Chapter summaries The Hamptons Lawyer James Patterson & Mike Lupica

Chapter 98: Ninety-Eight – Seeking Truth in the Carson House

⚠️ 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

Katherine Welsh rests the prosecution’s case on Friday without calling Claire Jacobson as a witness – Claire and her husband have finally been persuaded of the risks. After court, Rob Jacobson argues against calling Sonny Blum on Monday, but the defense lawyer insists it is her call, supported by Thomas McGoey. The lawyer obtains permission from District Attorney Welsh to visit the Carson house in Garden City. She walks through the lower level, then reluctantly goes upstairs, lingering in Morgan Carson’s room and Hank Carson’s study, reflecting on the brutal crime and her own quest for truth over victory. When she reaches the front hall to leave, she finds Eric Jacobson and Edmund McKenzie standing at the open door, staring up at her.

Key Events

  • Prosecution rests its case – Katherine Welsh ends her presentation without calling Claire Jacobson.
  • Disagreement over Sonny Blum – Rob Jacobson, the lawyer’s client, objects to calling Blum as a defense witness; the lawyer asserts her independence.
  • Crime scene visit authorized – Welsh grants permission; a Garden City police captain lets the lawyer inside.
  • Exploring the Carson house – The lawyer tours the rooms where Hank, Lily, and Morgan Carson were killed, experiencing the emotional weight of the scene.
  • Internal reflection – The lawyer acknowledges she wants the truth even if it means her client is guilty, and recalls a past conversation with Welsh about justice.
  • Unexpected arrival – Eric Jacobson and Edmund McKenzie appear at the open front door as the lawyer prepares to leave.

Character Development

The Defense Lawyer

This chapter reveals a rare moment of vulnerability and moral clarity. The lawyer – a former cop and now attorney for Rob Jacobson – chooses to confront the murder scene alone, something she has avoided for months. Her internal monologue shows her grappling with the difference between winning a case and uncovering the truth. She admits to Welsh that she wants justice for the Carsons, not just an acquittal. Her decision to visit the house signals a shift from pure advocacy toward a deeper personal commitment to honesty.

Katherine Welsh

The prosecutor shows unexpected trust by allowing the defense lawyer into the crime scene. Her “long look” and admission that she may have misjudged the lawyer hint at a grudging respect and a shared desire for justice, even across adversarial lines.

Rob Jacobson

Though absent from the scene, Rob’s earlier argument with the lawyer underscores his controlling nature. He insists the lawyer still works for him, but she pushes back with a sports metaphor: “This is my house.” His refusal to listen to Stratton and McGoey’s advice reinforces his dangerous overconfidence.

Ben Kalinsky

The lawyer’s boyfriend appears only through a phone call. His calm response (“I was wondering when you were going to finally check that box”) shows he understands her professional obsessive side and supports her process.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Justice vs. Truth

The chapter centers on the conflict between courtroom victory and factual discovery. The lawyer tells Welsh, “We want the same thing from this trial … Justice for the Carsons,” and later thinks, “I don’t just want justice. I want the truth, even if it turns out that my client committed this truly hideous crime.” This tension drives her to confront the murder scene.

The Stillness of the Crime Scene

The Carson house is described as “suffocatingly quiet, and sad … the air thick and heavy.” The lawyer notes that nothing has been moved – stuffed animals, a Taylor Swift poster, the study – all frozen in time. This visual motif emphasizes the horror of the crimes and the unresolved grief. The lawyer wonders when a window was last opened, “allowing maybe even the ghosts to breathe.”

Penance and Redemption

The lawyer frames her visit as “penance for my sins,” and Jimmy jokes he needs a place like that. This suggests she feels guilt over some aspect of the case – perhaps for defending a man she suspects may be guilty, or for having stayed away from the scene for so long.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 98 marks an emotional and strategic turning point. The prosecution has rested, setting up the defense’s case starting Monday with Sonny Blum. More importantly, the lawyer’s decision to visit the Carson house alone moves the story from a purely legal contest to a personal quest for truth. The chapter deepens her character and raises the stakes: if she uncovers evidence that implicates Rob Jacobson, she may have to choose between professional duty and moral integrity.

The final image – Eric Jacobson and Edmund McKenzie waiting at the door – creates immediate tension. Their sudden arrival suggests they may have followed her, or that they have their own reasons for being at the crime scene. This cliffhanger propels the reader into Chapter 99.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does the defense lawyer insist on calling Sonny Blum as a witness, despite Rob Jacobson’s objections?
She needs to establish that Hank Carson bet large sums with Blum, to undermine the prosecution’s theory that gambling debts motivated the murders. Even if Blum claims Carson paid up before dying, the fact of the betting pattern is critical to the defense.

2. What does the lawyer hope to achieve by visiting the Carson house?
She wants to confront the reality of the crime, to understand the victims beyond the evidence presented in court. She tells Welsh she wants “justice for the Carsons,” but internally she admits she wants the truth – even if it exonerates her client or confirms his guilt. The visit also serves as a form of penance for her own discomfort with the case.

3. How does the chapter’s ending create suspense?
Eric Jacobson and Edmund McKenzie appear at the open door of the Carson house just as the lawyer is about to leave. Their presence is unexplained, raising questions: Did they follow her? Do they have access to the house? What do they intend to do? The reader is left with a direct threat or confrontation looming.

Navigation