Chapter 25: A Reluctant Hero Answers the Call
⚠️ 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
Steve Wheeler stands beside a BMW riddled with bullet holes and soaked in blood. He believes Jeff Nolan is either dead or responsible for the violence, but no body is in sight. His phone rings—it is Amy, calling from a car with Rosie D’Antonio. Steve blurts out the grim news, but Amy remains calm; she insists that without a body, Jeff is alive. She explains that they have left the private island and that she is in immediate danger: someone already tried to kill her, and she suspects a local cop and an ex-Navy SEAL are involved. Worse, four people have been murdered, and the conspiracy is far larger than Andrew Fairbanks.
Amy asks Steve to fly to America immediately. Steve resists, citing his comfort zone in England, his cat Trouble, and a lead he wants to follow in Letchworth Garden City. Amy counters by offering Rosie’s private jet from Farnborough and appeals to his loyalty by invoking his late wife, Debbie. Steve feels a flicker of excitement—being wanted and needed—but also dread. After a brief hesitation, he agrees to mull it over, but Amy’s quiet plea makes clear she has already won. Steve realizes he cannot stay home, and when he protests that “we don’t solve murders,” Amy replies, “Then we’re going to have to start.”
Key Events
- Steve examines the bullet-riddled BMW at Hollands Wood campsite and calls Amy.
- Amy reveals she and Rosie have left the island and are traveling by car.
- Steve reports that Jeff Nolan’s car is full of blood; Amy assures him no body means Jeff is likely alive.
- Amy discloses that four murders have occurred (Rosie corrects the count to four).
- Someone tried to kill Amy—an ex-Navy SEAL—and a local cop may also be shooting at her.
- Steve mentions his lead in Letchworth Garden City, but Amy insists the threat is bigger.
- Rosie offers her private jet to fly Steve to the United States.
- Steve resists, citing domestic obligations and discomfort with America; Amy persuades him by reminding him of Debbie.
- Steve feels an unexpected thrill at being needed, though he dismisses it as shock.
- The chapter ends with Amy declaring they will start solving murders together.
Character Development
Steve Wheeler – Steve begins the chapter in a state of shock, confronted by physical evidence of extreme violence. His instinct is to retreat to the familiar: his home, his cat, his local garage. The call forces him to confront his own limitations. When Amy mentions Debbie, Steve’s internal resistance crumbles, revealing his deep loyalty to family. His surprise at feeling “excitement at being wanted” marks a subtle but crucial shift—he is beginning to see himself as someone capable of action, not just passive observation.
Amy Wheeler – Amy is typically resourceful and in control, but here she admits vulnerability for the first time: “I’m not safe.” She drops her usual bravado to ask for help, which shows growth from a lone operator to someone willing to trust a partner. Her ability to read Steve (invoking Debbie) and her calm certainty that Jeff is alive demonstrate her sharp instincts.
Rosie D’Antonio – Although not directly seen, Rosie’s off-screen presence is felt through her snorts, her offer of the jet, and her exaggerated warning about huge alligators. She provides both comic relief and logistical power, reinforcing her role as a chaotic ally.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust and Family – The entire chapter hinges on Amy’s plea for someone she can trust. Steve’s internal debate is about whether to trust that his presence matters and whether to trust Amy’s assessment of danger. The memory of Debbie acts as a moral compass—family loyalty overrides personal fear.
Stepping Out of Comfort Zone – Steve’s reluctance to leave England represents the theme of growth through discomfort. His mundane concerns (rearranging shelf delivery, missing Italian night, the threat of alligators) contrast starkly with the life-and-death stakes. The private jet and the call to become a solver of murders force him into a new identity.
Alligators as Symbol – The repeated question “Are there alligators?” works as a symbol of all the unknown dangers Steve fears. Rosie’s exaggeration (“huge ones”) mirrors how Steve’s anxieties balloon when he considers the unfamiliar.
The BMW as Evidence of Violence – The blood-soaked car—strikingly described through Steve’s eyes—is a visceral reminder that the stakes are physical and immediate. It launches the chapter with tension and makes Amy’s danger feel real.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 25 is the turning point where the “we” in We Solve Murders finally takes shape. Up to now, Amy and Steve have operated separately; this chapter forges their partnership. Steve’s decision to travel to America represents a commitment to his daughter-in-law and to the investigation itself. The chapter also raises the threat level: four murders, an attempted killing, and a network of danger that stretches beyond Andrew Fairbanks. The line “Then we’re going to have to start” is a mission statement that sets the direction for the rest of the novel.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Steve resist going to America, and what finally changes his mind?
Steve resists because he feels out of his depth—America is foreign, hot, and full of unknowns like alligators. He also has mundane obligations (his cat Trouble, a shelf delivery, Italian night). Amy changes his mind by invoking Debbie, his deceased wife, making him feel that Debbie would want him to help. He also admits to feeling a small thrill at being needed, which hints at a desire for purpose beyond his quiet life. -
How does the conversation reveal Amy’s vulnerability and her trust in Steve?
Amy openly admits she is not safe and that someone tried to kill her—this is the first time readers see her fully unguarded. She also states bluntly, “I need someone I can trust,” and when Steve hesitates, she does not pressure with anger but with quiet sincerity. Her decision to call Steve, rather than a professional bodyguard, shows that family bonds matter more than training or firepower. -
What does the BMW scene suggest about Jeff Nolan’s fate, and why does Amy think he is alive?
The BMW is full of blood and bullet holes but contains no body. Steve assumes Jeff is dead or has killed someone. Amy argues logically that if there were a body, the police would be present, and Jeff—competent and cautious—would not have left his car in such a state without a reason. Her confidence in Jeff’s survival keeps the mystery open and propels the plot forward.