Chapter Twenty-Three Summary: Serial Killer Rumors and the FBI
⚠️ 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
Myron wakes at five a.m. in Win's guest bedroom overlooking Central Park. Win is already dressed and reading a newspaper. They discuss Win's anonymous hookup app for the ultra-wealthy, but Myron declines details. Win tells Myron that Esperanza and Sadie Fisher need to see him at FFD's office. Myron notices Win looks slightly older, with more lidded eyes and a less steady hand.
An hour later, Win's limo drops Myron at the Lock-Horne Building. He takes the private elevator to the floor that once housed MB Reps, now occupied by the Fisher, Friedman and Diaz law firm. The receptionist, Taft Buckington III, greets him. Sadie and Esperanza approach together and lead Myron into what used to be his own office. Sadie has removed all personal touches, explaining she wants clients to see nothing but her dedication to their case.
Sadie reveals that FFD is handling Greg Downing's defense. Though the firm has no murder trial experience, Greg chose Sadie because he knows and trusts her. Sadie explains her connection to Greg through Emily's younger sister Judy, who was her college roommate. Greg maintains his innocence.
Sadie tells Myron that the FBI is keeping details quiet, but a rumor is circulating that this might not be Greg's first murder. The lead agent, Monica Hawes, specializes in serial killer profiling. Sadie asks Myron to contact his FBI source to learn what they are up against. Myron thinks of his old boss PT.
Myron updates Win on the conversation. They call PT from Win's office phone. PT answers without preamble, asks if Myron is there, and invites them to lunch at Le Bernardin before hanging up. Myron notes that PT seemed to expect the call, and Win observes that Le Bernardin suggests the FBI has a generous expense account.
Key Events
- Myron wakes in Win's apartment and learns Esperanza and Sadie need to meet with him
- Myron visits FFD's office and sees his old space stripped of personal items
- Sadie Fisher reveals FFD is defending Greg Downing against murder charges
- Sadie explains her personal connection to Greg through Emily's sister Judy
- Sadie asks Myron to use his FBI contacts to learn what evidence the Bureau has
- Win and Myron call PT, who immediately invites them to lunch at Le Bernardin
Character Development
Myron Bolitar shows his adaptability by staying at Win's apartment and maintaining his bond with Esperanza. He remains perceptive about Win's subtle aging and feels the strangeness of seeing his old office repurposed. His instinct is to look to Esperanza for cues, a habit Sadie calls out directly.
Win is as composed and well-informed as ever, waking early, reading print newspapers, and already knowing about the meeting before Myron does. His observation that Le Bernardin signals a generous FBI expense account highlights his attention to detail.
Esperanza Diaz acts as the bridge between Myron, Sadie, and the case. She has already shared background information with Sadie about the Jordan Kravat murder and Myron's FBI connection, positioning herself as the coordinator behind the scenes.
Sadie Fisher emerges as direct, strategic, and unsentimental. She stripped the office of personal items to maintain a purely professional image. She admits her firm's inexperience with murder trials but trusts her ability to find the right resources.
Greg Downing remains offstage but continues to drive the plot. He maintains his innocence to his lawyer, and the rumor that the FBI considers him a potential serial killer drastically raises the stakes.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Expertise. The chapter examines what makes a client trust a lawyer. Greg chooses Sadie because of personal history and confidence in her judgment, not because of her murder-trial track record. Sadie embodies this theme by prioritizing her clients' trust over her firm's resume.
The Past Resurfacing. Myron's old office, now stripped and repurposed, symbolizes how past relationships and spaces reemerge in transformed forms. Greg's connection to Sadie through Emily's sister also shows how the past continues to shape present alliances.
Secrecy versus Knowledge. The FBI keeps details quiet, the attorney-client privilege protects conversations, and the hookup app demands anonymity. Characters navigate layers of secrecy while trying to uncover the truth about Greg's case.
Serial Killer Profiling. Agent Monica Hawes's specialty signals that the investigation may extend beyond a single murder, introducing the chilling possibility that Greg has killed before. This transforms the case from a simple crime to something far more disturbing.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Twenty-Three changes the scope of the investigation. What looked like a straightforward murder charge against a man who faked his own death now carries the implication of serial murder. The introduction of FBI profiler Monica Hawes and the rumor that Greg may have killed before adds psychological depth and raises the suspense. The chapter also solidifies the legal team and sets up Myron's next move: using his FBI contact to learn the truth. The lunch with PT at Le Bernardin becomes the pivot point for the next phase of the story.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Myron keep looking at Esperanza during the meeting with Sadie?
Myron glances at Esperanza out of old habit because they are close friends and longtime colleagues. Sadie notices and calls him out for it, telling him it's distracting and that she is being transparent with him.
2. What reason does Greg give for choosing Sadie Fisher as his defense attorney?
Greg knows Sadie personally through her college friendship with Emily's sister Judy. He likes, trusts, and respects her ability, and he believes she will fight hard for him while also finding the right experts to handle aspects of a murder trial where she lacks experience.
3. What specific clue suggests the FBI views Greg as more than a single-murder suspect?
The lead FBI agent on the case, Monica Hawes, specializes in serial killer profiling. Additionally, Sadie reports that rumors are circulating that this may not be Greg's first murder, implying the Bureau is investigating him as a potential serial killer rather than a one-time offender.