Why do you think Rab decided to help Lee in the end? What did you think of his condition, that Lee write him letters in prison? Would you have agreed if you were Lee?

Why do you think Rab decided to help Lee in the end? Did you expect this, or did it surprise you? What did you think of his condition, that Lee write him letters in prison? Would you have agreed if you were Lee?

There was an intelligence to Rab that transcended the skinhead stereotype. I think he appreciated the risk Lee took and recognized the skill she possessed. I think his decision was a bit self-serving as Lee's knowledge makes his life more interesting.

In spite of his awful belief system, Rab was intelligent and curious. He seemed to respect Lee's strength and her unwillingness to be intimidated by him. He also understood that she had enough self-confidence to take the risk of allowing him to testify. Perhaps Lee saw the request to write as an opportunity to make a difference. I would have agreed to write as well, for that reason.

He respected her because she was honest with him and the 'chess' game they engaged in was rewarding. It was an interesting condition he imposed...one she found to be worth the effort. She saw through is façade, his armor, to the essence of the man. Because of his keen intelligence, I would have agreed to write also.

I think Rab felt as an equal to Lee. She could play his game and he felt her could play hers. Through that he felt there was mutual respect.

Was it not Rab that first saved Jeremy off the street? That act shows that there is a bit of a soft spot for others. Rab hid behind a 'tough guy' persona. He may have had a lot of hate in him, but he also knew right from wrong. I think he understood that Jeremy was not cut from the same cloth he was and ultimately thought it better to push him away from the skin head lifestyle.

I think that Lee would live up to the letter writing condition. Had I made that deal I would have lived up to it. I think Rab wanted a reminder that he was human, that he had done a good deed, that he was not pure evil and Lee's letters would always remind him of that.

I think Rab was all for Rab. I think he enjoyed toying with people. Keep them guessing. I think he enjoyed the power he had over these professional people. He did it so that Lee would send him a paragraph or 2 monthly. He did it for himself. I though he was a sociopath through and through.

I think Rab was smart and respected smart people. Once he realized that Lee was his equal in intelligence, he decided to do the right thing. I would also have agreed to write him in prison...having correspondence from a good, smart person may help his path in prison.

I wonder about the potential for manipulation here. I keep thinking about all those TV shows (e.g., NCIS) and movies (Silence of the Lambs) where a truly evil person in prison tries to manipulate someone on the outside. Wondering how he'll feature in a sequel... 'cause you know he will!

Perhaps it was purely to manipulate Lee, but maybe it is because he is secretly gay. It would certainly be a reason why he wanted Lee to write to him using the Ms. in front of her name. He said, "Make it from Ms. Lee Isaacs so the inmates will know you're a lady". He would have been known in prison for his part in helping get Jeremy, the gay boy, aquitted for murder. Some inmates might assume Rab was also gay and cause him a lot of conflict or harm.

Did anyone else pick up on this?

Oh wow, renem! Great point! I don't think Rab was too worried though about having to defend himself against other inmates. He had been raised in the foster care system, trained in martial arts, and led his own small band of skinheads. I feel like he will be able to hold his own in prison, particularly if he joins a group of like minded individuals. I think he just wanted the other inmates to know he had a woman on the outside- -maybe that ups one's credibility in prison.

In spite of what he had done, Lee treated Rab like a human being when she visited him in jail. She acknowledged his horrible upbringing in the foster care system without pitying him or giving him a line of bullshit. They enjoyed a moment sharing their common interest of martial arts. Lee wasn't afraid or intimidated of Rab, and while he may not have respected her for that, he was intrigued by her.

And even if Rab didn't know Jeremy was gay, he certainly recognized something different about him- -he knew Jeremy was not hardened or hateful. Maybe Rab helped because he knew what would happen from personal experience if no one did. "Your client was so ridiculously unsuited for the street." (He also could have just liked screwing with his own attorney and the prosecutor- -like giving the justice system a big middle finger!)

Lee challenged Rab in some ways, and I think he appreciated that. I think the letter writing will help him stay intellectually connected. The letters will serve as a reminder of the one right thing he has done in his life. Lee had wanted to ask a whole bunch of other questions when she had Rab on the stand. She didn't because she sensed he was getting bored and restless. Maybe by writing to him, she will have the opportunity. Rab did help Lee win her case which gave her back her edge and eliminated many of the doubts she was feeling. She knew she owed him. And I would have agreed to write as well.

I think Rab was truthful on the stand because he respected the fact that Lee was "ballsy" and had the courage to call him even though she couldn't be sure what he would say (she was willing to play Russian roulette). She showed no fear of him and treated him like a human being. And given his choices of whom he could screw, Lee or the DA, he found it more appealing to screw the DA. I was surprised that he asked her to write to him in prison but not that she agreed. She was hoping he would ask for something she could ethically do, and he did. I don't think Lee would have any problem writing a paragraph or two a month, nor would she feel guilty about writing to a sociopath. He did her a good turn, and she will return the favor.

I agree with the above. Rab is intelligent AND self-serving (narcissist, sociopath). He could get more out of helping Lee than helping the DA, so I didn't find his telling the truth unbelievable at all.

I agree with josephinej that Rab could get more out of helping Lee than helping the DA. I also agree that he is more intelligent than the other skinheads depicted in the book and he's the one who helped Jeremy when he was threatened on the street. The condition that Lee be a penpal is interesting and perhaps a follow up book could get us more into Rab's head and flesh out his relationship with Lee.

For the fun of it. To practice his manipulation skills.

I think Rab sees Lee as an equal, as a worthy adversary who is not intimidated by him. He may believe that letters from. Woman on the outside will increase his credibility with the other inmates. I would also agree to write to him but I would be cautious about attempts to manipulate me and/or the system.

There was some compassion in Rab in safeguarding Jeremy. I believe he truly cared for him like a big brother would. I think Rab sees an equal adversary in Lee. He craves intellectual stimulation that he would receive from her letters. If the author continues with this series - I believe we will see Rab again.

Rab felt sorry for Jeremy when he saw a gang confronting the boy and took him under his wing. Rab, hearing other skin heads questioning Jeremy’s behavior after the murder, told the boy what to do so the others would accept him.
I think Rab respects Lee and thinks that he could stay connected to her through letters. Yes, I would have agreed because Rob helped win the case and perhaps I could help him.

Rab decided to help Lee as he recognized that there exists good amongst evil and that Lee was an instrument that could help Jeremy towards a better life than Rab had endured. A strong thread of protectiveness was in Rab's character when he took it upon himself to offer Jeremy initial shelter and protection. I think he saw "the lost Rab" somehow in Jeremy and so made the decision to help Lee. His condition of receiving letters from Lee in prision was a continuance of the "good thread." from an outside world he would never see or have to deal with again. If I were Lee, I certainly would have taken the deal.