Chapter 27 Summary
Chapter 27 marks the beginning of part three of Redemption Road titled “Peace is a Reward.” It is a late Sunday afternoon, and Bendu, Siatta, and Terrance, are relaxing together for the first time since Bendu moved into the Mamba Point apartment. The setting is serene, with the cook preparing a meal, and Ella Fitzgerald’s jazzy tunes playing in the background.
The three enjoy a substantial Sunday brunch. Bendu mentions that she won’t eat too much because she has dinner plans with Calvin later, but the food proves too irresistible. After the meal, Bendu is full and reclines to daydream while waiting for her evening date with Calvin. She has been spending a lot of time with Calvin recently working together on Calvin’s World Journal second article on the peace education center’s work on HIV and AIDS with Tenneh’s story as “a young woman who became HIV-positive when she was a victim of war-time sexual assault” (p. 172) being the highlight of the article. Calvin’s first article had been on PIP’s activities.
They are both going to Beirut Restaurant. Siatta playfully asks Bendu about her plans for the evening, hinting at whether she might spend the night with Calvin. Bendu responds lightheartedly by throwing a slipper at Siatta.
Bendu becomes distracted by a pile of newspapers in the arms of Sarah, the housekeeper, who is going to throw them away. She is curious as to what is in the newspapers. Terrance tries to dissuade her from wasting her time on them because they are old. He offers her BBC Focus on Africa magazine instead, but Bendu insists on reading the “old” newspapers. She sees in the gruesome image of a bloated dead body in the first newspaper she picks, and she immediately tosses it aside in disgust. In another newspaper, she finds a shocking article about the death of Moses P.N. Varney, a 54-year-old political activist, who was killed by a bullet in the head and whose body was dumped in the St. John River.
Terrance tries to dismiss Varney’s death as suicide, but Bendu is not buying into any of that. She challenges Terrance on why he did not inform her of Varney’s death, but Terrance denies reading “that junk” (p. 174). By her calculation of when Varney’s body was found and when it was identified, it is less than a week, which means the newspapers are not as old as Terrance has made them to look initially. She wonders why the police have not informed her or her attorney of his death until now.
They all speculate about the circumstances surrounding the death of Varney. While Terrance wants Bendu to let go of the issue, Bendu finds it strange that the police haven’t call them yet, and she is resolute to “get to the bottom of this” (p. 175). This differing positions somehow brings about a rift between the two. Terrance walks out on them and goes for a drive. Bendu wonders what would have happened if she hadn’t checked the newspapers, but Siatta explains it away with the notion that the media uproar about the 9/11 attacks in America overshadowed the news of Varney’s death, which is why no one else they know has seen the news either.
As Bendu prepares for Calvin’s arrival, she decides to tell Calvin about the news. Terrance returns from his drive with a smile and some ice cream as a peace offering. They hear the doorbell ring and, thinking it is Calvin, Bendu decides to answer the door but finds two police officers instead. Bendu is shocked to learn she’s being arrested. Just then, Calvin comes around and Bendu motions for the receptionist to let him in. He demands what is happening and Bendu explains to him. When asked, the older officer tells Calvin that they are arresting Bendu for the murder of Moses Varney.
Chapter 28 Summary
Bendu is angry when a police officer pulls out handcuffs and grabs her wrist. Calvin protests and tries to intervene by ordering the receptionist to call Mr. Clarke for help. The receptionist in turn instructs one of the building security guards alert Mr. Clarke. Bendu is still resisting arrest when Siatta and Terrance come downstairs after being alerted of what is going on.
Terrance speaks to the arresting officer who debriefs him about the details of her arrest. He asks for the arrest warrant and confirms its validity. He further asks the officer where they are taking her to. Siatta is surprised that her husband is not pulling any strings to prevent the arrest of her sister. She can’t seem to admit that her husband suddenly becomes “Mr. Play-By-The-Rules” (p. 180) when it comes to Bendu’s arrest. Terrance claims defensively that he can’t stop the arrest. Even when she suggests he calls his friend, Kesselly who is the Chief of Police, he refuses and says he hasn’t been in touch with the Chief for some time. Terrance’s reaction to Bendu’s arrest just goes to show that there is the remotest chance that he knows about it and wants to get back at Bendu for their earlier argument.
Calvin and Siatta then follow Bendu to the National Police Headquarters, where she is being taken to. Bendu refuses to ride in the police car and opts for Calvin’s SUV. She decides to call Counselor Gray on her cell phone on their way, so that he can meet them there.
At the police station, Counselor Reeves comes to her rescue in the company of Counselor Gray. He challenges the arrest and says that there is no evidence whatsoever to substantiate the position that Varney was murdered or that Bendu is the one that killed him. The director of police, Chief Edwin Kesselly, intervenes and clarifies that Bendu is not being arrested but has only been brought to answer some questions. He assures them that she’ll be released after questioning.
It is almost dawn when Lieutenant Tarpeh, who is meant to interrogate Bendu, shows up, and by then, Bendu has spent the night in police custody. Tarpeh insists on interrogating Bendu alone and she follows him to his office for questioning. Bendu is the first to question Tarpeh on why he did not inform her “when Varney was found” (p. 183) but Tarpeh parries her question and insists that he is the interrogator and not her.
He questions her on when last she made contact with Moses Varney, and he tries to elicit from a motive for murdering Varney. Bendu asserts her innocence and provides her whereabouts during the weekend of the incident. Tarpeh requests evidence to support Bendu’s alibi, and he insists on detaining her until the investigation is complete. Bendu becomes emotional as she realizes she will be held in custody. Tarpeh, it appears, is enjoying Bendu’s emotional breakdown, as evident in his sadistic question, “Who’s laughing now, Miss Lewis?” (p. 185).
Chapter 29 Summary
In chapter 29 of Redemption Road,Bendu is being led upstairs by Lieutenant Tarpeh, with an armed guard following. She angrily questions him on why men like Varney can walk freely, while she is being punished for something she didn’t do.
As they walk, Bendu reflects on the absurdity of her situation. She thinks about a joke commonly told to Liberians in diaspora about the security system in the country, summed up as “ADT” (Any Damn Thing can happen), which makes her chuckle.
Upon reaching the lobby, Bendu sees Calvin and Siatta waiting for her. They embrace her. Tarpeh, observing the reunion, unexpectedly announces he will release Bendu “on her own recognizance” (p. 187). He promises to touch keep in touch with them.
Once outside of the building, Bendu finally breaks down. She cries as Calvin comforts her. However, her frustration soon overtakes the sadness, and she regains her composure. On the ride back to Mamba Point, there is little conversation. Bendu uses the quiet time to reflect on everything that has happened.
Bendu expresses her intention to move back to her own place, but Siatta advises her to stay. Calvin agrees with Siatta, but Bendu insists on returning home. Calvin and Bendu kiss goodbye, as Calvin waits for Siatta and Bendu to enter the apartment building.
Upon opening the apartment door, Terrance’s phone rings. Siatta calls for him but since she gets no answer, she checks the phone and browses through her husband’s call log for his last ten calls. She reacts with concern. Even though Siatta doesn’t explain her reaction to Bendu, it is obvious that it is not unconnected with Terrance’s earlier claim that he hasn’t spoken with the Chief of Police recently, which his call log now disproves. As for Bendu, she is convinced more than ever that she needs to go back home, at least to give Siatta space for discussion with Terrance.
Chapter 30 Summary
Bendu returns to her home alone, where she is assured by her remorseful security guards that they are now “on special alert” for intruders. Inside, she notices changes in the house. She finds the vase of dead flowers and notices the removal of the palaver hut from the courtyard where she and Calvin had had a romantic evening.
After walking inside, she double-checks all the windows and doors, making sure everything is securely locked. She enters the second bedroom, and she imagines how she might decorate it for her daughter, Baby Girl. Her thoughts are filled with questions about her daughter’s likes: her favorite color and music for example. The uncertainty of whether Baby Girl is even alive weighs heavily on her.
She is even more concerned that Baby Girl, if alive, might not want to forgive her for abandoning her. Bendu’s fears surface as she worries about the murder accusations against her becoming public, which could potentially halt her efforts to find Baby Girl. She fears that her past will impact the child’s future and the reunification process.
Bendu calls Agnes to inform her that she won’t be coming into work. Agnes excitedly tells her about the success of their article on Tenneh, which has drawn significant attention from newspapers, health officials and donor organizations. Bendu expresses surprise and gratitude for the attention. She discusses Tenneh’s well-being and the need for community awareness about the non-transmission of HIV, through casual contact for instance. This awareness programme will do well to reduce the stigma Tenneh is facing in her community.
After Bendu hung up the call, she experiences mixed emotions. She is happy about the success of the article and sad about Varney’s murder. She regrets not forgiving him before his death. She worries about her abandoned daughter whom she might never know, and Siatta’s marital problems. She cries on her bed, overwhelmed by these thoughts and emotions.
The chapter ends with Bendu finding solace in small tasks and memories. Bendu tidies up her living room and kitchen, ensuring everything is in order. She reflects on her relationship with Calvin and his support. Bendu reminisces about her deceased fiancé, Jonah, and their engagement photo. She gathers more photos and stores them in a shoebox. Bendu cleans the bathroom, disposing of a dead roach. She fills a bucket with water and adjusts the bathroom mirror. Bendu looks at herself in the mirror and smiles.
Chapter 31 to 34 Summaries
Chapter 31, 32, 33, and 34 summaries of Redemption Road can be found in our study guide. You can proceed to our store to buy Study Guide: Redemption Road by Elma Shaw.
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Other Chapters:
- Chapter 1 to 5 Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Chapter 6 to 10 Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Chapter 11 to 15 Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Chapter 16 to 18 Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Chapter 19 to 26 Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
Further Reading:
- Characters in Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Plot Summary of Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
- Themes in Elma Shaw’s Redemption Road
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