Chapter 16: Sarah’s Loyalty Tested Amidst Violence
⚠️ 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
Sarah Morgan, Adam’s wife and lawyer, formally interviews him about his relationship with Kelly Summers. Adam admits they met sixteen months ago at Seth’s Coffee and had sex the same day. Their affair continued regularly, with Kelly staying many nights at the lake house. Adam claims Kelly’s husband Scott was abusive, threatened her, and likely knew about the affair. Sarah sees potential for reasonable doubt by pointing to Scott. She struggles with her own anger and conflict of interest. As she prepares to leave, Sheriff Stevens and Deputy Hudson enter, but before they do, a deputy (Scott Summers) tackles Adam and brutally beats him. Sarah is knocked to the ground, cutting her forehead. The officers restrain Scott, who breaks down crying. Sheriff Stevens tends to Sarah’s wound and privately asks if she thinks Adam is guilty. He then offers to take her to the crime scene to get her perspective. Sarah’s colleague Matthew arrives, protective and angry about her injury.
Key Events
- Sarah’s formal interview with Adam: She takes notes while Adam details the start and continuation of his affair with Kelly. He expresses hatred for Scott, calling him abusive.
- Sarah’s internal conflict: She acknowledges her anger at Adam’s betrayal but resolves to focus on defending him, though she doubts her ability to remain objective.
- Scott Summers’ attack: Disguised as a deputy, Kelly’s husband lunges over the table, tackles Adam, and punches him repeatedly. Sarah is thrown to the floor and cut on the head.
- Restraint and breakdown: Sheriff Stevens and Deputy Hudson pull Scott off Adam. Scott breaks down crying. Deputy Hudson shows sympathy, saying he would have done the same.
- Sarah’s care for Adam: After the attack, she kneels beside Adam, wipes blood from his face, and reassures him she will handle the situation.
- Sheriff Stevens’ question: In his office, he cleans Sarah’s wound and directly asks if she believes Adam killed Kelly. She says no. He admits the case may not be straightforward and proposes an unorthodox visit to the crime scene.
- Matthew’s arrival: Sarah’s colleague barges in, sees her bandage, and threatens legal action against the sheriff’s office, then softens when she reassures him.
Character Development
- Sarah Morgan: This chapter reveals her professional discipline and personal pain. She suppresses her emotions to focus on Adam’s defense, but her internal monologue shows she hates him yet still loves him. Her decision to stay and help him after the attack demonstrates her commitment, despite the conflict of interest.
- Adam Morgan: He is vulnerable, ashamed, and physically broken. His hatred of Scott is evident, and he clings to the hope that Scott will be the scapegoat. The beating leaves him nearly incapacitated, emphasizing his powerlessness.
- Scott Summers: Introduced as a violent, grief-stricken man. His attack shows raw rage; then he collapses into tears, revealing his emotional devastation. The police protect him, indicating he is a known colleague.
- Sheriff Stevens: He shows compassion toward Sarah, cleans her wound, and breaks protocol by asking about Adam’s guilt. His interest in the truth over a quick conviction hints at a deeper alliance.
- Matthew: Seen as fiercely protective of Sarah, willing to threaten legal action. His arrival also highlights that Sarah has a support system outside the investigation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Conflict of interest vs. duty: Sarah must choose between her role as a lawyer and her personal feelings as a betrayed wife. She acknowledges the conflict but proceeds anyway.
- Domestic violence and infidelity: The chapter contrasts the abuser (Scott) with the lover (Adam), but both men are capable of violence and deceit. Sarah herself embodies betrayal mixed with loyalty.
- Unreliable narratives: Every character—Adam, Scott, Sarah—has a version of events that serves their own interests. The chapter questions who can be trusted.
- The motif of “cleaning up”: Sarah aligns papers, wipes blood, and has her wound dressed—physical acts that mirror her attempt to tidy the mess of her marriage and the case.
- The gaze of law enforcement: Sheriff Stevens’ question and his observation of Sarah’s reaction turn her into a subject of investigation, blurring the line between lawyer and suspect.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point: it confirms the affair, introduces the volatile Scott as a suspect, and shows Sarah committing to Adam’s defense despite personal turmoil. The violent attack raises the stakes and foreshadows future violence. Sheriff Stevens’ unusual offer to take Sarah to the crime scene suggests the investigation may take an unorthodox path, and Sarah’s role expands from mere attorney to active participant. Matthew’s arrival reinforces that Sarah is not isolated. The chapter also deepens the theme of appearances: the “perfect marriage” is shattered, and the police department itself harbors a killer’s family member.
Study Questions and Answers
-
Why does Sarah initially resist showing emotion when Adam confesses the affair?
She is acting as his lawyer, not his wife. She needs to gather facts without prejudice to build a defense. Reacting emotionally could affect her judgment and the case. -
What does Scott’s attack reveal about the police department’s culture?
Deputy Hudson’s comment that he “would have done the same” indicates a code of silence or loyalty among officers, even when a colleague commits assault. This may undermine the investigation’s impartiality. -
How does Sheriff Stevens’ question “Do you think he did it?” change the dynamic between him and Sarah?
It shows he trusts her judgment and is open to the possibility of Adam’s innocence. By inviting her to the crime scene, he crosses professional boundaries, implying a collaborative approach that could help both find the truth.