The City & the City: Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

Yolanda tries to stop Borlú from leaving, claiming this will draw attention to her hiding place. He tells her to remain calm and says that he is going to get her out to Besźel, where he is better able to navigate the system. He tells Aikam to quit his job at Bol Ye’an and stay looking after Yolanda. The apartment is in a bad state, but there is enough tinned food for a few more days. He promises to come back and get Yolanda out. Walking away, Borlú sees an abundance of angry messages from Dhatt. Calling him, Borlú says that something’s happened that he can’t explain. He asks Dhatt to meet him at the city’s main station in two hours, and to come alone.

When Dhatt finds Borlú, Borlú explains that he’s found Yolanda. Borlú reiterates that they don’t know what’s going on, and he says he wants to get Yolanda out of the country. He admits he plans to do this by getting her into Besźel first. Dhatt shakes his head and notes that Jaris is still missing. He then says that when they searched Bowden’s flat, there was no sign of forced entry, and nothing was missing. They found a letter with a single word written in ancient script, which Professor Nancy told them was a “warning”—like drawing a “skull-and-crossbones.” Borlú mentions that Yolanda believes that Breach is Orciny. While he might not think this is true, he cannot say it isn’t with total confidence.

Borlú asks if Dhatt can get Yolanda an exit visa by pretending she is a police officer. Exasperated, Dhatt takes them to an underground bar, where he starts making arrangements to get Yolanda exit documents. Meanwhile, Borlú calls Corwi and tells her that he and Dhatt are coming back to Besźel, along with another officer who’s “undercover.” He asks Corwi to discreetly meet them at Copula Hall. Corwi reluctantly agrees, and adds that someone has been calling and asking questions about the case. She says he sounds frightened, and is speaking with an American-sounding accent. Borlú concludes it must be Bowden, and tells Corwi to tell him that he will help him escape, but he only has one chance. He then gives Corwi Yallya’s phone number to call.