Contents
Day 3
Overview
Luca begins work at the prestigious Galwenny bookshop but remains consumed by Telma’s peril and the taunting letters. He meets the exacting owner and coworkers while toiling in the stockroom, where paranoia spikes at ominous echoes and a title, She Must Die. Seeking reassurance, Luca asks Joe to check on his mother; Joe reports signs someone was inside her apartment, deepening the mystery and Luca’s fear.
Summary
The chapter opens with a taunting second-person voice belittling Luca and reminding him of the 21-day ultimatum to save Telma. Luca arrives at the historic Galwenny bookshop, distracted by fear and last night’s call with his mother. Owner George Galwenny pointedly welcomes him despite his lateness and the police’s earlier interest.
George walks Luca through the shop and staff: Spencer (Anglo-Saxon literature), Sarah (social sciences), and Dolly (hobbies). In the windowless stockroom, Kamal trains Luca on unpacking and scanning books. The work is punishing and repetitive, and Luca’s anxiety persists as he wonders if the letter writer and Javier’s killer are the same person. He probes Kamal about the job while noticing everyone quietly watching him.
Luca’s paranoia flares when Dolly jokes about young hires “coming and going,” and when Spencer offhandedly says, “It’s not easy, earning a living,” echoing the letters’ tone. Overwhelmed, Luca briefly confronts Spencer, then returns to the stockroom, where a book titled She Must Die rattles him. The day grinds on without camaraderie; Kamal works mechanically, and Luca struggles to keep pace.
Following Joe’s advice to keep boundaries at work, Luca takes a lunch break and later calls Joe, asking him to check on Luca’s mother. At day’s end, the hostel reception seems newly fortified. In his room, Luca receives Joe’s update: Joe saw a moving light inside Luca’s mother’s apartment while she was out; the door was locked when they checked, and the neighbor denies entering. Though Luca’s mother downplays it, Joe is certain someone was inside, confirming Luca’s fear that he and his family are being watched.
Who Appears
- LucaProtagonist; starts work at Galwenny, struggles with anxiety and paranoia, arranges for Joe to check on his mother.
- George GalwennyOwner of the Galwenny bookshop; formally welcomes Luca while noting his lateness and prior police contact.
- KamalStockroom veteran; trains Luca on unpacking and scanning, works tirelessly, speaks little but monitors him.
- SpencerAnglo-Saxon literature bookseller; makes a pointed remark echoing the letters, briefly confronted by Luca.
- DollyHobbies section bookseller; friendly quips unsettle Luca amid his suspicion and stress.
- SarahSocial sciences bookseller; affable presence, observes Luca’s adjustment on his first day.
- JoeLuca’s friend; checks on Luca’s mother, reports a suspicious moving light and likely intruder.
- Luca’s motherSpeaks with Luca by phone; later downplays possible intrusion at her apartment when Joe investigates.
- Anonymous letter writerMenacing voice framing the chapter; taunts Luca about work and Telma’s dwindling time.