One of Us Is Next

Knox is working when Bethany Okonjo, one of the paralegals, shows him a picture of Sergeant Carl D’Agostino used in the news report on his crimes. The picture showcases his commendation of San Diego University students for being peer mentors. Knox finds it odd that they portray him as a great guy who just “stumbled into framing seventeen people” (114). Knox finishes at work and sees that he has a missed call from Maeve.

Knox realizes that Maeve’s secret must have been revealed, so he immediately calls her back. Much to Knox’s surprise, Maeve begins crying and apologizing profusely. Knox finds out that the secret revealed exposes him for “not being able to get it up” with Maeve Rojas (116). Knox thinks, “My heart’s pounding out of my chest. No. No way. The entire school did not just read about the most humiliating moments of my life. Which was private. And supposed to stay that way forever” (117). He recalls that he and Maeve felt like losing their virginity was something they had to do before graduating high school and so they rushed into things. He found comfort in Maeve’s understanding that it was too fast because it meant he could pretend it never happened.