The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 28
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with the protagonist finding Jameson at the top of a climbing wall, where he dramatically drops down upon hearing about a game left by their grandfather. Despite the dangerous height, Jameson lands effortlessly, showcasing his reckless yet skilled nature. Their banter reveals his troubled childhood and his tendency to seek attention through risky behavior. The protagonist then reveals the existence of a game designed by their grandfather, which was meant to be delivered if she ever met Eve, hinting at deeper family secrets and foreshadowing future revelations.
Jameson and the protagonist discuss the game’s first clue, which leads them to search for a chess set. Jameson mentions the six chess sets in the game room but suggests checking a binder detailing the protagonist’s inheritance for more information. The binder reveals a seventh, extraordinarily valuable chess set made of white gold and diamonds, valued at nearly half a million dollars. Realizing this set must be in the Hawthorne vault, the protagonist calls Oren to escort them there, setting the stage for the next phase of their quest.
Inside the vault, the duo meticulously searches through the treasures, including a stunning gold scepter that catches the protagonist’s eye. The discovery of the diamond-encrusted chess set is described in vivid detail, emphasizing its craftsmanship and opulence. The protagonist carefully examines each piece, eventually noticing a subtle seam on the black queen. With Jameson’s help, she uses a jeweler’s loupe and tweezers to extract a hidden strip of black paper, showcasing her determination and attention to detail.
The chapter concludes with the protagonist successfully retrieving the hidden message, written in Tobias Hawthorne’s distinctive handwriting. This moment underscores the grandfather’s penchant for elaborate puzzles and the emotional weight of his legacy. The discovery not only advances the game but also deepens the mystery, leaving readers eager to learn the contents of the message and its implications for the protagonist and Jameson. The chapter masterfully blends suspense, character dynamics, and intricate plotting, maintaining the series’ signature tension and intrigue.
FAQs
1. How does Jameson’s physical introduction in this chapter reflect his character traits established earlier in the story?
Answer:
Jameson’s dramatic drop from the climbing wall reinforces his reckless, thrill-seeking nature and physical prowess, consistent with his established characterization. The text notes he lands “in a crouch” without injury, mirroring their first meeting, which demonstrates his calculated risk-taking. His dark humor about childhood attention-seeking (“deprived of maternal attention unless bleeding”) further reveals his complex relationship with vulnerability and emotional expression. These elements combine to portray him as someone who uses physical feats to communicate, deflect emotions, and test limits—traits that persist throughout the narrative.2. Analyze the significance of the royal chess set as a clue in Tobias Hawthorne’s game. What does its design and concealment method reveal about his approach to puzzles?
Answer:
The chess set’s extravagant design (white gold/diamonds, 5,000 artisan hours) reflects Hawthorne’s signature blend of luxury and intellect. Hiding the clue inside the black queen’s base—requiring jeweler’s tools to extract a paper strip—demonstrates his layered puzzle design philosophy: valuable clues are concealed in plain sight but demand meticulous examination. The “Queen’s Gambit” reference also suggests strategic misdirection, as the protagonists initially sought a chess set rather than analyzing individual pieces. This mirrors Hawthorne’s tendency to embed meta-commentary within puzzles (beauty/power themes in the scepter observation).3. What does the collaborative dynamic between the protagonist and Jameson reveal about their evolving relationship in this chapter?
Answer:
Their partnership shows deepened trust and complementary skills. Jameson immediately engages with the puzzle (“How far through the game are you?”), suggesting shared intellectual priorities. His binder suggestion proves crucial, while the protagonist takes lead on physical clue extraction—a role reversal from his typical dominance in physical challenges. Their shoulder-to-shoulder work with the tweezers (“his shoulder brushing mine”) and Jameson’s unwavering confidence (“You won’t [tear it]”) demonstrate emotional support beyond rivalry. This marks progression from their earlier tension, showing how shared purpose facilitates vulnerability.4. Evaluate how the vault setting contributes to the chapter’s themes of legacy and hidden truths.
Answer:
The vault—containing artifacts like crown jewels and the chess set—serves as a physical manifestation of the Hawthorne family’s concealed history. Oren’s remark about off-site storage hints at deeper secrets beyond immediate access, paralleling the narrative’s exploration of Tobias’s undisclosed motives. The protagonists’ methodical drawer search mirrors their broader quest to uncover layered family truths. The vault’s security measures (contrasting with Jameson’s reckless climbing) emphasize that some revelations require systematic effort rather than brute force, reinforcing the theme that legacy involves both visible wealth and carefully guarded knowledge.
Quotes
1. “Jameson smirked. ‘It’s possible that I was deprived of maternal attention as a child unless I was bleeding.’”
This quote reveals Jameson’s dark humor and hints at his complex family dynamics, showcasing his reckless behavior as a cry for attention. It adds depth to his character while maintaining the chapter’s tense yet playful tone.
2. “The pieces were made of white gold, encrusted with black and white diamonds—nearly ten thousand of them. The pictures were breathtaking.”
This description of the royal chess set emphasizes the extravagant wealth of the Hawthorne family and the high stakes of the game. It serves as a turning point where the protagonists shift from searching to discovering.
3. “I looked at the drawer he’d opened. So this is what ten thousand diamonds looks like.”
This impactful moment captures the awe-inspiring nature of their discovery, blending the physical magnificence of the chess set with the intellectual challenge it represents. It marks a key progression in the mystery.
4. “His green eyes met mine. ‘You won’t.’”
This brief exchange demonstrates the deep trust and connection between the characters during a tense moment of discovery. Jameson’s unwavering confidence in the protagonist underscores their partnership in solving the puzzle.
5. “The only message Tobias Hawthorne had ever left me before was th-”
This cliffhanger ending (though cut off) represents the chapter’s ultimate revelation - that the chess set contains a hidden message from the late Tobias Hawthorne. It creates anticipation for the next development in the mystery.