The Blackmail Trail

The Big Sleep

The blackmail scheme shifts from Geiger’s legal-looking demand to photographs, a stolen racket, and the attempt to shield the Sternwood family.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Three Notes The Three Notes from "The Big Sleep". The Three Notes A formal demand General Guy Sternwood shows Philip Marlowe promissory notes signed by Carmen Sternwood.

The Three Notes from "The Big Sleep". The Three Notes A formal demand General Guy Sternwood shows Philip Marlowe promissory notes signed by Carmen Sternwood.

The Three Notes A formal demand General Guy Sternwood shows Philip Marlowe promissory notes signed by Carmen Sternwood. Arthur Gwynn Geiger presents them as gambling debts but admits they are legally uncollectible. A calculated test Marlowe suspects that the notes are bait for a larger disclosure. He sees payment as easier than allowing an unknown blackmailer to set the terms.

The Nude Photograph The Nude Photograph from "The Big Sleep". The Nude Photograph A renewed threat Vivian Regan brings Philip Marlowe a photograph of Carmen Sternwood taken at Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s house.

The Nude Photograph from "The Big Sleep". The Nude Photograph A renewed threat Vivian Regan brings Philip Marlowe a photograph of Carmen Sternwood taken at Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s house.

The Nude Photograph A renewed threat Vivian Regan brings Philip Marlowe a photograph of Carmen Sternwood taken at Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s house. The sender demands five thousand dollars. A second danger The caller warns of a police scandal as well as publication. Marlowe realizes the photograph may connect the blackmail to a crime at the scene.

Brody Takes the Books Brody Takes the Books from "The Big Sleep". Brody Takes the Books A takeover attempt Philip Marlowe sees Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s illicit book stock moved to Joe Brody’s apartment.

Brody Takes the Books from "The Big Sleep". Brody Takes the Books A takeover attempt Philip Marlowe sees Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s illicit book stock moved to Joe Brody’s apartment.

Brody Takes the Books A takeover attempt Philip Marlowe sees Arthur Gwynn Geiger’s illicit book stock moved to Joe Brody’s apartment. Brody appears positioned to inherit the business. A broader racket Marlowe understands that the books and coded customer list could support extensive rentals and blackmail. The business gives several people a motive to exploit Geiger’s death.

Photographs Recovered Photographs Recovered from "The Big Sleep". Photographs Recovered A confrontation Philip Marlowe confronts Joe Brody with the evidence linking him to the photographs and the moved books.

Photographs Recovered from "The Big Sleep". Photographs Recovered A confrontation Philip Marlowe confronts Joe Brody with the evidence linking him to the photographs and the moved books.

Photographs Recovered A confrontation Philip Marlowe confronts Joe Brody with the evidence linking him to the photographs and the moved books. Brody first bargains, then yields the negatives and prints. A partial safeguard Marlowe keeps the images rather than returning them to Carmen. Recovering them reduces the immediate threat but does not explain who controls the original racket.

The Scandal Contained The Scandal Contained from "The Big Sleep". The Scandal Contained A negotiation with authority Philip Marlowe presents evidence to Taggart Wilde and Captain Cronjager while keeping private details back.

The Scandal Contained from "The Big Sleep". The Scandal Contained A negotiation with authority Philip Marlowe presents evidence to Taggart Wilde and Captain Cronjager while keeping private details back.

The Scandal Contained A negotiation with authority Philip Marlowe presents evidence to Taggart Wilde and Captain Cronjager while keeping private details back. He threatens to expose the tolerated illicit bookstore if the police publicize the family scandal. A managed account The authorities accept a narrower public story. The arrangement protects the Sternwoods but also limits what the official account can reveal.

the first morning

the morning after the shooting

the second afternoon

the second evening

the night of the police conference