Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis: The Wait and Surveillance of Judge Purcell
⚠️ 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
At five PM, Ballard stations her Defender near the Police Administration Building on First Street, with a clear view of the courthouse garage exit. Her team—Laffont, Masser, and Aghzafi—take up positions around Spring Street and Grand Park. They are searching for Judge Purcell's black Mercedes C 300 Coupe, registered via the DMV. Ballard calls Seth Dawson about a prior car burglary, leaving a cautious voicemail that does not explicitly state she is investigating.
Masser spots the Mercedes exiting the garage and confirms the license plate. A brief radio glitch delays communication, but Ballard orders Aghzafi to pick up Masser. The judge drives north on Broadway toward the 101 freeway, then merges onto the 110 north toward Pasadena. During the pursuit, Hatteras calls to update Ballard on building a DNA heritage pattern for Purcell; Ballard cuts the call short to focus.
Purcell exits at Orange Grove in Pasadena and turns onto Arroyo Drive, pulling into a driveway at Hermosa. Ballard instructs Laffont to double back on foot, and Aghzafi to post on Hermosa. Ballard passes the house and sees the opened garage with the Mercedes inside; Purcell exits with a briefcase. Laffont and Ballard meet in the shadows along the Arroyo Seco. Aghzafi reports two people—a man and a woman—in the kitchen.
Deciding the judge may be in for the night, Ballard sends Laffont and Aghzafi home but keeps Masser as a potential witness for DNA collection. After a half-hour vigil, the garage door rises again. Purcell holds the passenger door for a woman in a purple pantsuit, and they prepare to drive away. Masser stays to watch their direction while Ballard retrieves her vehicle.
Key Events
- Ballard's team sets up surveillance on Judge Purcell's courthouse exit.
- Ballard leaves a cautious voicemail for Seth Dawson regarding a car burglary.
- Radio confusion delays confirmation of the Mercedes, but Masser verifies the plate.
- The judge drives north on the 110 freeway to Pasadena, exiting at Orange Grove.
- Purcell arrives home on Arroyo Drive; the team confirms his residence.
- Ballard dismisses Hatteras's call about DNA genetic genealogy.
- After a quiet vigil, Purcell and a woman leave the house together in the Mercedes.
- Ballard retains Masser as a legal witness for potential DNA evidence gathering.
Character Development
Renée Ballard demonstrates her operational leadership, quickly resolving radio miscommunications and adapting her surveillance plan on the fly. Her impatience with Hatteras's tangential work shows her focus on the immediate mission, yet she tolerates Hatteras because of the value of investigative genetic genealogy for cold cases. Ballard's careful wording in the voicemail to Dawson reveals her awareness of departmental boundaries and her willingness to work around them.
Colleen Hatteras appears briefly, absorbed in building a DNA heritage pattern. Her call disrupts the surveillance, but Ballard recognizes that Hatteras's unorthodox methods—asking too many questions, crossing boundaries—make her effective at IGG. The chapter hints at Hatteras's personal motivation: her recent divorce and empty nest drive her devotion to cold-case work.
Paul Masser is highlighted as a former prosecutor who understands rules of evidence, making him the best choice to testify about DNA collection procedures. Ballard trusts him to stay behind with her even after sending the rest of the team home.
Judge Jonathan Purcell is observed only from a distance; his actions (driving home, arriving with a briefcase, later leaving with a woman) are mundane, but the surveillance establishes his pattern and home address.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Surveillance and Patience: The chapter revolves around waiting—watching a garage exit, following a car through traffic, staking out a house. The title "The Waiting" is embodied in the team's long, patient observation and Ballard's decision to persist even when the judge seems settled for the night.
Trust in Team: Ballard relies on her team's abilities and positions, despite communication glitches. She keeps Masser for his legal expertise, showing that effective investigation requires trusting individuals with specific skills.
DNA as Silent Evidence: Hatteras's work on the genetic family tree represents the future of the case—evidence that does not rely on eyewitnesses. The chapter contrasts physical surveillance (following the man) with genetic surveillance (building a family tree).
Boundary Pushing: Ballard's voicemail to Dawson edges the limits of her authority. She later deflects Hatteras's interruption, managing both external and internal threats to the investigation.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter advances the plot by confirming Judge Purcell's home address and establishing his evening routines. It also underscores the mix of traditional police work (surveillance) with modern forensic techniques (genetic genealogy). Ballard's handling of the team and her nuanced relationship with Hatteras deepen character development. The final scene—Purcell leaving with a woman—sets up the next step: either continuing surveillance or attempting DNA collection. The chapter reinforces the central theme of waiting while building toward a critical evidence-gathering moment.
Study Questions and Answers
-
Why does Ballard choose to keep Masser on surveillance rather than sending both him and Laffont home?
Answer: Masser is a former prosecutor with thorough knowledge of evidence rules. Ballard wants him as a potential witness to testify about any DNA collection procedures, ensuring the evidence can withstand legal challenges. -
How does Ballard handle the radio miscommunication when she cannot hear Masser's initial report?
Answer: She quickly assesses the situation: she sees Masser walking onto the sidewalk, infers he has spotted the target, and orders Lilia to pick him up and confirm the plate. Simultaneously, she directs Laffont to begin moving. Her swift decision-making prevents losing the Mercedes. -
What does the phone call from Hatteras reveal about Ballard's leadership style and team dynamics?
Answer: Ballard cuts the call short to maintain focus on the surveillance, but she does not dismiss Hatteras from the team. She acknowledges Hatteras's value in IGG work despite finding her annoying. This shows Ballard balances operational priority with long-term investigative payoff.