Chapter 19: Rikki Montel and the Double Murder Revelation

⚠️ 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

Detective Sean uses a pretext arrest on two outstanding failure-to-appear warrants to bring in Rhonda Mae “Rikki” Montel, a fifty-year-old sex worker who had been identified by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria as a frequent companion of murder victim Gio Aggiunta. After processing and release, Rikki is interviewed by Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware. She admits to a year-and-a-half sexual relationship with Gio, describing him as a sweet, cute man who liked to cuddle. They met at the Waldorf and later partied at his Bel Air house with a pool. She last saw him months ago and is genuinely shocked when Milo tells her he is dead. Milo then shows her a photo of Meagin March. Rikki recognizes Meagin as part of a group of four former Vegas dancers who moved to Los Angeles together. She insists Meagin is gentle and incapable of violence. Milo reveals that Meagin was murdered alongside Gio at his house. Rikki is devastated, clutching her chest and realizing she could have been the victim.

Key Events

Bartender Katy Gantry points out Rhonda Montel to Sean, identifying her as a sex worker who had met Gio Aggiunta multiple times at the Waldorf bar.
Sean arrests Montel on two outstanding failure-to-appear warrants as a pretext to bring her in for questioning.
During the interview, Montel describes her sexual relationship with Gio, noting he was a good tipper, polite, and fond of cuddling.
Montel is visibly stunned and grief-stricken when Milo informs her of Gio's murder.
Milo shows Montel a photo of Meagin March; Montel identifies her as one of four Vegas dancers who relocated together, and insists Meagin is not dangerous.
Milo reveals that Meagin was murdered with Gio at his house, leaving Montel shaken and fearful for her own safety.

Character Development

Rhonda Mae “Rikki” Montel: Initially combative and flirtatious, she drops her guard when told of the murders, showing genuine compassion and vulnerability. Her self-preservation instincts surface when she trembles at the thought that she could have been the target.
Milo Sturgis: Demonstrates a strategic, almost surgical approach to interrogation—using a minor warrant to secure a witness and withholding critical information until the right moment. His calm delivery of the murder news maximizes emotional impact.
Alex Delaware: Observes and supports Milo, offering a gentle, non-threatening presence that encourages Montel to open up. His brief remark (“Not possible” when Montel asks if Milo was offended) shows his ability to disarm tension.
Sean (Detective): Executes the arrest cleanly, then remains in the background, allowing Milo to lead the interview. His earlier investigation at the Waldorf set up this crucial encounter.
Gio Aggiunta (through Rikki’s memories): Reinforced as a kind, unassuming man who engaged sex workers with respect and affection, making his murder even more puzzling.
Meagin March (through Rikki’s description): A gentle, non-violent woman who came from the same Vegas dance background as Rikki.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sex Work and Invisibility: Rikki and her friends operate in a shadow economy where they are seen by bartenders and clients but remain unacknowledged by authorities until needed. The chapter highlights the vulnerability of those who trade sex for money.
Mortality and Luck: Rikki’s repeated pulse-checking and her outburst “It could’ve been me” underscore the randomness of violence. Her survival feels accidental, not earned.
Pretext and Deception in Policing: Sean’s use of minor warrants to detain Rikki illustrates a pragmatic but ethically gray investigative tactic.
Female Solidarity: Despite their profession, the four dancers support each other. Rikki’s refusal to implicate the other women and her protective language (“No way Meg would hurt anyone”) reveals a code of loyalty.
The Body as Currency: Rikki’s performative gestures—crossing her legs, adjusting her dress, flashing lingerie—show how she weaponizes her sexuality even in a police interview, while Milo and Alex remain unmoved.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 19 provides the first direct witness who knew both victims outside of a criminal context. Rikki Montel humanizes Gio Aggiunta (as a man who liked to cuddle) and Meagin March (as a sweet dancer), making the double murder feel more personal and tragic. More importantly, Rikki’s testimony strongly suggests that the killer targeted the pair deliberately—not random violence. The fact that Rikki used Gio’s pool and could have been at the house on the night of the murders narrows the investigation: the killer may have been someone who knew Gio’s circle of sex workers. The chapter also deepens the novel’s exploration of class and privilege: a wealthy Bel Air man’s death is investigated aggressively, while the deaths of marginalized women (and the ongoing danger to Rikki) are treated as secondary.

Study Questions and Answers

Why did Sean arrest Rhonda Montel on outstanding warrants rather than simply asking her to come in for questioning?
Sean likely recognized that Rikki, as a sex worker wary of police, would not voluntarily cooperate. By using a legally valid arrest, he gave himself leverage to compel her presence while also creating a situation where she would feel pressured to talk in exchange for leniency on the traffic fines.
What does Rikki reveal about the group of four dancers from Vegas, and why is this information important to the investigation?
Rikki states that she and three other women—including Meagin March—moved to Los Angeles together from Las Vegas. Two have since left or died; only Rikki and the fourth (who found a wealthy patron) remain. This shows that Meagin was connected to a small, tight-knit network of women who all knew Gio. The killer may have access to this network, and Rikki’s identification of the fourth woman could lead to another potential witness or target.
How does Rikki’s reaction to the news of the double murder change the atmosphere of the interrogation?
Before learning of the deaths, Rikki is flirty, defiant, and in control. After Milo reveals that Gio and Meagin were killed together at Gio’s house, she physically collapses into shock—clutching her chest, checking her pulse, and weeping. The shift transforms the room from a adversarial police interview into a space of genuine grief and fear, reminding both detectives and readers that the victims were real people who leave behind bereaved friends.