Contents
34. A Chain ’Bout Nine Miles Long
Overview
In the aftermath at Jammer’s, Jackie is honored as a self-sacrifice while the gangs disperse. Beauvoir recruits Angie for the Projects to explore her visions, and Turner tells her Mitchell is dead before leaving. Bobby agrees to join them. News cycles confirm Virek’s death and wider chaos.
Summary
Turner and Beauvoir carry Jackie to the stage at Jammer’s, covering her with an old coat. Beauvoir calls her death a self-sacrifice, while Bobby notes the Gothicks and Kasuals are leaving. Turner, numbed by Jackie’s death, checks on the sleeping Angie and Jammer and reflects that Conroy likely died in Jaylene Slide’s retaliation.
Turner scans the news: a Macau ferry disaster, a Park Avenue attack, doubts about an Arizona nuclear blast, and reports of Josef Virek’s death in Stockholm. Angie wakes, saying she didn’t dream, and Beauvoir invites her to the Projects, claiming they can teach her about the visions and what’s in her head.
Angie hesitates, wanting to stay with Turner. Turner tells her Mitchell is dead and hangs Conroy’s wallet around her neck, warning the dossier won’t tell the whole story. Beauvoir frames Angie’s abilities as significant, and Turner agrees the Projects might be best for her safety.
Before leaving, Turner unloads his revolver and places it silently beside Jackie, acknowledging Bobby’s role in the night’s events. He exits Jammer’s, saying he needs kerosene, effectively parting ways.
After Turner’s departure, Bobby sees Angie crying against Beauvoir’s shoulder and, despite jealousy, agrees to go to the Projects. On the office screen, a news recap rolls past his mother’s face as the world outside registers Virek’s death and other violent disruptions.
Who Appears
- TurnerMourns Jackie, tells Angie her father is dead, gives her Conroy’s wallet, leaves his gun by Jackie, then departs.
- BeauvoirLeads post-crisis rites for Jackie, interprets her death as self-sacrifice, recruits Angie to the Projects.
- Bobby Newmark (Count Zero)Shaken after the run; confirms gangs are leaving; agrees to join Angie and Beauvoir at the Projects.
- Angie (Angela Mitchell)Wakes without dreams; is told her father is dead; agrees to go with Beauvoir to understand her visions.
- JackieKilled during the run; laid out on the stage and honored as a self-sacrifice.
- JammerExhausted and injured, sleeps in his office after the crisis at his club.
- ConroyDoes not call back; presumed killed by Jaylene’s retaliation; his wallet and dossier go to Angie.
- Jaylene SlideOffstage avenger of Ramirez; her swift strike likely kills Conroy.
- Marsha NewmarkBobby’s mother appears briefly on a news recap, underscoring outside-world fallout.