We Solve Murders Chapter 26 (Chapter 24) Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
Amy and Rosie hide in a neighbor’s pool under a cover while a gunman fires shots near the home of the murdered Sheriff Scroggie. Amy identifies the shooter as a poor marksman likely using a police-issue Glock 22. Having listened to a message from Jeff Nolan, Amy knows they cannot return to London, cannot use credit cards, and must stay off-grid. Inside Scroggie’s house, they discovered that Scroggie was the killer of Andrew Fairbanks, not a lead. They also found a grocery bag containing $100,000 that Scroggie had stolen from the boat’s cash, and they note that his corpse was murdered professionally, possibly by Loubet. Amy decides to steal a car and drive to Rosie’s friend Barb. She considers who she can trust: her husband Adam is in Macau and dislikes trouble, Jeff is compromised, and Rosie is a possible ally. Ultimately, Amy realizes she must call Steve, the only other person she truly trusts, but she knows he will not be pleased. They plan to use Rosie’s private plane and steal a car to escape.
Key Events
- A gunman fires shots near Amy and Rosie, who hide in a covered pool.
- Amy explains the shooter is likely a police officer connected to Scroggie.
- Amy receives a message from Jeff Nolan telling her to avoid London and traceable payments.
- During their search of Scroggie’s house, they realize Scroggie himself killed Andrew Fairbanks.
- They find $100,000 in cash that Scroggie had taken from the boat; Amy pockets it.
- Amy decides they need to steal a car rather than use Rosie’s credit card.
- Rosie suggests they stay with her friend Barb, an eighty-year-old.
- Amy reflects on who she trusts: Adam, Jeff, and possibly Rosie.
- Amy concludes she must call Steve for help, knowing he will dislike the request.
- The plan is to steal a car, reach Barb, and summon Steve via Rosie’s plane.
Character Development
Amy demonstrates her expertise and resourcefulness under fire. She calmly analyzes the shooter’s technique and caliber, showing her professional background. Her decision to steal a car and go off-grid reveals her adaptability and reliance on old survival instincts. Her internal trust assessment—weighing Adam’s love but unsuitability for danger, Jeff’s compromised state, and Rosie’s loyalty—shows her vulnerability and the isolating weight of her mission. Choosing to call Steve marks a significant moment of humility and recognition that she needs help beyond her own training.
Rosie continues to provide levity and pragmatic support. Her humorous complaint about no credit cards and her reapplying lipstick while hiding in water underscore her resilience and refusal to be intimidated. Her offer of a private plane and connection to Barb show that her wealth and network remain assets even in crisis. Rosie’s trust in Cher as her most trusted person adds a humanizing touch.
Sheriff Scroggie is posthumously revealed as the killer of Andrew Fairbanks, shifting the investigation from a lead to a closed case. His greed (the hundred thousand dollars) and bragging emails confirm his corruption.
Jeff Nolan remains off-screen but influences events through his warning. His professionalism is both reassuring and worrying, as his absence leaves Amy without her primary support.
Steve is mentioned but not present; his anticipated reaction (“Steve is not going to like this one bit”) sets up future conflict and character dynamics.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Isolation: The chapter revolves around who Amy can trust. Jeff warns her not to trust anyone else, forcing her to rely on her own judgment. The pool cover symbolizes her hidden, exposed state—visible but protected, waiting for the danger to pass. The repeated question “Who do you trust?” emphasizes the motif of loyalty in a world of betrayal.
Corruption and Greed: Scroggie’s theft of the hundred thousand dollars and his role as a corrupt sheriff illustrate how money and insider status can subvert justice. The cash itself becomes a symbol of both opportunity and danger.
Survival Instincts: Amy’s detailed knowledge of firearms, tactics, and off-grid techniques highlights the theme of professional survival. Her decision to steal a car rather than use a traceable method reinforces the idea that old skills are essential when modern tools are compromised.
The Call for Help: Amy’s reluctant decision to involve Steve shows that even the most self-reliant characters must sometimes seek assistance. This motif of reaching out against one’s nature recurs throughout the novel.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter acts as a turning point where the investigation shifts from chasing leads to becoming fugitives. Amy and Rosie are now hunted, isolated from their usual resources, and forced to adapt. The revelation that Scroggie was the killer closes one mystery but deepens another: who hired him and who killed him? The introduction of Steve as the expected savior sets up a major character reunion and potentially new alliances. The chapter also solidifies Amy’s leadership and Rosie’s role as an unflappable partner, setting the tone for the remainder of the story.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Amy insist on stealing a car rather than using Rosie’s credit card to hire one?
Amy has been warned by Jeff Nolan to avoid any traceable transactions. Using a credit card would reveal their location and potentially link them to the murders. Stealing a car is a temporary, off-grid solution that buys them time until they can regroup with Barb.
2. What evidence convinces Amy that Sheriff Scroggie was the killer of Andrew Fairbanks?
In Scroggie’s house, Amy and Rosie find email boasts about coming into “more money than usual” and being asked to do an important job for important people. Combined with the $100,000 cash that matches the boat’s missing money, this points to Scroggie as the murderer.
3. Why is Amy hesitant to call Steve for help?
Amy knows Steve will not like being involved in this dangerous and complicated situation. She also values her self-sufficiency and likely feels that asking Steve means admitting she cannot handle the crisis alone. Her hesitation shows her pride and desire to protect Steve from the escalating threat.