Chapter 35 Summary: Sheriff Hudson Investigates the Disappearances

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Sheriff Hudson addressing his deputies in the briefing room, where photos of two missing women—Stacy Howard and Carissa Brooks—are now pinned to the corkboard. The evidence gathered so far is sparse: a ransacked salon, two abandoned cars (one holding a cell phone), Bob Miller's business card, and blood samples awaiting lab results. Hudson confirms that Bob Miller is a person of interest in both cases but notes that the evidence against him remains circumstantial and that his lawyer blocked substantive questioning during an earlier interview.

Chief Deputy Olson presents background on Carissa Brooks, revealing that a permanent protective order against her ex-husband, George Carrigan, is set to expire next month. Carrigan had been imprisoned for battery after attacking Carissa, but he received early release three weeks ago. Deputy Nagel then reports that he has already located Carrigan and brought him in for questioning based on tips from Carissa's employees and friends.

Hudson and Olson interrogate Carrigan, who initially maintains that he has had no contact with Carissa. Under pressure, he admits that Carissa texted him first after his release and that he responded with professions of love and an apology. He claims she did not reply. Olson deliberately provokes him, and Carrigan loses his temper, slamming his fist on the table. He provides no alibi for the night of Carissa's disappearance beyond stating he was at home alone with a frozen pizza and beer. When informed that Carissa is missing, Carrigan reacts with shock and anger. He demands a lawyer and leaves. Hudson and Olson agree that while Carrigan is clearly volatile, they remain uncertain of his guilt. The chapter concludes with an acknowledgment that the department is stretched dangerously thin across multiple active cases.

Key Events

Sheriff Hudson briefs deputies on the Stacy Howard and Carissa Brooks missing person cases.
Evidence remains minimal: a damaged salon, abandoned cars, a cell phone, Bob Miller's business card, and pending blood results.
Bob Miller is identified as a person of interest but cannot be charged due to lack of evidence.
Background on Carissa Brooks is presented: a protective order against ex-husband George Carrigan, who served time for battery and was released three weeks ago.
Deputy Nagel brings George Carrigan in for questioning preemptively.
During interrogation, Carrigan admits to texting Carissa after his release but claims she did not reply.
Olson deliberately provokes Carrigan, who slams his fist on the table in anger.
Carrigan provides no alibi for the night of the disappearance—he claims he was home alone.
When told Carissa is missing, Carrigan appears shocked and angry, then demands a lawyer and leaves.
Hudson and Olson conclude that Carrigan is an asshole but remain unsure of his involvement.
The chapter underscores that the department is overstretched across multiple investigations.

Character Development

Sheriff Hudson: Demonstrates leadership and empathy, delivering a motivational speech to his exhausted team. He shows restraint during the interrogation, opting to observe while Olson takes the lead. His priority remains finding the missing women.
Chief Deputy Olson: Displays sharp interrogation instincts, using psychological pressure to provoke Carrigan. She maintains professionalism even when Carrigan becomes aggressive.
George Carrigan: Reveals a pattern of volatility and manipulation. He initially presents as calm but quickly loses his temper when challenged. His professed love for Carissa contrasts sharply with his history of violence against her.
Deputy Nagel: Shows initiative by locating Carrigan and bringing him in before being asked. His efficiency reflects the dedicated but overburdened nature of the department.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The race against time: Hudson repeatedly emphasizes that every second counts in missing person cases. The photos on the corkboard serve as a constant reminder of the urgency.
Domestic violence and the justice system: Carrigan's history with Carissa illustrates how protective orders and prison sentences do not always neutralize the threat. The expired and expiring orders create a window of vulnerability.
Strained resources and burnout: The deputies are visibly exhausted, with dark circles and coffee cups. Hudson's motivational speech briefly restores morale, but the underlying resource problem remains unsolved.
The façade of control: Carrigan's tough-biker appearance (leather jacket, combat boots) is undercut by his ponytail (which Olson mocks) and his rapid loss of composure. The interrogation reveals his temper as his true weakness.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter advances both the Carissa Brooks and Stacy Howard investigations while introducing a credible new suspect in George Carrigan. It deepens the reader's understanding of the police procedural and the pressures facing the department. The interrogation scene provides character insight into Carrigan's volatility and suggests that domestic violence patterns may be central to the case. The chapter also sets up potential future conflicts, including the need to verify Carrigan's alibi and the looming expiration of the protective order.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Sheriff Hudson choose to let Olson lead the interrogation of George Carrigan?

Hudson positions himself in the corner of the room because he wants to observe how Carrigan responds to being questioned by a woman, given his history of abusing women. This strategy allows Hudson to assess Carrigan's behavior from a removed perspective while Olson applies pressure.

2. What evidence is currently preventing the police from charging Bob Miller with a crime?

The police have only circumstantial evidence linking Miller to the disappearances. Although he admitted his blood might be found at the salon, he provided a plausible explanation for its presence. Without forensic results or direct evidence, the district attorney cannot file charges.

3. How does George Carrigan's behavior during the interrogation support or undermine his claim of innocence?

Carrigan's loss of temper—slamming his fist on the table and pointing aggressively—undermines his claim that he has changed. His inability to provide an alibi and his admission of contacting Carissa after his release further damage his credibility. However, his shock and anger upon learning she is missing could also be read as genuine concern.