Truly Devious

Stevie meets with Dr. Charles, who asks her about Hayes and the decision to use the tunnel. He tells Stevie that although he wanted her to put a human face to the Ellingham murders, he wasn’t expecting her to learn such a “terrible lesson on loss” (292) with the death of Hayes. He brings her to the attic once more and instructs her to organize Ellingham’s belongings that are stored there. He claims that this isn’t a punishment, but a project, and Stevie is pleased to have access to such a big part of the Ellingham family.

As Stevie combs through the documents and mementos, she remembers how Albert Ellingham told Robert Mackenzie that he was going to take his boat out on October 30, 1938, and how the boat exploded. A bomb was placed on board, and the public opinion is that anarchists are to blame. Back in 1936, George Marsh is interviewed by Agent Samuel Arnold. George explains that he became friends with Albert Ellingham because he saved Albert’s life years ago when anarchists planted a bomb on Ellingham’s car. Ellingham recommended George for the FBI, and now he comes whenever Albert needs his help.