Chapters 23-26 Summary

In Chapter 23 Marlowe keeps his appointment with Lt. Breeze at the police station, although he is a few hours late. Breeze and Spangler are smug. Breeze tells Marlowe that Hench has confessed to killing Phillips. Marlowe is skeptical.

Breeze explains that Hench was excitable when he was taken in and was put under sedation. He told the police he wanted to talk to Palermo, and Palermo was brought to see him. After speaking with Hench privately, Palermo came out of the room and told the police Hench wanted to confess to the killing and that he felt sorry for Hench and would pay for him to have a lawyer. Hench made a full confession, claiming he was angry at Phillips after he made a pass at his girlfriend. The case is closed as far as Breeze is concerned, so he tells...