Summary

In Section 1, Brady uses his false identity as Ralph Jones to buy a pound of Gopher-Go that has strychnine as the main ingredient. Symptoms include muscle spasms and convulsions. He decides he will give the dog the poison in a ball of hamburger meat and that Hodges, whom Brady calls “the fat ex-cop” (156), will understand the dog’s death is his fault for tormenting Brady. As Brady thinks his plan through more fully, he considers that Hodges knowing he has poisoned the dog is not a good idea since he might involve the police. Brady’s head is hurting again so he lies down in his bedroom but knows the pain will not be relieved unless he goes to his mother. In her bed, the headache begins to ease almost immediately. She asks if he needs her to take care of him...