Mystic River

Sean’s boss, Detective Lieutenant Friel, arrives to question him about Whitey’s competency and discern whether Sean will “have any more incidents like the last one” (142). Sean guarantees that Whitey is more than capable and that he, himself, will never repeat what earned him his suspension. When Friel says that Sean must know the area and the people because he grew up there, Sean clarifies that he grew up in the Point. Before he leaves, Friel asks the troopers about their plans of working through the case; they list off the limited physical evidence they have (most of it was washed away by rain), her probable cause of death, and their plans to interview those close to her. Sean and Whitey lead the coroners van, with Katie’s body inside, out of the park so they can notify the next of kin, Jimmy.

Annabeth and Jimmy wait outside the entrance of the park, fighting the knowledge that Katie is dead. Jimmy holds onto the hope that until he sees a body, she might not be gone. As the press arrives, the troopers react instantly, sealing off entrance for them. This, and the noises of sirens and helicopters in the air, send Annabeth into a panic; she pleads with Jimmy “in the saddest