# Wilmer Cook — The Maltese Falcon character guide

> Wilmer Cook in The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Wilmer, The boy Wilmer

**First appearance:** 0012-xi-the-fat-man

## Snapshot

Gutman's young gunman, a trigger-happy boy in over his head, he does the killings his employer prefers not to discuss.

## Who they are

Wilmer trails targets, waits outside hotels, and pulls the trigger when Gutman gives the word—then sulks when Spade treats him like a child. He is fiercely loyal to the fat man who keeps him close, but his youth and his temper make him a liability as much as a weapon. When Spade demands a fall-guy to close the case, Wilmer's future becomes the currency of the bargain, and the boy knows it.

## Relationships

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_rivalry_

A contemptuous and violent dynamic, with Spade mocking and physically dominating the young gunman, who resents him deeply.

### [Casper Gutman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/casper_gutman)

_psychological_

A manipulative master-servant relationship where Gutman uses Wilmer as a disposable henchman, showing no loyalty or care for his safety.

### [Joel Cairo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/joel_cairo)

_rivalry_

A mutual contemptuous relationship, with Cairo viewing Wilmer as a brutish thug and Wilmer resenting Cairo's effete mannerisms.

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_rivalry_

A contemptuous and violent dynamic, with Spade mocking and physically dominating the young gunman, who resents him deeply.

### [Casper Gutman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/casper_gutman)

_psychological_

A manipulative master-servant relationship where Gutman uses Wilmer as a disposable henchman, showing no loyalty or care for his safety.

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_rivalry_

A contemptuous and violent dynamic, with Spade mocking and physically dominating the young gunman, who resents him deeply.

### [Casper Gutman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/casper_gutman)

_psychological_

A manipulative master-servant relationship where Gutman uses Wilmer as a disposable henchman, showing no loyalty or care for his safety.

### [Joel Cairo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/joel_cairo)

_rivalry_

A mutual contemptuous relationship, with Cairo viewing Wilmer as a brutish thug and Wilmer resenting Cairo's effete mannerisms.

## In the story

### [The Maltese Falcon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/the-maltese-falcon)

Gutman's young, violent henchman, who is ultimately set up as a fall guy by Spade.

### [VI: The Undersized Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/vi-the-undersized-shadow)

The undersized youth tailing Spade is identified as Wilmer, though not named in this chapter; he is described as an undersized youth in a grey cap and overcoat.

### [VII: G in the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/vii-g-in-the-air)

Mentioned as the boy watching the house from outside.

### [X: The Belvedere Divan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/x-the-belvedere-divan)

The young shadow sitting in the Belvedere lobby, confronts Spade and is expelled by Luke.

### [The Fat Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xi-the-fat-man)

The boy who opens the door for Spade at Gutman's suite; he had previously confronted Spade in the Belvedere lobby.

### [XII: Merry-Go-Round](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xii-merry-go-round)

Escorts Spade to Gutman's; is disarmed by Spade in the corridor.

### [XIII: The Emperor's Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xiii-the-emperor-s-gift)

Accompanies Spade, retrieves his pistols from Gutman, and leaves the room without speaking.

### [XVII: Saturday Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvii-saturday-night)

Wilmer ambushes Spade and Brigid at Spade's apartment.

### [The Fall-Guy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xviii-the-fall-guy)

Threatens Spade with a gun, is subdued by Gutman and Cairo, then knocked unconscious by Spade; designated as the fall guy.

### [XIX: The Russian's Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xix-the-russian-s-hand)

Lies unconscious on the sofa, later wakes and strikes Cairo in disgust.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/wilmer_cook
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters