In His Wake Summary by Chapter | Chad Zunker
Introduction To In His Wake (Chapter-by-Chapter Summary)
In this tightly constructed legal thriller, Chad Zunker blends political assassination, corporate corruption, and family fracture into a fast-moving narrative that never lingers for long.
The novel opens with a vanished father, a presidential candidate shot by a world-class sniper, and three brothers pulled into a storm none of them saw coming.
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Book Structure Overview
Total Chapters: 64
Parts: No formal parts; continuous linear progression
Prologue/Epilogue: No separate prologue; Chapter 64 functions as an aftermath
Narrative Style: Linear timeline with multiple POVs (Dean, Eric, April, Demir, Jerry)
Flow: Political assassination investigation intertwined with a family conspiracy
Book Table of Contents
Chapters 1–64 (Numbered sequentially)
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In His Wake Summary Chapter by Chapter
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section contains detailed, chapter-by-chapter plot summaries.
Chapter 1: The Man Called Red
CIA veteran Bryson Carter and his team track a man named “Red” in Costa Rica. The man, who has lost weight and altered his face through surgery, is identified with 92 percent certainty as Jerry Dawson.
He lives on a sailboat, pays in cash, and avoids all technology. The team prepares to kidnap him to find where he hid millions of scammed dollars.
As they move in, they whisper his real name to confirm his identity when he flinches.
Chapter 2: The Caracal’s Shot
Yusuf Demir, an elite Turkish assassin known as the “Caracal,” infiltrates the Frost Bank Tower in Austin disguised as a UPS driver.
He meticulously assembles a sniper rifle on the rooftop and targets Senator Carson, who is arriving at the Four Seasons Hotel 812 meters away.
Despite heavy Secret Service and FBI security, Demir waits for a precise split-second window. He fires a perfect $40 million kill shot, recording the senator’s head exploding for his client.
Chapter 3: Brothers at the Scene
Reporter Dean Dawson hears the news of Carson’s assassination while working at TexasNow. He rushes to the crime scene, which is only blocks away from his office, and meets his brother Eric, the FBI Special Agent in charge.
Eric reveals that a sniper shot killed the senator and wounded an agent named Nelson. Dean receives a desperate text from his ex-girlfriend April North, stating she must see him immediately.
Chapter 4: The Text Message
Dean meets April at their usual spot, the Driskill Bar, where she shows him a photo of a text exchange from her boss Edward Sullivan’s phone.
The texts, involving a mystery person named “Rainer,” state that “Dawson still hasn’t broken” and that “Carson should no longer be a problem.”
April believes her boss is involved in the assassination and fears she was seen taking the photo. They discuss Dean’s father, Jerry, who supposedly died in a boating accident four months ago.
Chapter 5: Ben’s Miracle
The youngest brother, Ben Dawson, a third-year law student, learns of the assassination from his roommate. Ben is still angry with Dean for skipping their father’s funeral.
While checking his financial aid, Ben is shocked to find his $110,000 student loan balance has been paid in full. He assumes it is a mistake and plans to call the registrar in the morning.
Chapter 6: The FBI Takes Over
Eric Dawson manages the FBI’s chaotic investigation into the sniper kill. He learns about a suspicious UPS delivery at the Frost Bank Tower that matches the suspected shooter’s location.
Eric suspects the shooter had inside information because the target window was minuscule. He reflects on his late father, who had been a partner at a firm located in that same building.
Chapter 7: Demir Watches
Yusuf Demir watches the fallout of his kill at an Austin Irish pub, now disguised with a long black wig. His contract requires him to stay in the city for 48 hours to ensure there are no “loose ends.”
He enjoys the chaos and the cat-and-mouse game with the various police agencies. Demir has already turned over his scope footage to his employers.
Chapter 8: The Interrogation
Bryson Carter’s team continues to interrogate Jerry Dawson in a remote Austin warehouse after bringing him back from Costa Rica.
Jerry proves incredibly resilient, willing to endure torture to protect a secret. Carter’s team believes Jerry is protecting someone he loves. They begin a second, deeper investigation into every relationship in Jerry’s life, including his three sons.
Chapter 9: April’s Discovery
April returns to her office before sunrise to search Edward Sullivan’s computer. Using a password she learned months earlier, she finds a new message from “Rainer” scheduling a meeting at the JW Marriott bar at 1 p.m.
She is nearly caught by Sullivan’s formidable assistant, Bertha, but manages to bluff her way out. April now has a lead on the identity of Sullivan’s co-conspirator.
Chapter 10: The Editor’s Take
Dean meets his editor, Harvey, and shows him the Sullivan/Rainer text exchange. Harvey agrees the story is massive and suggests they should eventually go to the feds.
They discuss the “Dawson” mentioned in the text, and Harvey raises the possibility that Dean’s father faked his death or was forced to stage it. Dean struggles to believe his father would be that cruel.
Chapter 11: The Cartel Video
Eric takes his sons to school despite his ongoing separation from his wife, Tina. Agent Brewster calls him with a major development: the Zeta Cartel has released a video claiming responsibility for Carson’s death.
Eric watches the graphic footage, which appears to be taken through the sniper’s scope. He is skeptical because the cartels rarely hire elite professionals for hits.
Chapter 12: The Detective’s Doubts
Dean meets with Detective Goodson, who investigated his father’s “drowning” at Lake Travis. Goodson mentions that an “insurance adjuster” asked about the case recently, which strikes Dean as odd since the insurance company later denies sending anyone.
Goodson admits that while blood was found, no body was ever recovered. Dean begins to seriously doubt his father’s death.
Chapter 13: The Tail
April spends a tense morning at work avoiding Sullivan. She texts Dean the information about Sullivan’s meeting with Rainer.
While walking to get a sandwich, she notices a man in a black windbreaker following her. She becomes increasingly paranoid and realizes she is being actively surveilled.
Chapter 14: The Mysterious Woman
At the bar where he works, Ben is approached by a mysterious, wealthy-looking blond woman with bloodshot eyes. She asks when he last spoke to his father and seems distraught by the answer.
She tells him his father wanted to protect his sons and leaves a phone number with no name. Ben is left bewildered by the encounter.
Chapter 15: Staking Out Rainer
Dean stakes out the JW Marriott lobby and observes Sullivan meeting with a nerdy, pale man. Dean snaps photos and realizes the mystery man looks like a college professor.
He follows the man into an elevator and discovers he is staying in room 1217. Dean attempts to call the room but gets no answer.
Chapter 16: The Receipt
Dean watches the mystery man check out of the hotel. He tricks a maid into letting him into room 1217 and finds a dry-cleaning receipt.
The receipt identifies the man as Andrew Rainer from Washington, DC. A quick search reveals Rainer is the Chief of Staff for Florida Senator Ted Lambert.
Chapter 17: The Cartel Confession
Eric flies to Mexico City to interrogate Zeta Cartel lieutenant Geraldo Cruz. Cruz admits the cartel was paid $10 million to take credit for the assassination to strike fear into other politicians.
Eric receives Interpol photos of a man who flew to El Paso and rented a car in Austin just before the hit. The man is identified as the world-renowned assassin Yusuf Demir.
Chapter 18: Sally’s Fear
April visits Jerry’s former secretary, Sally Kimble, in Marble Falls. Sally is terrified and reveals a “federal investigator” threatened her recently.
She gives April access codes to a secret storage unit Jerry rented before his “death.” Sally mentions “Lease Sale 151” as the key to Jerry’s secrets.
Chapter 19: The Storage Unit
April searches Jerry’s storage unit and finds a thick file on “Lease Sale 151,” a government offshore oil auction. She discovers Edward Sullivan’s firm was working for Eastwood Petroleum but Jerry had kept his own secret files on the deal.
She finds that a tiny company, J. Walter Petroleum, won a valuable block of land for $8 million that Eastwood had planned to secure for much more.
Chapter 20: Ben’s Apartment
Ben returns home to find his apartment destroyed. He interrupts the intruder, a man in a gray sweatshirt, and chases him off. Ben is confused to find $300 in cash left untouched on a dresser. He realizes the intruder wasn’t looking for money, but for something else.
Chapter 21: The Mole
Eric learns that a young agent on his team, Lamar Barkley, made a $15,000 cash deposit just before the assassination. Barkley has vanished, and his car is still at his home.
Eric finds Barkley dead in the woods near his house, killed by a professional gunshot to the head. Eric realizes one of his own men leaked the senator’s vehicle location.
Chapter 22: Losing the Tail
April realizes she is being followed by two men. She goes to Nordstrom at a shopping mall and changes her outfit to evade them.
She successfully spots both men tracking her but manages to lose them by blending into the crowd in a new sweater and ball cap.
Chapter 23: Dressing Room Meeting
Dean and April meet in a mall dressing room. Dean gives her a burner phone and tells her about Andrew Rainer’s identity. April shows him the “Lease Sale 151” file and the J. Walter Petroleum lead. Dean urges April to flee, but she insists on staying to find the truth.
Chapter 24: Brothers on Edge
Dean meets Eric, who is devastated by his agent’s death and the leak. Dean realizes he cannot trust the FBI to protect April because of the internal compromise.
Eric tells Dean about the mysterious woman who visited Ben. Dean asks Ben to talk, but Ben is still ignoring his texts.
Chapter 25: The Puppet Master
Dean flies to Midland to confront Hank Starch, the head of J. Walter Petroleum. Starch admits an anonymous “puppet master” gave them the research and guaranteed the auction win.
He reveals a wealthy widow, Ida Jo Welsher, provided $4 million for the bid in exchange for $20 million over four years. Starch is terrified because a menacing man threatened his family recently.
Chapter 26: Trisha Identified
April visits Ben at his bar and sees security footage of the “mysterious woman.” April immediately recognizes her as Trisha Sullivan, her boss’s wife. April calls the number Trisha left for Ben and leaves an urgent message about Jerry Dawson.
Chapter 27: The Decoy
Eric tracks a potential lead on Yusuf Demir to a dingy motel in Mexico. FBI and Mexican agents burst into the room only to find a carpet salesman named Bill Gleason.
Gleason was used as a decoy to throw off the investigation, confirming Demir’s skill at deception.
Chapter 28: Trisha’s Disappearance
April goes to the Sullivan estate to find Trisha. The maid informs her that Trisha has gone to visit her sister in Washington, DC. April realizes she must go to DC to find the woman and learn the truth about Jerry.
Chapter 29: Sally’s Murder
Sally Kimble calls Dean, offering to reveal more information. They agree to meet at a pancake house in Austin. As Sally approaches Dean in the parking lot, she is killed by a perfect sniper shot to the head.
Dean flees the scene in a panic, knowing he was likely the second target.
Chapter 30: On the Run
Dean and April meet in a hotel room, both traumatized by Sally’s murder. They realize the conspirators are killing anyone with information. April refuses to go into witness protection and insists they fly to DC to find Trisha Sullivan.
Chapter 31: Eric Connects the Dots
Eric learns that Sally Kimble was killed with .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition, the same kind used on Senator Carson. He recognizes Sally’s name as his father’s former secretary.
Eric is horrified to find security footage showing Dean at the scene of Sally’s death.
Chapter 32: The Scorpion
Dean’s editor, Harvey, identifies “Scorpion” as Hossle Jester, a ruthless billionaire whose company, Eastwood Petroleum, was involved in a massive oil spill.
Jester is a major political donor and head of a Senate investigation into the spill. They suspect Jester is the mastermind behind the assassinations to protect his wealth.
Chapter 33: April Evades
April uses multiple taxis to evade surveillance and makes it to the airport. She flies to DC disguised in a Cowboys cap. She fears for her life but is determined to find Trisha.
Chapter 34: Dean Follows
Dean flies to DC and researches Jester’s history of corruption and his angry testimony before Senate committees. He stays at the Park Hyatt and feels the weight of the investigation.
Chapter 35: Eric’s Warning
Eric discovers Dean’s phone logs showing multiple calls to Sally Kimble just before her death. He realizes Dean is deep in a dangerous investigation and is ignoring his calls. Eric leaves an urgent, angry message for his brother.
Chapter 36: Lambert Found Dead
Dean and April reunite in their DC hotel room. They see news reports that Senator Ted Lambert has been found assassinated in his townhome. They realize the death toll is rising as the conspiracy implodes.
Chapter 37: The Prostitute’s Story
FBI Agent Elliott tells Eric that a prostitute witnessed Mark Edmonds (Carson’s staff) hiring her to entrap Senator Lambert. They suspect Carson was blackmailing Lambert, providing a potential motive for Lambert to retaliate.
Chapter 38: The Chase
Dean and April find the Sullivans’ DC townhome ransacked and empty. They are followed by a man in a gray Buick and narrowly evade him by jumping a fence at a mansion. They realize they need a more obscure place to hide.
Chapter 39: Lambert Confronted
The day before his death, Senator Lambert met with Eric. Eric confronted him about the blackmail scheme. Lambert threatened Eric’s job and denied everything, but Eric sensed his guilt.
Chapter 40: Bonnie Evers
April identifies Trisha’s sister as Bonnie Evers, a bank executive. She tracks Bonnie to the National Capitol Bank on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Chapter 41: Plan B
Senator Lambert, still alive at this point in the timeline, realizes the FBI is closing in. He calls Andrew Rainer and orders him to trigger “Plan B,” an emergency escape plan to deflect the investigation.
Chapter 42: The Tape
A surveillance tech working for the real conspirators records Lambert’s call to Rainer. The tech emails the file up the chain of command, confirming the senator has become a liability.
Chapter 43: April’s Plea
April meets Bonnie Evers using a fake name and begs her to put her in touch with Trisha. Bonnie is resistant until April mentions Jerry Dawson and the danger they are all in. April leaves her number and a plea for Trisha’s life.
Chapter 44: Demir’s New Face
Yusuf Demir flies to DC under a new identity, white-haired and clean-shaven. He targets Senator Lambert as his next hit. He mocks the “stupid Americans” following the news of his previous kills.
Chapter 45: Connecting Jester
Dean explains to April that Lambert was the ranking member on the committee investigating Jester’s oil spill. Jester had billions to lose if Lambert didn’t protect him.
Dean feels his father is the key to the Jester/Lambert connection.
Chapter 46: Lambert’s End
Demir easily infiltrates Senator Lambert’s townhome while FBI agents sit outside. He finds Lambert passed out in a chair and shoots him twice in the temple with a silenced Ruger.
Demir walks right past the protective detail as he leaves.
Chapter 47: Panic Button
Eric is woken up with the news of Lambert’s death. He realizes it was a professional hit and fears his own aggressive interrogation of the senator pushed the “panic button” for the mastermind.
Chapter 48: Trisha’s Text
Trisha Sullivan finally texts April, agreeing to meet at Union Station. April finds Dean asleep and shows him the text. They see the news of Lambert’s death and know they are running out of time.
Chapter 49: The Affair Revealed
Trisha meets Dean and April at a CAVA restaurant in Union Station. She confirms Jerry Dawson is alive and hiding in Costa Rica. Trisha and Jerry were having an affair, and Jerry faked his death to escape the firm’s illegal dealings.
Chapter 50: The Mailbox
Trisha gives Dean Jerry’s business card, which has a UPS Store address and a mailbox code written on the back. Dean realizes his father left evidence behind.
As they leave, Dean spots the man from the Buick and leads him on a chase through the mall to let the women escape. He uses a security guard to scare off his pursuers.
Chapter 51: The Intercept
Dean and April fly back to Austin from Richmond to avoid DC surveillance. As they land, FBI agents immediately intercept Dean. Dean manages to let April walk away unnoticed.
Chapter 52: Eric’s Interrogation
Eric interrogates Dean in a secure room. Dean finally reveals that their father is alive and that he faked his death to escape a conspiracy connected to the Carson assassination. He asks Eric for a few hours to prove it.
Chapter 53: The Evidence
Dean escapes FBI surveillance by renting a ski boat and using a dock-and-taxi switch. He meets April at the UPS Store and finds a manila folder in the mailbox.
The folder contains photos of Jester and Lambert together on a boat named Scorpion Season and encrypted chats discussing the $40 million hit on Carson.
Chapter 54: The Fundraiser
Dean and April crash a high-society fundraiser at the JW Marriott to confront Hossle Jester directly. Dean wants a public admission of guilt before Jester can hide behind his lawyers. They spot Jester in his tuxedo, looking frail but angry.
Chapter 55: The Confrontation
Dean confronts Jester with the boat photos and baits him into an admission. Jester threatens Dean’s life in front of witnesses. Suddenly, Yusuf Demir appears with a gun.
Dean shields April with his body and is shot in the shoulder. Eric appears and kills the assassin with a headshot.
Chapter 56: The Story Breaks
Dean is treated by a medic but refuses to go to the hospital until his story is finished. He watches the chaos from his newsroom window. His team devours the evidence, preparing to publish the biggest story in the publication’s history.
Chapter 57: Protecting Jerry
Dean completes the story, exposing the Jester/Lambert conspiracy and the Caracal’s hit. Eric arrives at the newsroom and reads the draft. He realizes Dean left out their father’s involvement to protect him, and Eric silently agrees to let it go for now.
Chapter 58: Jester’s Arrest
Hossle Jester attempts to flee the country on his $38 million private jet. He fumes over Demir’s failure to kill the reporter. As the plane begins its takeoff roll, FBI vehicles swarm the runway and force the jet to stop.
Chapter 59: Sullivan’s Fate
Edward Sullivan attempts to shred his files and flee the country. He is intercepted in his parking garage by four members of the Zeta Cartel. They kidnap him because he failed to pay the full bribe for the assassination video.
Chapter 60: Rainer’s End
Andrew Rainer hides in a cheap motel, paralyzed by fear. He realizes Jester will eventually kill him or he will face life in prison. He picks up his father’s old revolver and commits suicide.
Chapter 61: Jerry Released
In Costa Rica, Jerry Dawson is blindfolded and dropped off by a van near a hospital. He realizes his captors have released him. He is treated for his injuries and begins asking for a phone to check on Trisha.
Chapter 62: April’s Escape
April watches the news of Jester’s arrest on an airplane while flying to an unknown destination. She feels a mix of relief that Dean survived and sadness that they are no longer together.
Chapter 63: The Aftermath
Dean sits outside his apartment at midnight, feeling a strange emptiness. His story is a sensation, but April is gone. Harvey visits with beer and reminds Dean that his own Watergate story ended with him marrying his source.
Chapter 64: The Reunion
Three weeks later, the Dawson family—including a recovering Jerry—enjoys a day on Lake Travis. Eric and Tina have reconciled, and Ben is planning his wedding.
Dean receives a text from April with a photo of a mountain cabin and the words “I miss you.” He flies to the mountains and reunites with her, realizing their relationship has survived the wake of his father’s choices.
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