Montgomery proposes to Devine that the two escape the city together, but Devine pragmatically declines, noting the suspicion it would raise. Their conversation reveals more about their backgrounds and aspirations, adding depth to their characters and highlighting the novel’s exploration of personal choices versus societal expectations.

This chapter introduces the possibility that Montgomery’s role in Cowl’s life is part of a pattern, suggesting that she may be one in a line of “messenger girls.” The discovery of a previous girlfriend’s demise adds a layer of foreboding and expands the narrative’s examination of the expendability of individuals within the elite’s machinations.

The decision for Montgomery to remain in her current situation underscores the theme of vigilantism in the face of danger. Devine’s revelation about Ewes’s artificial insemination, and the subsequent police interest in his potential role as the donor, propels the murder investigation forward while raising ethical questions about privacy and consent.