# VII explained — Little Caesar

> Chapter companion for Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett.

## What happens

Rico hides out in Ma Magdalena's secret basement hideout after killing Police Captain Courtney. He plans to stay for two days before fleeing, and arranges for a car and a mechanic's disguise. Ma Magdalena brings him coffee and newspapers reporting the murder and Joe Massara's arrest.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fear and Paranoia

Rico's jumpy nerves and resentment reflect the paranoia of a hunted criminal.

### Crime and Consequence

Rico faces the immediate consequences of murdering Courtney, forced into hiding.

## Character check-ins

### Rico

Hides in Ma Magdalena's basement hideout, reads about his own notoriety in the papers.

### Ma Magdalena

Lets Rico in through the alley door, provides shelter and supplies.

### Joe Massara

Arrested and named in the papers as a gang chief, described as wearing a tuxedo.

### The Greek

Mentioned as having been captured by the police.

### Sam Vettori

Reported as having been captured; Rico dismisses him.

## Key lines

> Just when I thought things was on the up and up.

Rico feels frustrated that his plans have fallen apart just when he believed everything was going well.

_Reflects Rico's resentment and sense of betrayal by fate._

> Yeah, and I'm the only one they ain't gonna get.

Rico boasts that he will evade capture despite the police closing in on his associates.

_Shows Rico's defiant confidence and determination to escape._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters