Ballard's Badge

A police badge is a symbol of authority. At the end of the novel, the police chief offers Ballard her badge back, which is a symbol of his belief that she is an important part of the department. Also, the badge represents the change he hopes to see in the future.

The Murder Books

The murder books represent the investigations into murders. The fact that the police department has dedicated an entire building to housing the murder books is a symbol of the huge number of cases that have been investigated, including many that remain unsolved.

The Streetlights

There are several levels of symbolism associated with the streetlights in this novel. The rapists cut the power to lights outside the homes of their victims which is a symbol of their methodical planning and their desire to stay hidden as they attack. The streetlights in general...