In Cold Blood | The Last to See Them Alive (Part 6) | Summary

Summary

News of the murders spreads fast throughout Holcomb, as well as to the insurance agent who sold Herb Clutter the double-indemnity life insurance policy and to the relatives of the Clutters, especially to the two older daughters, Eveanna Jarchow and Beverly Clutter. "Mother" Truitt is horrified and scared by the news, while her no-nonsense, unsentimental daughter, Myrt Clare, decides anyone in town can be a suspect and "when your time comes, it comes." Susan Kidwell wants to find and tell Bobby Rupp, but he already knows because Mr. Ewalt stops by the Rupp farm on his way home. Bobby runs to the Clutter house where he sees the barricade and four ambulances leaving. Meanwhile in Olathe, Kansas, Perry Smith is fast asleep in a hotel room while Dick Hickock is a few miles north at the modest farmhouse where his parents and younger brother live. Dick gorges himself on Sunday dinner, sits down to watch a televised basketball game with this father and brother, and promptly and uncharacteristically falls asleep.

Analysis

The emotional fallout from the murders begins in this part. After watching the four ambulances leave the Clutter home, Bobby Rupp walks toward Susan Kidwell, sees her, and breaks down and weeps. But Myrt Clare's statement that anyone can be the killer foreshadows Bobby learning that he is the police's principal suspect. Although he is quickly cleared, mistrust spreads quickly through Holcomb. The actions of Perry Smith and, particularly, Dick Hickock will eventually implicate them in the crime. Driving over 800 miles within a 24-hour period to rob and kill four people leaves both men exhausted. Dick falls asleep in front of a televised basketball game, shocking his father who will later mention his son's odd behavior to the investigators on the Clutter case.