The Razor’s Edge: Part 7, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

At the police station in Toulon, Somerset is taken to the chief inspector’s office. The inspector has a copy of one of Somerset’s books that Somerset signed and gave to Sophie. The inspector shows Somerset a photo and asks if he knows the person. Somerset recognizes Larry immediately. At first, Somerset doesn’t want to answer because he doesn’t want Larry brought into the situation, but he thinks better of it and tells the inspector that the name of the man in the photo is Laurence Darrell. When the inspector asks, Somerset says Larry is living in Sanary. Somerset thinks Larry will be able to quickly prove he had nothing to do with Sophie’s death. Because there is no one else to do so, Somerset also arranges and pays for Sophie’s funeral preparations.

When Somerset goes to the police station the next day, he finds Larry there. The inspector says that Larry has been cleared of any suspicion, and Larry and Somerset then go to breakfast. Larry says he has given up his income and that he plans to return to the U.S. He says he's also finished his book, and Somerset should receive a copy soon. Larry also adds that Sophie is the only woman he could have seen himself marrying. He says she “had a lovely soul.” Somerset notices that Larry doesn’t mention Isabel.