Chapters Seventeen - Nineteen Summary

At the Athletic Club, Marlowe is escorted to the library where some members are taking a nap. He meets with Kingsley in a corner. Kingsley is upset about the last minute meeting. Marlowe tells Kingsley he believes Crystal shot Lavery. After Marlowe gives Kingsley the necessary information about Lavery's death, he asks Kingsley if Crystal owned a gun. Kingsley replies that she did, she had a small handgun. Marlowe pulls out the gun, lays it on Kingsley's lap, and asks him if he recognizes it. Kingsley is not sure if the gun is Crystal's or not but believes Lavery must have dumped her, resulting in Crystal murdering him. Although Kingsley offers Marlowe five hundred dollars to keep the gun and try to cover up the murder, Marlowe convinces Kingsley that even without the gun the police will...