Buried Prey
Chapter 2
by Sandford, JohnThe chapter opens with a tense confrontation in a bar, where Lucas Davenport and his partner confront Carlos O’Hearn, a violent criminal from a notorious family. O’Hearn, a former Golden Gloves fighter, attacks Lucas with a beer bottle, but Lucas dodges and counters with a weighted punch, leading to a brutal scuffle. Despite taking a few hits to his ribs, Lucas and his partner subdue O’Hearn, who is later arrested. The scene highlights Lucas’s physical prowess and the chaotic nature of police work, as well as the O’Hearn family’s reputation for crime and violence.
The narrative shifts to Lucas waking up the next morning with sore ribs from the fight. He rouses his lover, DeeDee McAllister, a divorce attorney, who is reluctant to get up for her appointment. Their banter reveals a casual, playful relationship, with Lucas teasing her about his physique and DeeDee mocking his vanity. The dialogue underscores their chemistry and Lucas’s self-assured, sometimes arrogant demeanor. The scene also hints at DeeDee’s complicated personal life, including her marriage to a volatile man named Mark.
As Lucas prepares for the day, the chapter delves into his physical appearance and routine. He admires himself in the mirror, noting his athletic build from years of hockey, and engages in lighthearted debate with DeeDee about his physique. The description of his apartment—a modest space with hockey gear and a cluttered wardrobe—adds depth to his character, portraying him as both confident and somewhat vain. The interplay between Lucas and DeeDee continues, blending humor with underlying tension about their illicit relationship.
The chapter concludes with DeeDee dressing for work, reflecting on her conflicted feelings about her marriage and affair with Lucas. She jokes about the social stigma of dating a cop but admits the excitement it brings. Lucas, ever the provocateur, eggs her on, showcasing their dynamic of mutual attraction and teasing. The scene leaves their relationship unresolved, hinting at deeper emotional and professional complexities yet to be explored. The chapter balances action, character development, and wit, setting the stage for further intrigue.
FAQs
1. How does the author establish Lucas Davenport’s physical and professional capabilities in the opening scene?
Answer:
The chapter introduces Lucas Davenport as a capable police officer through the bar fight sequence. His physical attributes are highlighted - he’s described as tall, broad-shouldered, and heavily muscled from years of hockey. Professionally, he demonstrates quick reflexes (dodging the bottle), combat skills (using a weighted fist and longer reach), and teamwork (partner assisting with the nightstick). The detail about him setting his feet before impact shows tactical awareness. His background as a Golden Gophers defenseman further establishes his athleticism. The cracked ribs from O’Hearn’s punches add realism, showing even skilled officers take hits.2. What does the characterization of the O’Hearn family reveal about the novel’s approach to criminal elements?
Answer:
The O’Hearns are portrayed as generational criminals with a crude, almost caricatured villainy - collectively called “the asshole brothers” by police, with an equally criminal mother. This hyperbolic depiction (including the Ansel Adams camera joke) suggests the novel may take a stylized approach to crime rather than gritty realism. Their incompetence (not noticing security cameras) contrasts with Davenport’s professionalism. The family’s petty crimes escalating to hardware store theft shows typical criminal progression, while their violent tendencies (Carlos’s bar attack) establish ongoing threats officers face.3. Analyze how the dialogue between Lucas and DeeDee McAllister develops their relationship dynamics.
Answer:
Their banter reveals a casual sexual relationship with underlying complexities. The dick-size conversation shows comfort with crude humor, while DeeDee’s sarcastic responses (“Oh, for Christ’s sakes”) indicate equal footing. Professional contrasts emerge - she’s a divorce attorney concerned with appearances (“déclassé”), he’s a “humble cop.” Their discussion about her husband Mark introduces tension, blending domestic danger with dark humor (“two guys fighting over me”). The dialogue establishes their relationship as physically intimate yet emotionally detached, with power dynamics constantly negotiated through humor and professional differences.4. How does the chapter use physical spaces to characterize Lucas Davenport’s lifestyle?
Answer:
Davenport’s living spaces reflect his transitional life stage. His Uptown apartment is modest - a small bathroom, compact kitchen, and oversized chair facing a small TV suggest utilitarian priorities. The hockey gear pile and improvised oak clothing rack (replacing a too-small closet) portray a bachelor lifestyle. The mirror scenes emphasize his physicality and vanity. Contrastingly, DeeDee’s careful clothing arrangement on hangers shows more domestic order. These spatial details characterize Lucas as someone between youthful athleticism and adult responsibility, with his police uniform serving as a bridge between identities.5. What narrative purpose does the chapter’s abrupt shift from violent action to domestic comedy serve?
Answer:
The jarring transition from the bar fight to dick-size humor creates tonal complexity, establishing the novel’s blend of crime thriller and character-driven comedy. It shows cops’ daily whiplash between danger and mundanity. Physically, Lucas moves from taking punches to admiring himself shirtless, highlighting how officers compartmentalize violence. Thematically, it contrasts masculine bravado (fight scene) with masculine insecurity (mirror scene). Structurally, this establishes a pattern where action sequences give way to character development, preventing the narrative from becoming purely procedural while maintaining gritty realism through Lucas’s cracked ribs.
Quotes
1. “There was an instant, just before the fight, when Lucas Davenport’s overweight partner said, ‘Watch it, he’s coming,’ and he pulled his nightstick and Lucas had time to set his feet.”
This quote captures the tense, cinematic moment before a violent confrontation, showcasing Lucas Davenport’s quick reflexes and preparedness as a cop. It sets the tone for the chapter’s gritty, action-oriented narrative.
2. “O’Hearn was one of three siblings known as the asshole brothers to cops working the south side. They also had an asshole mother, but nobody knew for sure about the father.”
This passage introduces the O’Hearn family with dark humor and establishes them as notorious criminals in the story’s universe. The blunt characterization reflects the novel’s hardboiled style.
3. “The cameras had taken photos that would have made Ansel Adams proud, if Ansel Adams had ever taken pictures of assholes.”
This sardonic observation about the O’Hearn brothers’ botched robbery demonstrates the author’s signature wit while commenting on the criminals’ incompetence. The cultural reference adds literary flavor to the crime narrative.
4. “He stopped to look at himself in a full-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door: he was tall, dark-haired, broadshouldered, heavily muscled from twenty years of hockey…”
This self-description reveals Lucas Davenport’s physicality and athletic background, key aspects of his character. The moment of vanity also shows his self-awareness and confidence.
5. “‘I’d say you’re on the big side of average,’ she said. ‘Maybe. Now gimme my goddamn one minute.’”
This humorous exchange about male anatomy reveals the playful, sexually charged dynamic between Lucas and DeeDee. It showcases the novel’s blend of crime drama with character-driven relationships and banter.