Chapter Ten

Leaving Bianca’s, Dresden phones Linda Randall, who refuses to talk. He tracks her to O’Hare, where her sultry deflections mask nervousness. When pressed, Linda admits Jennifer Stanton called Wednesday for Tommy Tomm’s birthday, proposing a reunion, but Linda claims she had to work. Dresden notes Linda’s self-disgust beneath her flirtation and her employment by the eerie Beckitts, with Mrs. Beckitt’s possessive touch hinting at an unhealthy dynamic.

Weighing money troubles against mortal danger, Dresden considers whether to pursue police research or Monica Sells’s case. He follows a faery lead and calls the local pizza place near Victor Sells’s lake house. The delivery driver, Jack, panics and blurts that he saw a wild party inside and a man dressed in black photographing from the deck. Jack implies someone already called to intimidate him into silence.

Dresden infers Victor Sells is covering tracks and knows he’s being sought. The film canister Dresden found likely came from the unknown photographer. He suspects the missing husband is actively avoiding discovery and may be dangerous.

Arriving home, Dresden is ambushed by a thug with a baseball bat, who issues a warning to stop asking questions or be silenced “permanently.” Shaken but defiant, Dresden suspects Marcone’s involvement, arms himself with a .38, and resolves not to be cowed.

Head throbbing, Dresden descends to his workroom and begins planning potent thaumaturgy—up to and including ripping a heart from miles away—signaling a readiness to escalate against whoever is threatening him.