Question K

[Jonetta]

Rachel accuses Harry of having responsibility for Abel Pratt getting murdered by Anthony Garland who was unknowingly armed. Do you agree with her? Why or why not?

[Lauren]

While Harry might not have been consciously aware of the idea that Garland was armed and might kill Pratt, I do think that the knowledge was in his subconscious mind.

The fact is that Harry realized before the others what Garland would do and tried to stop it. In that sense, I don't agree with Rachel that his actions weren't in line with being a true detective.

[Jonetta]

I like how you've outlined the situation. Rachel went too far in implying Harry was partly responsible for his death. That showed she didn't completely know him as he'd never would have hoped for this outcome. But, as you say, he knew on some level, consciously or subconsciously, Garland might be armed.

[Robin]

I think he knew on some level that Garland would be armed. He had a lot of history with him and knew he had a habit of carrying. He also knew he had a permit for the gun.

I don't know if he consciously knew that Garland would go try to kill Pratt, but he really didn't deny it when Rachel made the accusation. I think we needed his POV to sort this one out.

[Jonetta]

I think we need his point of view, too, Robin. It's one of the few times in this series where I really needed to know.

[Lauren]

Looking back on the series, there have been a couple of times where Harry has skirted the line. Like in book #2 when he killed Cal albeit in self-defense (although the setup led to the inevitable), using Pounds name and getting him killed in book #4, and perhaps even setting Chastain up to get killed by the mob in book #5.

Harry has had some morally questionable moments.

[Jonetta]

Great recall, Lauren! Maybe I need to stop giving him the benefit of the doubt:)

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "Great recall, Lauren! Maybe I need to stop giving him the benefit of the doubt:)"

Lol! I still give him the benefit of the doubt and still think that he is a basically good person seeking justice for others.

[Jonetta]

You know I said that tongue in cheek:) Still wild about Harry.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "You know I said that tongue in cheek:) Still wild about Harry."

Absolutely!