Chapter Fifteen: Signals

Lachlan waits for Lark’s late-night call, then secretly collects her from the sleep retreat. He brings her to an A-frame cabin where Conor has restrained Dr. Louis Campbell, Ashborne’s headmaster. Lachlan presents emails proving Campbell ignored faculty warnings about Laurent Verdon’s predation, including signs of harm to Sloane Sutherland and Lark Montague.

Campbell pleads, citing leverage against the Montagues, but Lachlan reveals he already seized the files. Lachlan lowers his gun and invites Lark in. Lark opens a prepared toolbox, threads a needle with gold, and methodically sews Campbell’s lips shut, telling him he silenced victims. She then executes him with Lachlan’s pistol.

Conor escorts Lark back while Lachlan cleans the scene. Before leaving, Conor shares a lead: recurring $50,000 payments in Club Pacifico’s books, owned by Lucas Martins, a cousin of Bob Foster, with unclear destinations. Lachlan resolves to investigate.

Returning home near 3 a.m., Lachlan crafts a macabre “trophy” in Lark’s studio and speaks with Lark by phone. She recounts her first day at the retreat. At her request, Lachlan reads the Constantine screenplay until Lark falls asleep, quietly staying on the line to keep her resting.