In the Heat of the Night

Sam chats with Pete about the case. They praise Virgil’s detective skills, acknowledging his intellect despite their prejudices: “‘Smartest black I ever saw,’ Pete concluded; then he added a remarkable tribute. ‘He oughta been a white man’” (70). Meanwhile, Virgil meets with Reverend Whiteburn, an elderly Black minister. Virgil doesn’t think the suspect he’s looking for is Black, which relieves the reverend. Virgil knows that Enrico was killed with a piece of wood, and he hopes the Reverend can help. Whiteburn obliges and makes plans to have the neighborhood kids gather firewood for the church. Hopefully, the kids will find the murder weapon.

Frank asks Bill to come by his office to speak with him and the other councilman. Bill goes, determined to be polite and cordial and not risk his job. The councilmen ask Bill about the case and repeatedly call Virgil the n-word. They’re upset a Black man is questioning White people. Soon, the community might start lashing out. Bill returns to the police station, more determined than ever to find the murderer.

Sam gets ready for another night shift. Virgil asks to go with him to retrace Sam’s exact route the night of the murder.