Ruinous Love Trilogy, #2
Leather & Lark
by Brynne Weaver
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Four: Apparition
Overview
Lachlan rushes to Ethel’s facility, discovers Lark missing, and learns from Conor that Stan’s killer used Lachlan’s own leather tool. Clues reveal the killer as Abe Mead, posing as a temp aide. Lachlan and Rose find Bentley wounded and uncover Abe’s surveillance nest with a map to Portsmouth, setting their rescue pursuit.
Summary
Lachlan arrives at Shoreview Assisted Living to mourn Ethel with Nina and Damian but realizes Lark never shows. His texts and calls go unanswered, triggering dread. Conor breaks Stan’s encryption, revealing video of the killer using a WUTA edge beveller from Lachlan’s shop and wearing a Carhartt hat.
Linking the tool and cap to a client, Lachlan identifies the man as “Abe Midus.” A nurse mentions a Bible-quoting temp named “Steve,” implying the killer infiltrated the facility. Lachlan races home with Rose and Fionn to search for Lark.
They find the apartment door unlocked, blood on the floor, and Bentley stabbed but alive. Lark’s phone lies blood-smeared near a broken lamp, confirming a struggle. Fionn begins emergency care on Bentley while Rose compels Lachlan to think of anomalies; he recalls seeing the suspect across the street.
Lachlan and Rose breach the opposite building and uncover a stalking lair: sketches, scripture, notes, a scope aimed at their windows, medical supplies, and Lark’s KEX ticket. Conor can’t locate “Abe Midus,” but a Bible reveals the name Abe Mead—brother of Harvey Mead, previously killed by Rowan and Sloane—tying motive to revenge.
A map labeled Portsmouth is taped to the door, providing a likely destination. Rose declares love to Fionn before departing, and Lachlan and Rose sprint out, intent on rescuing Lark.
Who Appears
- Lachlan KanePOV; discovers Lark missing, links killer to his leather tool, finds lair and Portsmouth lead.
- RoseAssists search, picks locks, finds Abe’s clues; declares love to Fionn; joins Lachlan to pursue Lark.
- Abe MeadAntagonist; poses as temp aide, abducts Lark; brother of Harvey; obsessive lair points to Portsmouth.
- Fionn KaneStabilizes Bentley’s stab wound; urges caution; asks Lachlan to keep Rose safe.
- ConorDecrypts Stan’s video, identifies WUTA tool and hat; confirms Abe Mead identity and background.
- Damian MontagueLark’s father; at Ethel’s facility, alarmed by Lark’s disappearance, coordinates with Lachlan.
- Nina MontagueLark’s mother; grieving Ethel, grows frantic when Lark doesn’t arrive.
- BentleyLark and Lachlan’s dog; stabbed during abduction, survives with Fionn’s aid.
- Reception nurseMentions the Bible-quoting temp “Steve,” confirming the killer infiltrated the facility.
- EthelRecently murdered; her death precipitates the gathering and Lark’s attempted visit.
- Stan TremblayDeceased; his encrypted footage reveals the killer using Lachlan’s tool.