Study Guide

Alex Cross's Trial Chapter 20

By James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Chapter 20

Henley McNeill, a fellow passenger on the train, introduces himself to Ben. He's a grain trader, and grew up on the Mississippi.
When he asks Ben what he's doing with so many newspapers, Ben tells him the truth: he's researching lynching.
Henley shares his two-cents on the topic.
First of all, the newspapers don't always tell the truth, so watch out; and secondly, Henley doesn't think that white people hate Black people. Instead, he thinks they're afraid of Black people.
Why? Black people are stealing jobs and opportunities from white people, and it's tougher now to make a living. Or so Henley's reasoning goes.
He thinks Black people just have to figure out a way to be peaceful and understand this fact—and if not, Henley suggests they just get rid of Black people. Yikes.