The narrator arrives early at Olive Garden, feeling nervous and contemplating disturbing thoughts and memories.
Rodney enters, looking disheveled, and they order drinks and a meal, though the narrator is intent on staying clearheaded.
The narrator confronts Rodney with a fabricated story about the police investigation regarding Mr. Black's death being tied to his will and Giselle not receiving anything.
Rodney reacts with surprise and discomfort, revealing more than he intends to in his responses.
Through careful dialogue, the narrator sows seeds of doubt and suspicion about Rodney's connections and knowledge of the case.
Rodney becomes increasingly unsettled as the narrator recounts her interactions with the police and mentions that the detectives will sweep the Black suite again.
The narrator deceptively implicates Rodney and his friend Juan Manuel in illegal activities, leading Rodney to panic.
Rodney, desperate to hide evidence, asks the narrator to clean the suite before the police arrive to protect Juan Manuel from potential deportation.
The narrator turns the tables on Rodney, suggesting he should clean the suite himself using her trolley.
Rodney agrees to the plan, and they arrange for the narrator to sneak in and pass him the key.
As they leave, the narrator makes Rodney pay for the meal, while subtly suggesting she is in control, much to Rodney's irritation.
The chapter ends with the narrator feeling a sense of victory and anticipation about the culmination of her plans.