Chapter 37: Coordinating an Arrest and Uncovering a Decades-Old Crime
⚠️ 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
In Chapter 37, Sheriff Joanna Brady returns to her office and begins coordinating the arrest of Stephen Roper. She first calls Bisbee Police Chief Alvin Bernard to inform him that Roper—known locally as "Señor Santa Claus" from Hands Across the Border—is the prime suspect in Xavier Delgado's death and has physical evidence linking him to a 1962 North Dakota homicide. Joanna explains that Roper may attempt to flee through Bisbee, and she proposes using the Traffic Circle as a controlled arrest point, blocking all entrances and exits with fire trucks. Chief Bernard agrees and arranges an early dismissal of Lowell School to avoid a lockdown. Joanna then calls her husband Butch to warn him about the early dismissal, and her next call is to Sheriff Ed Cox of Callaway County, Missouri, who details the 1977 case of Lucianne Highsmith. Lucianne was strangled, dumped in a reservoir, and was missing a shoelace—a detail that matches Roper’s pattern. Joanna shares the full scope of the investigation, linking Roper to crimes from the 1950s onward. Chief Bernard later confirms that school buses will arrive by 1:30 p.m. and that fire trucks can be positioned within five minutes. The chapter ends with Joanna watching the clock, knowing the longest forty-five minutes of her life are ahead.
Key Events
- Joanna calls Chief Alvin Bernard and discloses that Stephen Roper is the prime suspect in Xavier Delgado’s homicide and is linked to a 1962 murder in North Dakota.
- She requests Bernard’s help to block the Traffic Circle in Bisbee as a potential arrest location, using fire department trucks to seal all exits.
- Bernard arranges an early dismissal for Lowell School, where Joanna’s son Dennis attends sixth grade, to prevent a lockdown during police activity.
- Joanna informs her husband Butch about the likely early dismissal without revealing the operation details.
- Joanna speaks with Sheriff Ed Cox of Callaway County, Missouri, who describes the 1977 unsolved case of Lucianne Highsmith: she was strangled, her body found in a reservoir, and one shoelace was missing—a signature detail that aligns with Roper’s methods.
- Joanna explains to Sheriff Cox that the current investigation involves a serial killer active since the 1950s, and they discuss locating Lucianne’s surviving sister.
- Chief Bernard reports back: buses will arrive by 1:30 p.m., and six fire trucks can be deployed within five minutes of notification to block the circle.
- The chapter closes with Joanna waiting anxiously for the next forty-five minutes.
Character Development
Sheriff Joanna Brady: Demonstrates thorough operational planning and interagency communication. She takes charge of a complex arrest scenario, balancing public safety (school children) with tactical advantage. Her ability to build trust with other law enforcement leaders—Alvin Bernard and Ed Cox—shows her diplomatic skills and growing authority. She also prioritizes keeping her family informed without compromising security.
Chief Alvin Bernard: Shifts from surprise at Roper’s alleged crimes to active cooperation. He quickly adapts to the need for secrecy (referring to Roper as “the subject”) and efficiently coordinates school dismissal and fire department assets. His loyalty to Joanna and the investigation is evident.
Sheriff Ed Cox: Represents a smaller, rural jurisdiction that rarely deals with homicide. He is professional and cooperative, sharing details of the 1977 case without hesitation. His willingness to search for the victim’s sister shows dedication.
Butch Dixon: Appears briefly but provides emotional support, expressing hope for a safe arrest. His brief dialogue (“Good luck then, and be safe”) underscores his role as Joanna’s anchor.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Appearances Versus Reality
Stephen Roper is known in the Bisbee community as "Señor Santa Claus" and a Rotary Club speaker—a figure of goodwill. Joanna reveals he is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” This contrasts his public persona with the evidence of serial murder stretching back decades.
Interagency Cooperation
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of collaboration between county sheriff, city police, fire department, school administration, and a distant Missouri sheriff’s office. Joanna’s coordination demonstrates how modern law enforcement must work across jurisdictions.
Protection of Innocents
Joanna’s concern for Lowell School—where her own son is a student—drives the decision for early dismissal rather than a lockdown. This reflects the theme of safeguarding children from the ripple effects of violent crime.
The Significance of Small Details
The missing shoelace in both the 1962 North Dakota case and the 1977 Missouri case serves as a linking motif. A seemingly trivial object becomes the key evidence tying a serial killer to multiple murders across decades.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the investigation: Joanna moves from suspicion to coordinated action. It solidifies Stephen Roper as a serial killer active since at least the 1950s by connecting him to a third victim (Lucianne Highsmith) in a different state. The chapter also raises the stakes by placing Joanna’s son in potential danger, making the arrest operation personal. The detailed planning for the Traffic Circle arrest foreshadows the climax of the manhunt.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Joanna request an early dismissal for Lowell School rather than a lockdown?
Joanna believes that an early dismissal will cause less backlash than a lockdown. She instructs Chief Bernard to offer the school superintendent a choice, and correctly predicts he will choose early dismissal because it is less disruptive and avoids alarming parents.
2. What detail from the 1977 Lucianne Highsmith case links it to Stephen Roper?
Lucianne Highsmith was found strangled in a reservoir, and she was missing one shoelace. In both the recent Xavier Delgado case and the 1962 North Dakota homicide, a shoelace was also missing, indicating Roper’s consistent method of using a shoelace as a weapon or keepsake.
3. How does Joanna’s conversation with Sheriff Ed Cox expand the scope of the investigation?
Sheriff Cox provides details of an unsolved 1977 murder from Callaway County, Missouri. Joanna realizes that Roper may have been killing since the 1950s, not just the 1960s as previously thought. This expands the timeline and geographic range of the serial killer investigation, suggesting many more victims may exist.