A Family’s Two Emergencies

The Ax

The novel places Burke’s secret murders beside the visible crises of Marjorie’s distress and Billy’s arrest, showing how danger enters the household through different doors.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Marjorie’s Worry Marjorie’s Worry from "The Ax". Marjorie’s Worry A Strain She Can Name Marjorie sees that Burke is distant, secretive, and increasingly preoccupied.

Marjorie’s Worry from "The Ax". Marjorie’s Worry A Strain She Can Name Marjorie sees that Burke is distant, secretive, and increasingly preoccupied.

Marjorie’s Worry A Strain She Can Name Marjorie sees that Burke is distant, secretive, and increasingly preoccupied. She knows the family faces serious financial trouble even though he does not tell her everything. A Threat to the Marriage She asks for counseling because their relationship is deteriorating. Her distress is visible, but its full cause remains obscured by Burke’s private campaign.

Burke’s Hidden Project Burke’s Hidden Project from "The Ax". Burke’s Hidden Project An Office Closed Off Burke stores résumés, notes, and plans in his office, keeping the work secret from Marjorie.

Burke’s Hidden Project from "The Ax". Burke’s Hidden Project An Office Closed Off Burke stores résumés, notes, and plans in his office, keeping the work secret from Marjorie.

Burke’s Hidden Project An Office Closed Off Burke stores résumés, notes, and plans in his office, keeping the work secret from Marjorie. He explains his trips as interviews or research. Two Crises at Once The mystery that troubles Marjorie is not an affair but a murder campaign. The dramatic irony separates what each spouse fears from what is actually happening.

Billy’s Arrest Billy’s Arrest from "The Ax". Billy’s Arrest A Second Household Shock Billy’s arrest brings police directly into the Devore family’s life.

Billy’s Arrest from "The Ax". Billy’s Arrest A Second Household Shock Billy’s arrest brings police directly into the Devore family’s life.

Billy’s Arrest A Second Household Shock Billy’s arrest brings police directly into the Devore family’s life. Marjorie and Burke must respond immediately, setting aside the marital conversation to protect their son. A New Kind of Exposure Burke fears the police not only as a father but as a murderer who knows that investigation can reach the home. The visible crisis of Billy’s case overlays the concealed danger of Burke’s own crimes.

The Search at Home The Search at Home from "The Ax". The Search at Home Police Enter the House After Billy is released, police search the family home for stolen software.

The Search at Home from "The Ax". The Search at Home Police Enter the House After Billy is released, police search the family home for stolen software.

The Search at Home Police Enter the House After Billy is released, police search the family home for stolen software. Burke sits with Marjorie and waits, having removed evidence and hidden the Luger. A Calm Surface The officers find nothing incriminating and leave. The family has survived the immediate search, but Burke’s concealment now extends across both his son’s case and his own violence.

Two Futures at the Threshold Two Futures at the Threshold from "The Ax". Two Futures at the Threshold A Job Interview Approaches Burke prepares to leave for Arcadia, and Marjorie believes a better future is beginning.

Two Futures at the Threshold from "The Ax". Two Futures at the Threshold A Job Interview Approaches Burke prepares to leave for Arcadia, and Marjorie believes a better future is beginning.

Two Futures at the Threshold A Job Interview Approaches Burke prepares to leave for Arcadia, and Marjorie believes a better future is beginning. Their family has recently weathered Billy’s legal crisis and begun repairing the marriage. Burton Interrupts The detective’s arrival brings Burke’s hidden crisis into the family’s living room. The same home that sheltered their recovery now becomes the setting for the unresolved danger of his crimes.

Spring 1997

February–May 1997

Late May 1997

The Sunday after the arrest

July 3, 1997