Chapter 107 Summary: The Yearbook Clue
⚠️ 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
Chapter 107 follows Jane and Jimmy as they process the shooting of Jane’s ex-husband, Martin. Back on Long Island, they sit at Jimmy’s bar, drinking coffee and talking. Jimmy insists Jane needs full-time security, but Jane argues Jimmy, Ben, and even the dog are more at risk. She believes Sonny wants Rob Jacobson to beat the rap and is using the killings to torture her. Jimmy speculates the same shooter may have killed the two earlier families for Sonny. Jane feels responsible for not taking Martin’s previous troubles seriously; Jimmy counters that Martin was never shot before when asking for money. He views Martin’s death as payback for Jane putting Sonny on the witness stand—an “Untouchables” style retaliation. Jane worries about Jimmy’s safety, but he declines to help find Sonny again. Jimmy offers to have his men watch Ben discreetly, paid for by Rob Jacobson. They note that Brigid is back at the Meier Clinic, flown there by Rob, who claimed he has feelings for her (though he added a crass remark). After coffee, Jimmy drives Jane home, where Detective Danny Esposito waits on her steps with a to-go coffee and a thick padded envelope. Danny jokes about hacking Jane’s phone to know she’d be there. Inside the envelope is a yearbook from Garden City High—Morgan Carson’s school. Danny has bookmarked Morgan’s personal yearbook page, which shows photos of her in happier times: Halloween, track, prom, beach. At the bottom, a football game photo captures Morgan with friends. Danny points out a figure two rows behind Morgan: Eric Jacobson.
Key Events
- Jane and Jimmy discuss Martin’s murder and the consistent pattern of shootings.
- Jimmy offers to provide security for Ben using Rob Jacobson’s money.
- Jane learns Brigid has returned to the Meier Clinic.
- Danny Esposito arrives at Jane’s house with a yearbook.
- Danny reveals that Eric Jacobson is visible in a yearbook photo behind Morgan Carson at a football game.
Character Development
- Jane Smith: Feels guilty for Martin’s death and worries about those close to her. She shows resilience but is shaken.
- Jimmy: Acts as a steady, pragmatic ally. He dismisses Jane’s guilt and takes charge of protective measures. His refusal to help find Sonny suggests a blend of caution and self-preservation.
- Danny Esposito: Demonstrates resourcefulness and a touch of humor. He hacked Jane’s phone to track her and unearthed the key evidence from an old yearbook, showing his commitment to the case.
- Rob Jacobson: Appears briefly through dialogue as manipulative and crass, using Brigid’s return to the clinic to play on emotions.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Family Secrets: The yearbook photo hints at a hidden connection between the Jacobson family and Morgan Carson, suggesting a secret that has been overlooked.
- Retribution: Jimmy frames Martin’s murder as a direct consequence of Jane’s courtroom actions, reinforcing the theme that the legal battle has deadly personal costs.
- Contrasting Eras: The old-school yearbook evidence contrasts with modern digital investigation, symbolizing that crucial clues can be buried in plain sight.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter pivots the investigation from a general search for the shooter to a specific suspect—Eric Jacobson. The discovery of Eric in Morgan’s yearbook links the Jacobson family to the murdered teenager, potentially unlocking the motive behind the string of killings. It also deepens Jane’s personal stake: her client’s son may be involved with the victim of the case she is defending. The chapter raises the stakes for the next stage of discovery and trial preparation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Jimmy think Martin was killed?
Jimmy believes the murder is payback for Jane putting Sonny on the witness stand. He compares it to The Untouchables: one side sends someone to the hospital, the other sends someone to the morgue.
2. How does Danny Esposito obtain the yearbook?
Danny explains that after combing Morgan Carson’s social media with no results, he turned to an old-school source: her high school yearbook. He had bookmarked the page with Morgan’s personal section.
3. What specific piece of evidence does the yearbook contain?
The yearbook includes a football game photo from Garden City High. Two rows behind Morgan Carson and her friends is Eric Jacobson, revealing a direct link between the Jacobson family and the murder victim.