Chapter 27 Summary: Devine Dines with the Mayor
⚠️ 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
After cleaning and bandaging a head wound from a gun‑butt attack, Travis Devine drives to a steak house to meet Mayor Mercedes King. She arrives late, dressed differently than earlier, and avoids eye contact, which Devine interprets as nervousness that he is still alive. Over wine, Devine brings up Danny Glass and asks about the funding for the town’s new government center and military‑grade police equipment. King claims not to know Glass and defends the equipment as DHS‑subsidized, but she becomes defensive when Devine presses about the town’s unexplained wealth. Abruptly claiming she is no longer hungry, King leaves. Devine wraps her wine glass in a napkin as potential evidence and photographs her reflection in a mirror, suspecting she is involved in the attack and the Odoms case.
Key Events
- Devine treats his bleeding head wound and changes into clean clothes before going to the restaurant.
- He arrives early; Mayor King is five minutes late.
- King sits down, appears flustered, and avoids meeting his eyes.
- Devine mentions Danny Glass; King claims not to recognize the name.
- Devine questions how Ricketts afforded its lavish government center and police vehicles.
- King defends the spending with federal grants and her husband’s reputation, then abruptly leaves.
- Devine takes King’s wine glass, wraps it in a napkin, and snaps a photo of her face in a mirror reflection.
Character Development
Travis Devine: Shows physical resilience and sharp observation. He uses casual conversation as a probe, reading King’s body language and questioning details that others overlook. His collection of the wine glass demonstrates a methodical, evidence‑driven approach.
Mercedes King: Initially tries to appear cooperative but grows defensive when pressed. Her lateness, changed clothes, and avoidance of eye contact suggest she is hiding something. Her abrupt exit hints at complicity or fear of exposure.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Secrecy and Deception: King’s evasiveness and her claim of ignorance about Danny Glass point to a deliberate cover‑up within Ricketts.
- The Mask of Authority: King attempts to project mayoral composure, but her nervous gestures and early departure reveal anxiety.
- Evidence as Motif: Devine’s careful preservation of the wine glass symbolizes his reliance on tangible proof in a world of lies and half‑truths.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Devine’s suspicion that the King family is connected to the Odoms case and the attack on him. The dinner conversation exposes the town’s unexplained wealth, hinting at corruption or illegal funding. Devine’s collection of the wine glass provides a potential forensic link that could tie Mercedes King to the attack or to Danny Glass. The confrontation raises the stakes and pushes the investigation forward.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Devine suspect Mercedes King is connected to the attack on him?
Answer: She avoids eye contact, is late, and has changed clothes. Her nervous reaction when he mentions Danny Glass, combined with her quick departure, makes him believe she knew about the attack and expected him to be dead. -
What evidence does Devine collect at the restaurant, and why is it significant?
Answer: He takes King’s wine glass, wrapped in a napkin. The glass could contain fingerprints or DNA that links her to the crime scene or to the Odoms’ deaths. -
How does the town’s apparent wealth (government center, police equipment) tie into the investigation?
Answer: Devine questions the funding sources because the tax base seems too small to support such expensive projects. This suggests the money may come from illegal activities or from connections to Danny Glass, which King cannot adequately explain.