Chapters 16-21
Raymond has a wild night in dealing with Clement taking a shot at him and then an intimate encounter with Carolyn. Both Clement and Raymond then spend the next two chapters thinking of what to do next. What conclusions do both come up with?
Raymond realizes that if Clement is willing to go this far to kill him and since Carolyn is going to get herself killed trying to control Clement, he needs to stop playing around and prepare to take Clement down at any cost, which is seen when he puts up his .38 and grabs the Colt out of his cabinet. Clement realizes he needs to stop thinking so hard, get some money and get out. This is seen when he plans to threaten Carolyn for money and then when he breaks Skender's for the money in his safe.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Raymond has wisely opted for a more powerful weapon for protection, he still tries to methodically find a way to get the evidence to charge Clement for the judge’s murder. In contrast, Clement displays a quick mind, but he still acts on impulse as though he is an animal.
DeleteRaymond continues to follow proper police procedure to try to pin the judge’s murder on Clement. He not only is careful about how he carries on his investigation, yet, is mindful to advise others on how to handle Clement so he is not once again acquitted from a serious charge due to a technicality.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, Clement acts as though he is invincible. In a ruse, he again displays a streak of extreme cruelty to obtain cash from an Albanian man who has made it clear his people do not shy away from acts of vengeance. And, even though Sandy has second thoughts about carrying out the deceit, Clement has her under his strict control. This domination only adds to his maniacal view of his power and invulnerability.
Ultimately, the conclusions they both come up with are tied to Carolyn. Raymond realizes that Clement is willing to kill anyone necessary to his plan, including Carolyn, to whom Raymond had an intimate encounter with. Clement plans to leverage Carolyn with threats in order to get money.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have no read ahead in the book, I still fee that Clement's smug and overly-confident demeanor will ultimately lead to his downfall.
Like you - I have, yet, to finish the book. However, I agree with your suggestion that Carolyn will somehow involved in the story's climax, since she is the link between the two men.
DeleteI have found the writer's attention to detail in regards to police procedures makes for a smoother read. I enjoy the way Cruz really wants to do it by the book and make sure they build an air tight case against Clement. It is almost like the meeting between the two men encouraged them to each play their roles to the fullest and go about their business to the best of their ability. For Cruz that means making sure all of his colleagues are on top of their games as well. For Clement it means that he as to get creative and find a different means of capital to finance and escape. To that end he makes a play at black mailing his attorney. I like how the tension is mounting on both sides.
ReplyDeleteI am finding the cruelty displayed by Clement to be relentless. To justify why the "Wildman" is not, yet, behind bars,I have to keep reminding myself only a few days has past since the judge's murder and Clement's other criminal acts. In reality, most people are actually arrested on circumstantial evidence and there certainly seems to have been enough of that to at least charge Clement with one of his offenses.
ReplyDelete