The Conflict Between Kate and the Law

Kate's ongoing conflict with the authorities, from her escape from justice to her final standoff with Sheriff Quinn.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Escape from Justice

The First Crimes The Fire and Murder Cathy murders her parents and fakes her own death. She escapes to Boston. She has successfully evaded the law. The Suspicion There is suspicion, but no proof. Cathy is clever. She leaves no trace. The law is powerless against her. The Pattern Cathy learns that she can get away with anything. This gives her a sense of invincibility. She will continue to break the law.

The Poisoning of Faye

The Perfect Crime The Slow Poison Kate poisons Faye with croton oil. She makes it look like a natural illness. No one suspects her. The Will Faye's will leaves everything to Kate. The inheritance is legal. Kate has gotten away with murder. The Lingering Doubt Some people, like Sheriff Quinn, have their suspicions. But there is no evidence. Kate is untouchable.

The Blackmail and the Standoff

The Untouchable Madam The Photographs Kate collects compromising photographs of prominent men. She uses them to blackmail them. She is protected by their fear. The Standoff with the Law The sheriff and the police know about Kate's activities. But they cannot touch her. She has too much power. The Unwritten Truce A tacit agreement exists. Kate stays within certain bounds, and the law looks the other way. She is a necessary evil.

The Ethel Threat

The Loose Thread The Old Whore Ethel, a former employee, remembers the night of Faye's death. She tries to blackmail Kate. She has the broken glass from the poison bottles. Kate's Response Kate pays Ethel off, but then has her arrested and run out of town. This is a mistake. It draws attention. The Fear of Discovery Kate is haunted by the possibility that Ethel might talk. The threat is never fully neutralized. The law might still find out.

The Visit of Her Sons

The Personal Reckoning The First Visit Cal visits Kate. He is curious and defiant. He tells her he is not like her. He is his own person. The Second Visit Cal brings Aron. Aron is horrified. He screams at Kate. This is a personal confrontation that shakes Kate. The Aftermath Kate is shaken by the encounter. She is forced to see the consequences of her actions. Her sons are not her instruments. They are individuals.

The Suicide and the End

The Final Escape The Decision Kate chooses to die. She takes a poison capsule. She is not afraid of the law; she is afraid of living. The Aftermath Joe Valery tries to loot her belongings, but he is killed. The photographs are burned. The law cannot touch her anymore. The Unresolved Crimes Kate's crimes are never fully punished. She escapes justice through death. But she also escapes the fear that has haunted her. The conflict with the law is over.

Cathy's crimes in Massachusetts, 1870s-1880s

Kate murders Faye, 1900-1901

Kate's use of blackmail, 1901-1918

Ethel's attempted blackmail, 1917

Cal and Aron confront Kate, spring 1918

Kate's death, spring 1918