Maxwell and Jessie are at his house planning their stakeout. They draw up a map of the area surrounding Grandma’s house, including the neighbors, who are the prime suspects. They go through each family living in the area, removing people from their suspect list for various reasons such as age and their friendship with Grandma. When Jessie points to the Sinclairs’ house, Maxwell begins rocking, telling her that the boys who live there are mean.

Jessie presses Maxwell for information, but he will not say anything except the names of the boys, Jeff and Mike. Maxwell rocks as he paces the room in circles, snapping his fingers while making a puffing noise with his mouth. Distracted, Jessie tells Maxwell to sit down and stop making so much noise. Jessie asks Maxwell if the Sinclair boys have ever mentioned Grandma’s bell, and Maxwell reveals that he heard them on “Wednesday. December eighth. At 2:23 p.m.” (97) discuss how they were going to take the bell. Jessie is surprised and asks Maxwell why he did not tell her this earlier. Maxwell responds that she did not ask.

Since they’ve targeted suspects, Jessie suggests they go to the Sinclairs’ house to stage their stakeout.