Hollow Fires

A news article reveals that Nate and Richard were both arrested at their homes for the murder of Jawad Ali.

Safiya provides a brief description of the oral history transcript she has included as part of Jawad’s story. In his oral history project, Jawad describes his dad’s experience as a translator during the Iraq war, and his family’s experience moving to the United States. He says that his parents always tell him, “Don’t let the hate others feel for you into your heart. In America, they say, anything is possible” (348).

In a transcript of the interrogation between Detective Diaz, Detective Crowe, and Nate, Nate tells the officers that they will be in trouble when his father returns from his trip to Michigan. The officers show Nate the picture of his glasses at the crime scene, and Nate starts to show signs of concern.

In an interview that takes place right before the verdict for Jawad’s case is handed down, Safiya talks about the media’s culpability, often presenting victims of color as thugs or terrorists. When the interviewer asks her whether she thinks “[she’ll] get justice for Jawad” Safiya says, “We might get accountability, but it won’t be justice” (355). Safiya is hopeful for a guilty verdict.

The officers tell Richard that they have recovered the rental car and that Nate accused Richard of committing the murder, while Nate drove. Richard is furious and says that Nate is lying; he says that the vandalism, murder, and swastika were all Nate’s idea. The officers push further, telling Richard that Nate pinned everything, including tricking Safiya, onto Richard. Richard yells, “That fucking liar! [...] He did it! [...] All I did was drive” (359).

A news article reports Nate and Richard’s charges and includes several quotes from their families and other influential people defending them. The article also includes quotes from social justice activists who point out how Nate and Richard’s whiteness is protecting them throughout their indictment.

Jawad’s parents bury him, and their prayers finally warm him so that he feels safe to say goodbye. Jawad says goodbye to his parents, asking them to “Remember me laughing [...] Remember us laughing” (363).

In a series of replies to a tweet announcing the $2 million bail set for Nate and Richard, the comments all support Nate and Richard, specifically because they are attractive.

Safiya recovers in the ER, furious with the #hotconvict and #feloncrushfridays tweets she sees about Nate and Richard. She and Asma worry that the boys won’t face consequences because of their wealth.

The officers tell Nate that Richard pinned the murder, the vandalism, and the false kidnapping on him. Nate pushes back, saying, “It was him! All of it [He was obsessed. Said we’d never get caught [...] All I did was drive” (372).

A magazine article explores how white men become targets for online radicalization. The article details the amount of alt-right activity found on Nate and Richard’s IP addresses, including “Ghost Skkkin America and White Resistance Army (WRA)” (374).

The journal entries include three dates: January 7, 2022; January 19, 2022; and January 20, 2022. In the journal, Nate confesses to not only Jawad’s murder and the vandalism on the mosque, but also vandalism in Michigan and on some graves prior to the events of the novel.

Radio show host Kayleigh Barr believes that “these two all-American kids—kids who volunteer in their community, kids who regularly hit the honor roll, have been set up” (378). She calls into question the interrogation, making a point to emphasize Detective Diaz’s name, and the integrity of the State’s Attorney, who she claims was voted in by “groups and individuals who might be on watchlists” (379). The host ends the show by telling the audience to prepare to respond to the verdict, using the phrase “Stand back and stand by” (380).

A blog post details the argument that Nate and Richard’s lawyers used during the trial: “according to the Defense’s affluenza argument, the two were not able to understand the magnitude of their actions as they were raised to believe their wealth and privilege superseded the law” (381). The state offered a plea deal to Nate and Richard, but they declined and decided to go to trial.

For the past 16 months, Jawad has spent his time sitting by the lake. One day, he finally believes he’s at rest. He feels himself “carried up into the clouds [...] into the night sky [...] a single star. Shining” (385).

The Jury unanimously finds Nate and Richard guilty of both first-degree murder and a hate crime.

Safiya addresses Richard directly with her victim impact statement after the verdict is handed down. She points out that he smiled throughout the trial, except for when the verdict was given. It was the only sign of fear of consequence that Richard showed at all during the trial. Safiya tells Richard, “I’m scared every day. And I’m so, so angry. All the time. You took a part of me. A trusting, understanding part of me and ripped it to shreds” (390). Safiya declares that she will keep speaking out and keep remembering Jawad, “keep shining the light on the truth” (392).

Safiya is certain that though Richard and Nate were charged and sentenced, their lawyers will work to get their sentence appealed at some point. Safiya knows she’ll hold onto the memory of Jawad for the rest of her life, but she lets his ghost go and imagines him in “the stars [...] shining” (395).

Hollow Fires is based on the real-life murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in 1924. Nathan and Richard were wealthy teenagers who believed in Nietzsche’s superman ideal and wanted to commit the perfect crime. They were eventually caught because of Leopold’s custom glasses found at the crime scene and were defended using the “affluenza” defense by Clarence Darrow. The author suggests reading The Leopold and Loeb Files: An Intimate Look at One of America’s Most Infamous Crimes by Nina Barrett for more information.