In the Heat of the Night

Bill tells Sam to inform Enrico’s daughter Duena of her father’s death. She’s staying with the Endicotts, a well-to-do family. Before Sam leaves, he recommends they offer Virgil food. Although he’s a Black man, Virgil is still a cop, and they should make sure he speaks highly of their department. Bill reluctantly agrees. Sam also thanks Virgil for not filing a false arrest report. For a second, Sam worries that Virgil will try to shake his hand: “Sam was ashamed of the fact that if Tibbs had held out his hand, he would have had to look away. What with Pete there and all that. But Tibbs had saved him the embarrassment, and for that he was grateful” (28).

Bill summons Harvey, the suspect, into his office. The police chief questions the man harshly while Virgil observes. Harvey claims he found Enrico already dead. He took the wallet because he needed the money. Bill doesn’t believe him and demands he be booked for suspicion of murder. Harvey is taken away, and Virgil’s food arrives. Virgil doesn’t believe Harvey is the murderer. Based on Virgil’s examination of the body, someone right-handed killed Enrico. Harvey, Virgil noticed, is left-handed. Harvey is also wearing steel-plated shoes—he’d make too much noise to sneak up on Enrico.