Alvin McCarron
The private investigator Herbert hires to examine Dickie's disappearance and the trail around Tom.
To give Herbert the clearest account the surviving evidence will support.
The book
At a glance
- Private investigator
- Herbert
- Investigate Dickie's disappearance
- Tom
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeAlvin McCarron is an American private investigator working for Herbert after police attention and unanswered questions make a family inquiry necessary.
He is patient and professional rather than theatrical. He examines Tom's account, correspondence, and possible motives.
His presence matters because Tom must survive sustained attention from someone paid to notice inconsistencies.
How the book draws them
- ProfessionalHe treats the case as an assignment, not a contest.
- PatientHe lets Tom speak and compares the account with other information.
- Privately employedHe answers to Herbert rather than the Italian state.
- Careful with conclusionsHe does not claim proof where the record remains uncertain.
McCarron does not uncover proof of the murders or impersonation.
He tells Tom the family accepts the will, delivering confirmation that the inheritance scheme worked.
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