Chapter 87 Summary: After de Leon, Strike and Robin Navigate Injury and Tension
⚠️ 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
After leaving Richard de Leon at Clos de Camille, Robin and Strike find a pub in Sark. Strike orders an alcoholic beer to manage his pain, and Robin drinks tonic water. They confirm that de Leon's alibi for the night of the vault murder holds up, meaning their prime suspect for the Wright killing is no longer viable. They consider the possibility that the dead man might be an unknown victim, but no one has claimed him. Strike deduces that “Oz” is not the man Branfoot hired to kill de Leon; Shanker was misled. As rain falls, they discuss family: Robin forgets to call her mother about her nephew Dirk's birth complications, and Strike mentions his strained relationship with half-brother Al. Robin notices her own flinch at pregnancy talk, and Strike wonders if she is about to cement her relationship with Murphy. Robin insists on shopping alone so Strike can rest his leg. She returns with groceries for spaghetti carbonara, wine, and medical supplies. They walk slowly to the B&B, the Old Forge, as night falls. Along the way, Strike tells Robin that former detective Eric Wardle might join the agency. Robin remembers Murphy dislikes Wardle but decides it's not his decision. They reach the B&B; Robin offers Strike the ground-floor bedroom. Their fingers touch when she takes the shopping bag, and Robin feels a thrill of excitement and panic.
Key Events
- Strike and Robin confirm Richard de Leon's alibi, eliminating him as a suspect for both the vault murder and Wright's death.
- Strike realizes that the supposed killer “Oz” is not the real hitman; Shanker was fooled.
- Robin forgets to call her mother regarding nephew Dirk's birth and a paralysed arm.
- Strike mentions his unresolved conflict with half-brother Al over reconciling with their father Rokeby.
- Robin insists on buying groceries alone, ignoring Strike's protests, to let his leg rest.
- Robin returns with food, wine, painkillers, and wipes for Strike's injuries.
- The two walk to the Old Forge in darkness, discussing Wardle's potential move to the agency.
- Robin feels a spark when their hands touch during the bag exchange.
Character Development
- Strike: Shows physical vulnerability—bruised face, swollen knee—and admits he looks “creaky.” His pride is wounded by Robin's care. He also opens up about family estrangement (Al, Rokeby) and actively seeks a business decision (hiring Wardle) despite his pain.
- Robin: Takes charge, deciding when and where to eat, shopping alone, and insisting on rest. Her internal flinch at baby talk hints at a personal conflict—possibly related to Murphy and her own desires. The thrill from the hand touch signals unresolved romantic tension with Strike.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Physical injury as vulnerability: The spade wound and twisted knee force Strike to depend on Robin, reversing their usual dynamic. The injury also mirrors past moments of weakness, like the staircase incident the previous year.
- Gender roles and caregiving: Robin steps into a nurturing role (cooking, medical care), but also asserts independence (“I’m not made of papier mâché”). Strike resists being treated like a “granddaughter,” highlighting masculinity under pressure.
- Secrets and unspoken feelings: Both characters keep internal thoughts hidden—Robin about her flinch and the thrill, Strike about his fear that Robin will commit to Murphy. The hand touch is a momentary breach that neither acknowledges.
- Isolation and intimacy: The dark, quiet lane on Sark contrasts with the chaotic investigation. The shared walk and simple domestic tasks create a space for private conversation and potential vulnerability.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides a necessary pause after the intense confrontation with de Leon. It deepens character arcs—Strike's physical limitations and familial wounds, Robin's suppressed desires and growing agency. The discussion of Wardle hints at future agency expansion, while the hand-touch moment rekindles the romantic subplot. The chapter also confirms that the vault killer remains unknown, pushing the mystery onto new possibilities.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Robin insist on shopping alone, despite Strike's offer to come?
She believes his leg needs rest after the long walk to the pub and the earlier pursuit of Danny de Leon. She also wants to assert her independence and capability, knowing he is in pain.
2. What does Strike suspect about Robin's reaction to his mention of “breeding”?
He notices a “slight external flinch” and wonders whether she already has news that would “cement her relationship with Murphy,” implying she might be pregnant or engaged.
3. What reason does Strike give for wanting to hire Eric Wardle?
Strike explains that Wardle is interested in leaving the police and that, as a subcontractor, he would pay for himself by allowing the agency to take on more work—even though Wardle would not expect CID-level salary.