We Solve Murders Chapter 39 (Chapter 37): 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
The chapter opens with Rosie asking whether Jeff could have obtained Amy’s blood. Amy defends Jeff, noting he warned her about Loubet and Joe Blow. Steve points out Jeff knew Amy’s location when those three were murdered and when Kevin attacked. Amy suggests two other Maximum Impact employees might be involved: Henk van Veen, who left the company and was stealing clients, and Susan Knox, Jeff’s right-hand woman who would know Amy’s movements and blood records. Rosie proposes they keep moving, fearing the police could match Amy’s blood to a crime scene if it’s left at the site. Amy says her DNA is not in any database because she has never been arrested—another Maximum Impact requirement.
Steve resists leaving his newly unpacked treehouse, but both Rosie and Amy push for St Lucia to investigate Bella Sanchez’s murder. Steve’s phone rings; it’s Carlos Airship, an airport contact, who reports that an Englishman named Eddie Flood is in custody asking about Amy. Carlos says he can hold Eddie for two more hours. Steve shares the news, and they decide St Lucia is still the best option despite the risk of being tracked by the same plane. Rosie’s pilot is on Hilton Head and might need time to sober up. Steve begins to craft a plan and messages Carlos asking for a job. He tells Rosie and Amy he has a plan, and when Rosie asks where her pilot should fly, Steve replies “Neither.”
Key Events
- Rosie and Amy debate the source of Amy’s blood at the crime scene, considering Jeff, Henk van Veen, or Susan Knox.
- Steve receives a call from Carlos about Eddie Flood, a new assassin hunting Amy.
- Amy insists they must go to St Lucia to keep moving and investigate Bella Sanchez.
- Steve reluctantly agrees, despite having just unpacked in his treehouse.
- Steve forms a plan and messages Carlos, hinting at a job for him.
- Steve announces his plan to the group and directs Rosie not to use her plane for St Lucia or Letchworth.
Character Development
- Amy Wheeler: Demonstrates decisiveness and a need for agency. She refuses to wait passively, preferring to move toward the investigation in St Lucia rather than hide. Her trust in Jeff is tested, but she remains loyal.
- Steve Wheeler: Shows his discomfort with rapid change and his need for stability. He has just settled into his treehouse and resists leaving, but his love for Amy ultimately compels him to go along. His analytic mind immediately starts formulating a plan.
- Rosie D’Antonio: Acts as the pragmatist and motivator. She knows they have to keep moving and urges both Amy and Steve to accept the situation. Her dry humor (calling Steve “Stevie”) and experience with travel are assets.
- Barb: The housekeeper appears briefly, noting the crime scene photos on the table and silently agreeing with Rosie to keep quiet, showing she is complicit in their investigation.
- Eddie Flood: A new adversary introduced via Carlos’s report. Described as looking like an often-beaten boxer, he is determined enough to have found Amy’s trail.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Flight vs. Settling: The tension between Amy’s need to keep moving and Steve’s desire to stay in one place underscores a core conflict. Steve’s unpacked bags become a symbol of his reluctant investment in this new life.
- Trust and Suspicion: The chapter challenges Amy’s unquestioning trust in Maximum Impact. She must now consider whether Jeff, Henk, or Susan could be betraying her.
- Blood as Evidence: Blood is both a literal forensic clue and a metaphor for the inescapable past. Amy’s blood at a crime scene connects her to murders she did not commit.
- Improvised Investigation: The trio’s decision to head to St Lucia without a concrete plan illustrates the theme of making do with limited information and resources.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 closes the South Carolina segment and pushes the story toward a new geographical setting (St Lucia) and a fresh line of inquiry (Bella Sanchez’s death). It introduces Eddie Flood, raising the stakes with a new antagonist closing in. Steve’s secret plan (“Neither”) hints at a tactical diversion, setting up suspense for the next chapters. The chapter also deepens the mystery of who inside Maximum Impact might be a traitor.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Steve resist going to St Lucia, and what does his resistance reveal about his character?
Steve has just unpacked in his treehouse, a routine he uses to mentally settle. His resistance shows he craves stability and dislikes disruption, yet he ultimately agrees for Amy’s safety, highlighting his devotion despite his grumbling.
2. What are the potential risks of using Rosie’s plane to fly to St Lucia?
As Rosie points out, the plane might be tracked, allowing enemies like Eddie Flood to follow them. The pilot is also on Hilton Head and may not be immediately available or sober, adding logistical danger.
3. How does Steve’s plan to use Carlos differ from the direct approach of flying to St Lucia?
By saying his plan involves “Neither” St Lucia nor Letchworth, Steve indicates he intends to create a misdirection—likely using Carlos to delay or mislead Eddie Flood—while the group moves elsewhere or separates. This shows Steve’s strategic thinking and his willingness to use allies like Carlos.