In the Heat of the Night

At his home, Bill studies police textbooks for the first time. He sees that he hasn’t been thorough in his investigation and admits that Virgil is a more adept detective. Thankfully, Bill can use Virgil as a resource to make himself look good. Bill goes to the station and finds Eric waiting for him. Eric wants a permit to carry a gun. He’s doing administrative work for the festival, and he doesn’t feel safe with a murderer on the loose. Bill tells Eric what forms to fill out, then sorts through mail in his office. Among his letters, Bill discovers an anonymous letter threatening that if Bill doesn’t do anything about Virgil, they’ll run Bill out of town. The letter infuriates Bill: “No southern white trash was going to tell a Texan what to do. And whether they liked it or not, he was chief of police and they weren’t going to take that away from him” (87). Bill is angry with Virgil for complicating his life, but he also doesn’t like being bossed around. Virgil will stay because Bill wants him to.

Bill asks for Virgil’s report on Enrico’s body, which Virgil happily provides. Reading the report, Bill is irritated at how smart Virgil is. Their conversation shifts to Sam. Virgil recounts how Sam deliberately changed his route during their patrol. Bill defends Sam, but also recognizes Sam had ample opportunity to kill Enrico. Frank calls. He wants an update on the case and repeats that Virgil needs to leave town. Bill becomes frustrated with the constant interruptions. Before hanging up, Bill asserts that Virgil will stay in Wells to help with the case. After the phone call, Bill goes to the bank and investigates Sam’s financial history. Sam’s had a checking account for several years at the same bank, but he recently paid off his mortgage with cash. Learning this, Bill becomes transfixed by the idea that Sam is the killer.

Sam enters the police station and sees Eric registering a gun. Eric apologizes for being defensive when Sam pulled him over, and he thanks Sam for caring about the community’s safety. Eric hopes to marry Duena someday, and Sam wishes him luck, although secretly he pines for Duena himself. Virgil returns to the station. He finds Bill in his office and presents him with the murder weapon—a bloodied piece of wood. Bill reveals he arrested Sam. Virgil defends Sam, convinced Bill has the wrong man. 

That night, Bill struggles to fall asleep, tormented by the details of the case. He admires Sam as a person, but not as a cop. Bill sleeps poorly, and he wakes up regretting that he doesn’t have the necessary skills to perform his work: “He felt no better in the morning and went to his office wishing, for the first time, he had not accepted the appointment for a job he was not properly qualified to fill” (98). Bill feels the tension growing in the station.

As Bill broods, Delores and her father arrive to speak with the police chief. Mr. Purdy is rude and crass. They claim Delores was raped and is pregnant. Bill lets Virgil come into the office, knowing it will upset Mr. Purdy. Virgil sits down beside Bill, sending Mr. Purdy into an uproar, and he refuses to speak until Virgil leaves. Bill argues with Mr. Purdy, but Virgil leaves of his own accord, motioning for Bill to turn on his intercom so he can listen in the other room. Bill turns on his desk intercom and questions Delores and Mr. Purdy. Delores claims Sam is the culprit. He was very nice to her, but he still took advantage of her innocence. Bill looks for Virgil, but he’s gone—he left quickly to pursue another lead.

Virgil visits the Endicotts to ask more questions. He clarifies where everyone was throughout the night of the murder and tells them Sam has been arrested. Virgil believes Sam is innocent, and he passionately declares he’ll clear Sam’s name and catch the real killer. After that, Virgil can return to his home, “where I have the right to walk down the sidewalk” (105). Virgil thanks the Endicotts for their cooperation. Duena wants to go to the police station to visit Sam, and Virgil agrees to take her. She finds Sam in his cell, anxious about his fate. Sam denies killing Duena’s father, so Duena tests him by asking Sam to hold her. Sam, hesitant, obeys. Embracing Duena, overcome with emotion, Sam repeats he didn’t kill her father, and Duena believes him. She kisses Sam, then leaves. Sam’s thoughts linger on Duena, then shift back to panic. He’s being held for murder, and now, Delores has also accused him of rape.