Chapter 106 Summary: Strike's Desperate Call to Rokeby and Robin's Attack
⚠️ 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
Needing legal help to shut down Dominic Culpepper's false story about a paternity claim and a prostitute, Strike swallows his pride and visits his father Jonny Rokeby at his London townhouse. Rokeby immediately calls his high‑powered lawyer Denholm, who contacts the newspaper and gets the baby story withdrawn. During their tense conversation, Rokeby reveals new details about his past relationship with Leda Strike, defends his past financial arrangements, and offers emotional advice about not letting Robin go. While there, Strike receives a call from Robin: she was ambushed by a man wearing a green jacket who had placed a tracking device on her car. She fought him off with pepper spray, a passerby detained him, and the police now hold him—his driving licence identifies him as Wade King, possibly the same person who previously threatened her with a masonic dagger. Robin tells Strike that Ryan Murphy is coming to pick her up. After the call, Rokeby apologises for his past behaviour and asks to stay in touch; Strike cautiously agrees to have a beer together.
Key Events
- Strike arrives at Jonny Rokeby's house and asks for a lawyer referral.
- Rokeby calls Denholm, who quickly kills the paternity story and begins work on the false prostitute allegation.
- Strike refuses Rokeby's offers of money and insists on paying Denholm's fees himself.
- Rokeby explains why he stopped direct payments to Leda: Aunt Joan warned she was wasting money on drugs and boyfriends while Strike needed shoes.
- Rokeby reveals that he and Leda had sex more than once—about twenty times—contradicting Leda's account.
- Strike receives Robin's call: she was attacked by a man with a tracking device, used spray, and the attacker is now in custody.
- Robin says Ryan is coming to the police station; Strike is clearly unsettled by this.
- Rokeby, after hearing about Robin, warns Strike not to let her go and admits Pru thinks they belong together.
- Rokeby tearfully asks for a continuing relationship; Strike agrees to have a beer.
Character Development
- Cormoran Strike: Forced to seek help from the father he despises, Strike demonstrates pragmatism over pride. He remains resistant to Rokeby's money but accepts the lawyer's contact. His reaction to Robin's attack and to her naming Ryan shows his emotional investment, though he denies being with anyone. The chapter ends with a tentative step toward reconciliation.
- Jonny Rokeby: Initially brash and dismissive, Rokeby gradually reveals a more vulnerable side. He admits past mistakes, defends his handling of Leda's finances, and shares his own painful family history. His tearful request to know his son signals genuine regret and a desire for connection, not just public image.
- Robin Ellacott: Though not present, her phone call reveals her bravery and resourcefulness. She is shaken but capable, using pepper spray effectively and managing the police interview. Her decision to call Ryan over Strike underscores ongoing complexities in her personal life.
- Leda Strike (mentioned): Rokeby's revelations paint a more complicated picture of her—she was not a one‑night stand but a recurring presence in his life, and she misled Strike about the nature of their relationship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Pride and Vulnerability: Strike's reluctance to accept help from Rokeby contrasts with his need to save his agency. Rokeby's admission of failure—"I be'aved like a cunt"—shows that vulnerability can be a step toward repair.
- Family and Legacy: The chapter explores biological versus chosen family. Rokeby compares Strike to himself (self‑starters) while Strike identifies more with Ted. The epigraph from Housman ("The night my father got me / His mind was not on me") underscores the theme of absent fatherhood.
- Trust and Surveillance: The tracking device on Robin's car echoes earlier threats; the motif of being watched or followed runs through the novel. Culpepper's journalistic surveillance of Strike forms a parallel.
- Jukebox Symbolism: The electric guitar door knocker, the Deadbeats portrait, and references to Blue Öyster Cult all symbolise Rokeby's fame and the music world that shaped Strike's origins—a world he has always kept at arm's length.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 106 is a turning point on two fronts. First, the immediate legal crisis is defused: Denholm’s intervention kills the paternity story and puts Culpepper on notice, safeguarding the agency’s reputation. Second, the attack on Robin leads to the capture of a suspect (Wade King/Oz), potentially cracking a major thread of the investigation. Equally significant is the emotional breakthrough between Strike and Rokeby. For the first time, Rokeby offers a sincere apology and a request for ongoing contact, and Strike—despite his resistance—accepts. This opens the door for a possible future relationship and resolves a long‑standing personal subplot. The chapter also deepens the Strike–Robin dynamic: Robin turns to Ryan in her moment of need, and Rokeby’s blunt advice (“Don’t let Robin go”) forces Strike to confront his own feelings.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Strike decide to ask Rokeby for help despite their difficult history? Strike knows Culpepper’s story could ruin the agency, and he cannot quickly find a lawyer with the necessary connections and speed. Rokeby is the only person who can immediately reach a top solicitor like Denholm. Strike prioritises saving the partnership over his personal pride.
2. What does Rokeby reveal about his relationship with Leda Strike that contradicts Strike’s understanding? Rokeby insists that he and Leda had sex many times (“twenny times, probably”), not just once as Leda had told Strike. He also states that the encounter that produced Strike occurred in a side room, not in a public beanbag—a detail that had been exaggerated by gossip.
3. How does Robin’s phone call affect Strike’s emotional state and the chapter’s resolution? The call jolts Strike from his tension with Rokeby; he is visibly shaken by the news of the attack. When Robin mentions Ryan is coming for her, Strike’s silence indicates jealousy or hurt. The incident prompts Rokeby to deliver his heartfelt advice about Robin, which likely lingers in Strike’s mind as he agrees to meet again. The call also advances the plot by placing a suspect in custody.