Chapter 132: Verdict and Resignation
⚠️ 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
Burton Pearce sits in the elegant living room of the vice presidential residence with Ransom Faulkner when the guilty verdict for Cole is announced on television. Pearce’s first thoughts go to President Maddy, but he quickly shifts to his own position. He turns off the TV and moves to where Faulkner is being fitted for an expensive suit by his longtime tailor, Louie. Faulkner, still gaunt but regaining some color, jokes about saving money on the suit. Pearce insists the plan can continue—Tess Hardy will appeal, and they will delay the Grand Bargain announcement until the news cycle passes. Faulkner expresses disbelief that the First Gentleman is in jail for murder. Pearce dismisses the tailor and an aide named Sean informs them that the president is calling. Pearce takes the call on speakerphone. President Maddy’s voice is cold and flat. She asks about Faulkner, then reveals she intends to resign. The chapter ends with the weight of her decision settling on the room.
Key Events
- The guilty verdict for Cole is announced on TV.
- Pearce dismisses the appeal as a temporary setback and reassures Faulkner.
- A call from President Maddy interrupts the meeting.
- Maddy states she is resigning, stunning both Pearce and Faulkner.
Character Development
- Burton Pearce shows his instinct for political survival: he thinks of both the president and himself, then immediately pivots to damage control. He is calm and controlling, dismissing the tailor and managing the situation.
- Ransom Faulkner reveals his frail health and a sense of hopelessness (“save the money on the suit”). He still cares about Maddy (“How’s Cole holding up?”) but lacks Pearce’s optimism.
- Maddy Sterling (the president) speaks with cold determination. Her resignation is a sudden, drastic step that suggests the verdict has shaken her deeply.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here
- Power and vulnerability: The verdict strips the First Gentleman of immunity and exposes the administration’s fragility. The VP’s suit fitting symbolizes the expected transition of power now thrown into doubt.
- Public image versus truth: Pearce prioritises controlling the news cycle over reality, highlighting the theme of political spin.
- Loyalty and self-preservation: Pearce’s reaction (thoughts for Maddy, then himself) and Faulkner’s concern for Cole illustrate competing loyalties within the administration.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a major turning point: the verdict is a catastrophic blow to the presidency, and Maddy’s resignation signals that the administration may collapse. Pearce’s attempt to manage the fallout and Faulkner’s passive reaction set up the political crisis that will define the remaining chapters. It deepens the personal stakes for all three characters.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Pearce insist the verdict is not the end?
Pearce believes the conviction can be appealed and that delaying the Grand Bargain announcement will allow the news cycle to move on, minimising political damage. - What does President Maddy’s tone reveal about her state of mind?
Her cold, flat voice indicates she is emotionally shut down or resolved; her blunt resignation suggests she feels the verdict has made her position untenable. - How does Faulkner’s physical state mirror the political situation?
Faulkner is gaunt but regaining color; like the administration, he appears to be recovering but is suddenly confronted by a devastating setback. He lacks the energy to fight back.
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