1. In Chapter 29, why does Brian suddenly feel it is important to tell Sarah to make Miles back off of Otis Timson? What does Brian reveal to the reader in this chapter?

2. In Chapter 22, after visiting Earl Getlin, what conclusion does Charlie come to about Sims' statements?

3. In Chapter 28, why does the unnamed narrator say he finally felt as though he could stop watching the Ryan home? Why is this?

4. What does Charlie imply he knows about Brian Andrews? How does Miles respond?

5. In Chapter 20, where does Charlie decide to go in order to try to help Miles out of the mess he has created for himself?

6. Why does Miles not tell Charlie the truth about his car accident and why he had Brian Andrews handcuffed in the back of his car? Why does Charlie not question him further?

7. In Chapter 31, how does Miles react when Charlie comes to speak to him? What does Charlie want from Miles?

8. What threats against Miles does the district attorney and the Timson family attorney make to Charlie?

9. Why does Miles not file a report on Sims Addison before his shift is over? How does Sims use this to his advantage?

10. In Chapter 26, when does Miles finally notice that Sarah has gone? Why does he notice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following relationships in an essay:

1) Miles and Jonah.

2) Jonah and Sarah.

3) Sarah and her mother.

4) Miles and Charlie.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Charlie take Miles' guns and his case file in Missy's death? What is Charlie afraid Miles will do? Does the reader think Miles is capable of such an act? Why does Miles later find a gun that he had hidden away? What does Miles plan to do with this gun? Would killing the person responsible really make things easier for Miles in regards to Missy's death? Would Missy have wanted him to do such a thing? What would happen to Jonah? Would Charlie be able to arrest Miles for such an act?