The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 38: GRAYSON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnGrayson awakens from a vivid nightmare featuring a labyrinth of glass shards reflecting key figures in his life—Avery, Emily, Eve, and the twins Gigi and Savannah. The dream leaves him unsettled, and he realizes he has overslept. Checking his phone, he finds no updates on the mysterious “List” or from Gigi, but he resists the urge to follow up, trusting his strategic delay. Grayson reflects on his plan to manipulate Gigi’s access to password-protected files and considers the advantage of Eve redirecting her spy’s focus onto him, which could protect his family.
The narrative shifts to Grayson meeting his private investigator, Zabrowski, after a morning swim. Zabrowski delivers two forged keys matching Gigi’s, which Grayson inspects before pocketing. The PI updates him on Sheffield Grayson’s legal troubles, revealing tax evasion, offshore income concealment, and potential embezzlement from a company he co-owned with his mother-in-law. Grayson deduces Sheffield sold the company to avoid scrutiny from the trusts’ trustee, Trowbridge. Though the FBI’s progress is unclear, Grayson is relieved they haven’t located Sheffield, ensuring Avery’s safety.
Zabrowski also provides a file on Mattias Slater, Eve’s spy, whose father had a criminal history with one conviction—possibly linked to Vincent Blake. Grayson recalls Slater’s ominous warning and learns about his struggling mother, hinting at potential leverage. He instructs Zabrowski to prioritize uncovering trust paperwork while continuing to investigate Slater. The exchange underscores Grayson’s methodical approach to gathering intelligence and neutralizing threats.
The chapter concludes with a lighter tone as Grayson encounters Gigi causing a scene in the hotel lobby. She theatrically mimics his mannerisms while questioning security about his whereabouts, amusing the guards despite their refusal to cooperate. Grayson intervenes, exasperated but subtly amused by her antics. This moment contrasts with the tension of earlier scenes, highlighting Gigi’s unpredictable energy and Grayson’s grudging tolerance for her as he navigates their alliance.
FAQs
1. What symbolic meaning might Grayson’s dream about the labyrinth and glass shards hold, based on the chapter’s context?
Answer:
Grayson’s dream represents his current psychological state and the complex web of relationships and responsibilities he’s navigating. The labyrinth symbolizes the intricate challenges he faces (the FBI investigation, Gigi’s search, Eve’s surveillance), while the suspended glass shards reflect how each decision could have painful consequences (“slicing into his flesh”). The images reflected in the shards—Avery, Emily, Eve, Gigi, Savannah—represent the people he feels responsible for protecting or managing, suggesting he’s trapped by these obligations. This aligns with his waking anxiety (“phantom fist locked around his lungs”) and his methodical approach to strategizing next moves.2. How does the information about Sheffield Grayson’s business dealings and the FBI investigation connect to Grayson Hawthorne’s current concerns?
Answer:
The revelation that Sheffield Grayson embezzled from his own company (of which he only owned 30%) and sold it after his mother-in-law’s death ties directly to Grayson Hawthorne’s protective instincts toward Avery. Sheffield’s crimes (tax evasion, hiding income) explain why the FBI is freezing accounts, which could expose Avery’s hidden location. Grayson’s deduction that Sheffield sold the company to avoid trustee scrutiny (likely Trowbridge) shows his analytical skills in piecing together threats. His question “How hard are the feds pushing?” reveals his priority: ensuring the investigation doesn’t lead to Avery, hence his relief when Zabrowski confirms Sheffield remains elusive.3. Analyze the significance of Mattias Slater’s background and how it might influence his role as Eve’s spy.
Answer:
Mattias Slater’s background—particularly his father’s criminal ties and failed expensive defenses—suggests he may have been recruited or coerced into working for Eve. Grayson’s speculation that Slater’s father “ran afoul of the boss” (possibly Vincent Blake) implies Eve could be exploiting Slater’s family debts (his mother’s medical bankruptcy) for leverage. His clean record contrasts with his ominous statement (“You don’t want to know what I’ve done”), hinting at undisclosed crimes or loyalty to Eve’s agenda. This makes him a dangerous wildcard: someone with skills to evade detection but potentially vulnerable to manipulation, which Grayson seems to recognize by prioritizing further investigation.4. How does the scene with Gigi in the hotel lobby reveal both her personality and her dynamic with Grayson?
Answer:
Gigi’s theatrical behavior (standing on a chair, doing impressions) showcases her bold, unconventional personality and refusal to be intimidated by authority (security). Her humorous description of Grayson (“blond and broody”) contrasts with his controlled demeanor, highlighting their clash of styles. Yet her persistence in finding him suggests she relies on his strategic mind despite their friction. Grayson’s intervention—terse but not punitive—indicates a begrudging tolerance, possibly because he needs her cooperation regarding the files. Their dynamic balances antagonism with mutual utility, a theme reinforced by his earlier internal debate about contacting her.5. What strategic advantages does Grayson gain by having Zabrowski create decoy keys, and how does this reflect his overall approach to conflict?
Answer:
The decoy keys allow Grayson to control Gigi’s access to sensitive files while buying time to assess the FBI’s movements—a classic stalling tactic. By ensuring the keys visually match Gigi’s original, he maintains her trust while preventing her from acting prematurely. This reflects his preference for indirect, multi-layered strategies: he simultaneously gathers intel (via Zabrowski), manipulates Eve’s surveillance (“pulling her spy onto him”), and prepares countermeasures. His patience (“Patience was a virtue”) underscores his belief in preparation over impulsivity, even under pressure. The keys symbolize his broader philosophy: never engage in a battle without controlling the terrain first.
Quotes
1. “Grayson dreamed of a labyrinth. He stood at the center, glass shards suspended in the air all around him. He couldn’t walk forward, couldn’t step back without one slicing into his flesh.”
This vivid dream sequence symbolizes Grayson’s psychological state—trapped by the consequences of his actions and relationships (Avery, Emily, Eve, etc.). The imagery of glass shards reflects how each choice carries potential harm, establishing the chapter’s tension.
2. “Patience was a virtue. He’d seen to it that she wouldn’t get anywhere with her search of any password-protected files. That gave him time.”
This quote reveals Grayson’s strategic mindset as he manipulates Gigi’s access to information. It underscores his calculated approach to power dynamics and foreshadows his impending moves in the conflict.
3. “‘This is where it gets interesting. Turns out Sheffield Grayson only owned a thirty percent stake. His mother-in-law, who funded the thing, owned the rest.’”
A pivotal revelation about the financial intrigue surrounding Sheffield Grayson’s embezzlement case. This exposes the hidden power structures in the Grayson family and connects to broader themes of inheritance and betrayal.
4. “‘You don’t want to know,’ Mattias Slater had said, ‘what I’ve done.’”
This cryptic line from Eve’s spy hints at a dark past and moral ambiguity. It deepens the mystery around Slater’s allegiance and raises stakes for Grayson’s investigation into the Blake family’s connections.
5. “‘Eyebrow arch,’ Gigi told the security guard in a deep, dramatic voice. ‘Followed by an imperative sentence.’”
A humorous yet revealing moment where Gigi mimics Grayson’s authoritative demeanor. This showcases their adversarial dynamic while subtly highlighting how others perceive Grayson’s controlling nature.