Chapter 84 Summary and Analysis: A Risky Plan to Subpoena Sonny Blum
⚠️ 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 finding nothing useful at Allen Reese’s home, the team leaves the scene to Southampton police. They stop at Fellingham’s for burgers and beers. Chief Carlos Quintero walks Jane to her car and asks about Reese. Jane reveals that Bobby Salvatore, a friend of Reese, worked for Sonny Blum, and hints that Blum likely ordered Reese’s murder over a debt. Quintero suspects Blum’s crew is responsible. Later at the bar, Jane, Jimmy, and Detective Esposito discuss the case. Jane admits she doesn’t believe Sonny murdered the Carsons but needs to offer another suspect at trial. She devises a plan to have Jimmy serve a subpoena on Sonny, even though Sonny has threatened to kill them both. Esposito jokingly asks Jane out again, but she declines.
Key Events
- The team wraps up at Reese’s home and hands the scene to local police.
- Jane and colleagues go to Fellingham’s for food and drinks.
- Chief Quintero questions Jane about Reese and Sonny’s involvement.
- Jane confirms Bobby Salvatore’s connection to Sonny’s crew.
- Quintero suggests Sonny is behind the recent killings; Jane agrees.
- At the bar, Jane reveals her true motive: she needs an alternative suspect for the Carson murders to help Rob Jacobson.
- She asks Jimmy to subpoena Sonny, ignoring Sonny’s threats.
- Esposito and Jimmy tease Jane about her toughness and their affection for her.
Character Development
- Jane: Displays relentless determination to protect her client, even if it means manipulating evidence or framing a dangerous man. Her playful camaraderie with Jimmy and Esposito shows a lighter side amid the tension.
- Jimmy: Loyal but cautious; he reminds Jane of the risks but agrees to serve the subpoena.
- Danny Esposito: Maintains professional boundaries while offering comic relief; his repeated attempts to date Jane underscore his admiration for her.
- Chief Carlos Quintero: Sharp and direct, he doesn’t hide his suspicion of Sonny Blum and respects Jane’s informed instincts.
- Sonny Blum (offstage): Emerging as a persistent threat and a possible tool for Jane’s scheme.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Justice versus Framing: Jane plans to implicate Sonny for a crime she doubts he committed, raising questions about the ethics of using a guilty man to save an innocent one.
- Loyalty and Manipulation: Jane’s willingness to risk her own safety and bend rules highlights her fierce loyalty to Rob Jacobson.
- The Underworld’s Code: Quintero’s discussion of “button work” and debt collection reinforces the shadowy economy driving violent crimes.
- Casual Masculinity: The bar scene and banter emphasize the male-dominated environment Jane operates in, contrasting her authority with their affectionate teasing.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 84 marks a critical turning point: Jane moves from investigation to active manipulation of legal process. Her decision to subpoena Sonny escalates the danger and sets up a high-stakes confrontation. It also deepens the moral ambiguity of her character, as she pursues a second suspect not because she believes in his guilt but because she needs a narrative to exonerate her client. This chapter tightens the connection between the Reese murder and the Carson case, hinting that the same corrupt network may link both.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Jane want to subpoena Sonny Blum even though she doubts he committed the Carsons’ murders?
Jane needs to present an alternative plausible suspect at Rob Jacobson’s trial. She believes that if Sonny is under the spotlight, the jury may see a reasonable doubt. She is willing to use Sonny’s known criminal behavior to create doubt, regardless of his actual guilt for the Carson case.
2. What does Chief Quintero’s conversation reveal about the criminal network?
Quintero confirms that Bobby Salvatore, a debt collector for Sonny’s crew, was a friend of Allen Reese. This suggests that Reese’s murder was likely a debt-related hit ordered by Sonny. The conversation reveals a tight-knit underworld where violence is used to enforce payments and eliminate informants.
3. How does the dynamic between Jane, Jimmy, and Esposito evolve in this chapter?
Their relationship becomes more personal and playful, with Esposito openly flirting and Jimmy joking about Jane’s toughness. Despite the levity, they remain a cohesive investigative unit. Jimmy’s willingness to carry out the subpoena shows his trust in Jane’s judgment, even when he disagrees. Esposito’s role as a team player balances official police procedure with Jane’s unofficial tactics.