The Pact
Chapter 6: NOW: November 1997 (3)
by Picoult, JodiThe chapter opens with prosecutor J. Barrett Delaney, who goes by “Barrie,” reflecting on her discomfort with her given name, Sue, and her career choice. She meets her childhood friend, detective Anne-Marie Marrone, to review the case of Emily Gold’s death. Barrie examines the autopsy report and police statements, questioning whether Chris Harte, the suspect, acted with premeditation. Anne-Marie reveals Chris’s claim of a botched double suicide, but Barrie remains skeptical, emphasizing the need for evidence of intent. She directs Anne-Marie to gather more background on Chris and Emily’s relationship, including potential abuse or suicidal tendencies, while she prepares to present the case to a grand jury.
Meanwhile, tensions escalate between Gus Harte and Melanie Gold, the mothers of Chris and Emily. Gus attempts to reconcile with Melanie, offering condolences, but Melanie angrily accuses Chris of murdering her daughter. Gus defends her son, insisting Chris’s account of a suicide pact is truthful, while Melanie dismisses it as a lie. The confrontation turns bitter, with Melanie blaming Gus for raising a murderer and Gus accusing Melanie of denial about Emily’s mental state. The emotional exchange ends with Gus storming out, hurt by Melanie’s rejection and unwilling to accept her son as a killer.
The chapter shifts to Chris Harte’s perspective as he leaves the hospital in a wheelchair, frustrated by his physical and emotional state. His mother, Gus, tries to distract him with mundane chatter, but Chris resents her attempts to normalize the situation. He internally struggles with the aftermath of Emily’s death, feeling alienated and unable to communicate his grief. The scene highlights the growing disconnect between Chris and his mother, as he grapples with the irreversible impact of the tragedy.
Throughout the chapter, the narrative explores themes of guilt, denial, and the search for truth. Barrie’s legal analysis contrasts with the raw emotions of Gus and Melanie, underscoring the complexity of the case. Chris’s silent suffering adds another layer, revealing the personal toll of the incident. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding Emily’s death, while also delving into the fractured relationships it has left behind.
FAQs
1. What key elements does Barrie Delaney identify as necessary to prove a first-degree murder charge in Chris Harte’s case, and how does the evidence align with these requirements?
Answer:
Barrie Delaney outlines three critical elements for a first-degree murder charge: premeditation, willfulness, and deliberation. She argues that Chris’s actions meet these criteria because (1) carrying the antique Colt revolver hours before the incident suggests deliberation, (2) using the gun to shoot Emily indicates willful intent, and (3) the act was premeditated since he brought the weapon intentionally. The forensic evidence (matched ballistics, alcohol presence) and Chris’s inconsistent alibi (claiming a botched double suicide) further undermine his defense. Barrie notes that his story conflicts with the physical evidence, strengthening the prosecution’s case for murder-one.
2. Analyze the confrontation between Gus and Melanie. How does their exchange reveal their conflicting perspectives on Emily’s death, and what deeper tensions does it expose?
Answer:
The confrontation highlights Gus’s belief in Chris’s suicide-pact explanation versus Melanie’s conviction that Chris murdered Emily. Gus frames Emily’s pregnancy and possible suicidal tendencies as mitigating factors, while Melanie interprets Gus’s defense as denial of Chris’s culpability. Their clash exposes deeper tensions: Melanie’s grief-stricken accusation (“Your son killed my daughter”) contrasts with Gus’s maternal protectiveness, which Melanie dismisses as bias. The exchange also reveals unresolved pain—Melanie’s rejection of shared mourning (“I have nothing to say to you”) underscores her need to assign blame, while Gus’s retreat reflects her inability to reconcile her son’s actions with her identity as a mother.
3. How does Anne-Marie Marrone’s investigative approach during Chris’s initial interview create potential legal vulnerabilities for the prosecution?
Answer:
Anne-Marie admits to not reading Chris his Miranda rights “line for line” during his post-ER interview, citing urgency and parental interference. This oversight risks violating his Fifth Amendment rights, potentially rendering his statements inadmissible in court. Barrie’s pointed interruption (“you of course read him his rights…”) signals her awareness of this flaw. The lapse could undermine the case if Chris’s defense argues coercion or unconstitutional interrogation tactics, especially since he was in a vulnerable state (shock, head injury). The prosecution must now rely on corroborating evidence to offset this procedural weakness.
4. Evaluate Chris’s emotional state in the final scene. How does his interaction with his mother reflect his internal conflict and the broader themes of the chapter?
Answer:
Chris’s irritation with the wheelchair and his mother’s forced normalcy (“chattering about dinner”) reveal his unresolved trauma. His gritted teeth and desire to shout (“Stop trying to act like nothing happened”) underscore his alienation and guilt. The scene contrasts his physical recovery (stitches, psychiatric discharge) with his psychological stagnation, mirroring the chapter’s themes of fractured relationships and irreversible consequences. His mother’s optimism (“you’re already feeling better”) highlights her denial, paralleling Gus’s earlier confrontation with Melanie—both mothers grapple with truths they cannot accept, while Chris embodies the irreversible change neither family can escape.
5. Why does Barrie dismiss the possibility of a sexual assault charge against Chris, and what alternative strategy does she propose for using the evidence?
Answer:
Barrie rejects a sexual assault charge due to Emily’s pregnancy, which implies consensual prior relations, making rape legally untenable. Instead, she suggests framing physical evidence (e.g., signs of struggle) to support the murder case. Her reasoning reflects prosecutorial pragmatism: without proof of non-consent or recent assault, a rape charge would weaken their credibility. By focusing on the relationship’s dynamics (possible abuse patterns, Emily’s mental state), Barrie aims to build a stronger narrative of premeditated violence, demonstrating her strategic prioritization of winnable charges over emotionally charged but legally shaky accusations.
Quotes
1. “There were entire months that she had to convince herself the reason she became a prosecutor, and not a defense attorney, had to do with her love of justice and not self-doubt.”
This introspective quote reveals Barrie Delaney’s internal conflict about her career choice, hinting at deeper personal insecurities tied to her name (“Sue”) and how it may have shaped her professional path. It establishes her character’s complexity early in the chapter.
2. “To make a murder-one charge stick, we’ve got to find premeditation, willfulness, and deliberation… Did he think about killing the girl, even for a minute? Obviously, since he’d carried the gun from his house hours before.”
This pivotal exchange between Barrie and Anne-Marie captures the legal framework for charging Chris Harte with murder, highlighting the prosecution’s strategic thinking. The rhetorical questions demonstrate how they’re building their case around the concept of premeditation.
3. “Your son killed my daughter… You can handle being the mother of a suicide risk. But you can’t possibly accept being the mother of a murderer.”
This emotionally charged confrontation between Gus and Melanie represents the chapter’s central conflict - the opposing interpretations of Emily’s death. The stark accusation and counter-accusation reveal how grief has fractured their friendship and created irreconcilable narratives.
4. “Stop trying to act like nothing happened. Because something did, and you can’t make it go back to being the same.”
Chris’s internal monologue (though unspoken to his mother) powerfully encapsulates the chapter’s theme of irreversible change. This thought contrasts with his mother’s forced normalcy and shows his awareness that their lives have been permanently altered by the tragedy.