Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of We Solve Murders intensifies the tension as Amy and Rosie find themselves in a life-threatening situation on a scorching South Carolina afternoon. Amy, driven by urgency, insists on stealing a fast car to escape the mounting danger, even as Rosie voices her concerns about the ongoing gunfire in the vicinity. Despite the close proximity of the bullets, Amy dismisses them, believing they aren’t aimed at them and that the gunfire will subside soon. The underlying urgency stems from a disturbing message from Jeff, who urged them to stay under the radar and avoid returning to London. In this moment of distress, Amy realizes they are isolated, with no one left to turn to but each other. The pair must operate covertly, avoiding any traces of their whereabouts—this includes refraining from using credit cards, which adds to Rosie’s already overwhelming sense of dread.

The danger heightens as the two women take cover beneath a pool cover in a neighbor’s yard, the nearby gunfire sending their adrenaline levels soaring. While they’re hiding, Amy recalls a significant discovery—Scroggie’s involvement in the murder of Andrew Fairbanks. The shocking discovery of scandalous emails, which implicated Scroggie in illegal activities, was made at his house. Furthermore, a grocery bag containing one hundred thousand dollars adds to the gravity of the situation. This sudden windfall of money provides the women with an emergency fund to rely on, potentially giving them a fighting chance to escape the escalating chaos and solve the case that has entangled them. However, their immediate concern remains survival, and the money they found is now key to that.

Amidst their frantic hiding and contemplation, Amy begins to suspect that law enforcement is not just a bystander in these events, but may be actively involved in the conspiracy. As she processes the connections between Scroggie’s actions and the larger network of players at hand, she reflects on possible sources of assistance. Rosie, ever the optimist, suggests that her friend Barb could be an ally, offering a brief moment of lightheartedness amidst the overwhelming tension. Despite Rosie’s attempt at humor, Amy knows the stakes are too high to rely on hopeful whims. The situation demands action, and Amy is resolute in her determination to keep pushing forward, even as the grim reality sets in. In a moment of clarity, she thinks of Jeff, knowing that she can trust him completely. However, with Jeff now in danger and possibly unreachable, Amy realizes the only other person she can rely on is Steve. The thought of involving Steve is daunting, as it would complicate their already strained relationship, but Amy recognizes that his expertise may be their only chance of survival.

In contrast to the seriousness of their predicament, Rosie maintains her characteristic light-heartedness, suggesting that she has a private plane available to make their escape. The idea catches Amy off guard, but it also sparks a plan. Amy knows that stealing a car and reaching out to Steve might be their best shot at staying one step ahead of their pursuers. However, she’s fully aware that involving Steve would complicate things further, given the personal history and the delicate nature of their relationship. Nevertheless, with the weight of the situation pushing her to act quickly, Amy resolves to take the risk and implement her plan. As the chapter draws to a close, the urgency of their situation is apparent, leaving readers hanging on the edge of their seats, wondering what actions the two women will take next in this escalating web of danger and intrigue. The chapter sets the stage for more high-stakes moves and dark revelations that will drive the narrative forward, highlighting Amy and Rosie’s determination to unravel the mystery, no matter the cost.