# XXXI: 8:37 p.m.—Five Years Later explained — Murder by the Clock

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

## What happens

Five years after the Endicott case, Mrs. Hollander (formerly Mrs. Endicott) contacts Inspector Valcour, worried about her current husband Thomas Hollander's safety. Valcour reflects on the past case, concluding that Mrs. Hollander was the true murderer, manipulating others like puppets. He heads to her apartment, wondering if Thomas has become another puppet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Control

Valcour sees Mrs. Hollander as a puppeteer controlling others, reflecting her obsessive need for control.

### Guilt and Innocence

Valcour's reflections reveal his belief that Mrs. Hollander escaped justice, highlighting the theme of guilt unpunished.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Endicott

Now Mrs. Hollander, she calls Valcour to express worry about her husband Thomas, revealing her manipulative nature.

### Lieutenant Valcour

Now an Inspector, he reflects on the past case and his belief that Mrs. Hollander was the true murderer.

### Thomas Hollander

Current husband of Mrs. Hollander, whose safety is the subject of her call to Valcour.

## Key lines

> She was the true murderer of her husband, and not Marge Myles.

Valcour believes Mrs. Hollander, not Marge, was responsible for her husband's death.

_Valcour's internal conclusion about the past case._

> The movements of the others had been nothing more than gyrations performed by stringed puppets.

Valcour sees everyone else as mere puppets manipulated by Mrs. Hollander.

_Valcour's metaphor for Mrs. Hollander's control._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters/xxxi-8-37-p-m-five-years-later
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/murder_by_the_clock_se/chapters