When Will There Be Good News?: Outlaw Summary & Analysis

Louise wonders what they’re all doing up at such an unearthly hour. Even after operating through the night, chipper Patrick has made fancy French toast for Bridget and Tim. Louise is in a “mutinous” mood and criticizes the expensive imported raspberries. Patrick, she thinks, got to spend the night in a sterile operating theatre, while she spent the night in the rain, finding severed limbs and comforting victims on the scene. Patrick is taking the guests sightseeing, but Louise can’t bear it and she returns to work.

Louise drives to the Hunters’ today to see Neil instead of Joanna. She thinks of Jackson Brodie saying, “A coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen,” but she can’t see any connection between Neil Hunter’s brushes with the law and Andrew Decker’s release from prison. The Hunters’ house is quiet; only Neil is there. He seems unsurprised about the alleged arson, and he tells her about Joanna’s sudden trip to see her sick aunt, whom he identifies as Agnes Barker. Louise thinks that Joanna has “a very handy aunt.”

Louise questions Neil about any enemies he might have and tells him there will be a warrant for his documentation. When Neil leaves the room for a phone call, Louise studies Joanna Hunter’s notice board. It’s covered with pictures of her life, seeming to broadcast the message that she’s “no longer a victim.” Louise notices that one of Joanna’s activities in university had been the Rifle Club. She muses, “[Joanna] could run, she could shoot. She was all ready for next time.” Neil comes back looking rattled and asks if Louise would like a dram of whiskey.