# XVI: 2:13 a.m.—Time Versus Death explained — Murder by the Clock

> Chapter companion for Murder by the Clock by Rufus King.

## What happens

At 2:13 a.m., Officer O'Brian receives a mysterious phone call from Thomas Hollander's apartment, where Lieutenant Valcour is found bound and dazed. Valcour instructs O'Brian to warn Dr. Worth that Hollander is armed with a knife and intends to kill Endicott. A plan is devised to lure Hollander out of Endicott's room, but Hollander attempts to stab Endicott before being shot by Cassidy and Hansen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Control

Hollander's relentless pursuit of Endicott, even while Endicott is incapacitated, demonstrates his obsessive need to silence him.

### The Psychology of Murder

Hollander's calm and deliberate attempt to stab Endicott, despite being under police surveillance, reveals a calculated and cold-blooded mindset.

### Deception of the Senses

The officers conceal themselves from Endicott's view, and Hollander's friendly demeanor masks his murderous intent.

## Character check-ins

### O'Brian

Receives a strange phone call from Hollander's apartment and alerts the precinct, leading to Valcour's rescue.

### Lieutenant Valcour

Found bound in Hollander's apartment; orchestrates a plan to stop Hollander from killing Endicott.

### Thomas Hollander

Attempts to murder Endicott with a stiletto but is shot by police officers.

### Herbert Endicott

Weak and recovering, he confronts Hollander and insists he will tell the police the truth.

### Dr. Worth

Awakened by Nurse Murrow and later informed of Hollander's threat; participates in the plan to apprehend him.

### Cassidy

Fires a bullet that shatters Hollander's wrist, preventing the murder.

## Key lines

> Neither you nor all the devils in hell can stop me from telling.

Endicott defiantly asserts that no force, not even hell itself, will prevent him from revealing the truth.

_Endicott's determination to expose Hollander despite his weakened state._

> Can't I, Herb?

Hollander responds with a chilling rhetorical question, implying that he can indeed stop Endicott.

_Hollander's confidence in his ability to silence Endicott._

> It's your friend, Herb.

Hollander identifies himself as Endicott's friend, though his actions are anything but friendly.

_The irony of Hollander's claim of friendship while preparing to kill._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xvi-2-13-a-m-time-versus-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters