Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
Detective Simpson visits Charly and reveals a prime suspect: Kyle Barry, linked by neighbors’ accounts, locksmith skills, and partial prints, and who has confessed. During a photo lineup, Charly’s memory flashes back to the attack, and she positively identifies Barry. The case against her shooter solidifies, offering closure.
Summary
Five months after the shooting, Charly struggles with dexterity and urgent continence as her mother helps with a stubborn shirt button. As Charly needs the bathroom during a busy shift change, Detective Simpson arrives unexpectedly, alarming her.
Detective Simpson explains they have a suspect: Kyle Barry. He outlines the evidence—an old threat in Charly’s clinic waiting room recalled by a receptionist, a neighbor’s sighting, Barry’s locksmith background explaining the bypassed locks, and partial prints in Charly’s apartment and on the wiped gun. He adds that Barry fled out of state and has now confessed.
Despite her mother’s concern, Charly agrees to view a photo lineup. Startled as the detective reaches into his jacket, Charly loses bladder control but proceeds. She pages through intimidating faces while Simpson urges her to try despite her memory gaps.
A face triggers a vivid flashback: Charly entering her apartment, seeing the bald man at her desk, his beady brown eyes, and the gun pointed at her. The recovered memory crystallizes her recognition and fear.
Charly identifies Kyle Barry in the lineup, confirming the detective’s case. Overwhelmed by the realization and relief that her shooter has been caught, she vomits on the photo album as her mother reacts with alarm.
Who Appears
- Dr. Charlotte (Charly) McKennaStroke patient and shooting victim; struggles with buttons and urgency; recalls attack and positively IDs Kyle Barry.
- Detective SimpsonLeads the case; presents evidence and a photo lineup; reports Barry’s confession; secures Charly’s identification.
- Charly’s motherAssists Charly with dressing; protective and hesitant about the lineup; witnesses Charly’s distress and ID.
- Kyle BarryBald, brown-eyed assailant; ex-locksmith; linked by prints; flees, then confesses; identified by Charly in photos.