Chapter 22

Chapter 22 of We Solve Murders intensifies the investigation as Rosie and Amy are once again thrust into a gruesome situation. This time, they find themselves confronted with the lifeless body of Justin Scroggie, whose death further complicates the already dangerous web they are tangled in. Amy, undeterred by the shock of discovering yet another murder, focuses intently on getting access to Scroggie’s locked computer. Despite Rosie’s concerns that they might be overstepping their bounds by dealing with the body in such a casual manner, Amy insists they proceed with cutting down the corpse, fully aware that they need to access the computer for answers.

Rosie, ever the reluctant participant, begrudgingly follows Amy’s orders. She grabs a ceremonial sword to sever the rope, which holds Scroggie’s body in place, and with a swift motion, the body crashes to the floor. The two women immediately start trying to move the dead weight onto an office chair, struggling more than they had expected. The weight and awkwardness of the task emphasize the absurdity of their situation, yet they manage to make light of it, poking fun at their inability to handle such an odd task efficiently. Once they have Scroggie seated, Amy demands a makeup wipe to clean his finger, which seems like an odd request under the circumstances but is integral to their next plan.

Rosie pulls out an expensive clarifying wipe, proudly claiming it was sourced from Tibet, as though this makes it more fitting for the grisly task at hand. Amy cleans the blood from Scroggie’s index finger, preparing to use it for the fingerprint scanner, which seems like a good idea to unlock the computer. However, much to their disappointment, the computer rejects the fingerprint, leaving Amy frustrated and questioning what else they might try. Rosie, ever the practical one, points out that her device requires iris recognition, joking about how her “high-maintenance nails” prevent her from using a basic fingerprint scan. This brings a moment of levity to the tense scene, though it also reveals just how many obstacles they face in their pursuit of answers.

Undeterred by the setback, they turn their attention to another problem: getting Scroggie’s swollen eyelids open so that they can use the eyes for the camera’s recognition system. This proves to be another difficult task, but Rosie takes charge, carefully prying open the eyelids with determination. Once successful, they finally position the body in front of the camera in the hopes of capturing the necessary data. This painstaking effort pays off when the computer finally activates, indicating that their hard work and collaboration were not in vain. Amy and Rosie share a moment of accomplishment, despite the surreal nature of what they’ve just achieved. It’s a strange sense of victory, but in the world of crime-solving, these small triumphs matter.

As they celebrate their unlikely success, Rosie can’t help but make a sardonic remark, “Teamwork makes the dream work,” drawing a comparison between their efforts and a more mundane workplace achievement. This witty quip highlights the bond they’ve built through shared experiences, no matter how dark or bizarre the circumstances may be. The chapter underscores not just the urgency of their investigation but also the strong connection between Amy and Rosie as they navigate these complex and dangerous waters. Despite the absurdity of handling a dead body and using its body parts to unlock a computer, the women’s teamwork shines through as they manage to pull off something most people would consider unthinkable.

While the investigation takes a serious and dangerous turn, the lighthearted banter between Amy and Rosie provides much-needed relief. The dark humor in their dynamic helps to balance the high stakes of the case they are trying to solve. As the chapter draws to a close, it’s clear that the investigation has only just begun, and the events surrounding Scroggie’s death are part of a larger conspiracy that’s beginning to take shape. Amy’s resolve to solve the murders and bring justice to the victims is unwavering, and with Rosie by her side, they form an unlikely but formidable team. Their relationship, which blends moments of humor with the gravitas of the investigation, is central to the success of their mission. As they continue their work, they must confront not only the threat of murderers but also the moral dilemmas and risks of stepping deeper into the underworld they are uncovering. The chapter successfully combines suspense with humor, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of Amy and Rosie as they tackle the challenges ahead.