Eve affect their friendship?
Xander is initially hurt that Avery didn't confide in him, but he ultimately understands her reasoning and even praises her judgment. This exchange strengthens their bond by demonstrating mutual respect and honesty, even when secrets are kept for protective reasons. It also highlights Xander's loyalty and his ability to move past personal feelings for the sake of the group.