Murder in the Gunroom · Chapter
The Trap Springs explained
Rand and Varcek go to confront Fred Dunmore in the library, but Dunmore ambushes them from the stairway with a silenced pistol.
What happens
Rand and Varcek go to confront Fred Dunmore in the library, but Dunmore ambushes them from the stairway with a silenced pistol. Rand is struck in the chest but is protected by a bulletproof vest loaned by Mick McKenna. Rand returns fire, and Ritter, who had positioned himself in the hall, finishes Dunmore when he tries to escape. After the shooting, Rand explains that Dunmore had planned to kill both him and Varcek to frame Varcek for murder. Rand then calls Goode, McKenna, and Tipton to arrange the final resolution of the case.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Fred Dunmore's friendly demeanor concealed his murderous intent; Rand's apparent vulnerability was a ruse.
Murder and Justice
The chapter culminates in Dunmore's death, resolving the murder of Lane Fleming and Arnold Rivers through violent confrontation rather than legal process.
Scientific Method vs. Intuition
Rand's deduction that Varcek's biochemical knowledge would have led to a more sophisticated murder contrasts with Dunmore's clumsy ambush.
Characters to notice
- Jeff Rand
Survives an assassination attempt thanks to a bulletproof vest; kills Fred Dunmore in self-defense.
- Fred Dunmore
Revealed as the murderer; dies in a shootout with Rand and Ritter.
- Anton Varcek
Accompanies Rand to confront Dunmore; learns of Dunmore's treachery.
- Dave Ritter
Acts as backup, kills Dunmore when he tries to escape; displays competence as Rand's assistant.
- Humphrey Goode
Receives a phone call from Rand promising to keep the Premix Company out of the scandal in exchange for cooperation.
- Mick McKenna
Loaned Rand the bulletproof vest that saved his life.
Key passages
“A lance of yellow fire jumped out of the shadows of the stairway, and there was a soft cough of a silenced pistol, almost lost in the click-click of the breech-action.”
A silenced pistol flashed from the dark stairway, its cough barely audible.
Describes the sudden ambush by Dunmore.
“I'm wearing a bulletproof vest; Mick McKenna loaned it to me yesterday.”
Rand reveals he is protected by a vest McKenna provided.
Explains Rand's survival and the premeditated trap.
“If you'd killed Lane Fleming, there'd have been no clumsy business of fake accidents; not as long as both of you ate at the same table. He'd have just died, an unimpeachably natural death.”
Rand tells Varcek that a biochemist like him would have used poison, not a fake accident.
Highlights Rand's reasoning for eliminating Varcek as a suspect.