Outlander Book Club: The Fiery Cross Chapter 55 breakdown
Just the Outlander chapter
We start the chapter with Jamie finding out Jocasta wants to see him. Both he and Claire head to Jocasta’s bedroom, where Duncan, Roger, and Brianna are waiting.
It’s time to break down everything that’s happened, starting with Betty’s murder. Who could have done it? It all comes back to Jocasta and River Run, and we can go back to the arrest of the priest at the Gathering to get an idea. You didn’t think that was just something to do with the priest being Catholic, right?
Oh no. Somebody wanted to force Jocasta into a marriage. That’s why they waited for Jocasta and Duncan’s wedding at River Run rather than killing Duncan at a point between the Gathering and the wedding. By killing Duncan at the wedding and making it look like an accident, the murderer could force Jocasta into a wedding because the priest was already there. With the consummation of the marriage, River Run would be this person’s.
Roger realizes that it was likely Wolff. Everyone commented on how drunk Wolff was, but Roger notes that he didn’t seem all that drunk later on in the day. Maybe Wolff made it look like he was drunk to avert suspicion. He gave Betty the drink with the drugs to give to Duncan and would then have likely pushed him in the river or something similar to make Duncan’s death look like an accident.
However, Duncan didn’t take the drink and Betty drank it instead. Knowing that Betty would be able to share what happened, Wolff then went to kill Betty, putting ground glass into something that was taken to her room.
Nobody can confirm this is exactly what happened, but it’s a good enough theory.
Then the conversation moves onto the attack in Jocasta’s room. Who was the second man? Everyone suspects Wolff again. It would make sense for a Navy officer to know the pirates. If he wanted the gold, he’d need a pirate to help sell off the gold. Brianna also notes that Wolff took a boat part way through the day, which would have been time to get Bonnet.
Nothing can be done, but everyone knows to watch out for Lieutenant Wolff.
On the ride home, Major MacDonald comes across the Frasers. He has a letter for Jamie. It’s a summons for the militia from Tryon. The War of the Regulation is coming.