Contents
26. Birdy
Overview
Birdy pauses reviewing Harrison’s interview to meet Carter at the Smuggler’s Inn. Carter recounts the impostor incident and claims he first met Eden at the gallery. Birdy orders him to question the gallery owner, Diana, and realizes Carter is lying about his earlier contact with Eden, sharpening suspicion around him.
Summary
Birdy, reading the transcript of Carter’s interview with Harrison, relocates to the Smuggler’s Inn and summons Carter. She notes the pub’s quiet, then challenges Carter about the report of a woman impersonating Eden at Spyglass and the gallery.
Carter explains Harrison called 999 about an intruder claiming to be Eden. He says he saw the real Eden at the gallery, detained the other woman twice, judged her unstable, and implies she escaped. Birdy questions his decisions, presses for details, and requests background on the exhibition’s origin.
Birdy orders Carter to interview the gallery owner, Diana—nicknamed the “black widow” for outliving three husbands—ignoring local gossip except to warn him off tea. Carter claims he first met Eden at the gallery.
After he leaves, Birdy reflects that she knows Carter met Eden earlier than he admits. His lie intensifies her doubts about his conduct and motives, even as she continues reviewing the case materials.
Who Appears
- Olivia “Birdy” BirdNarrator and DCI; questions Carter, directs him to Diana, and detects his lie about first meeting Eden.
- Sgt. CarterDescribes the impostor incident, claims first met Eden at the gallery, is sent to interview Diana; lies about prior contact.
- Eeden FoxSubject of the impostor dispute; one woman claimed to be her while another was accepted as Eden.
- Harrison WoolfHusband who called 999 about an impostor at Spyglass; previously interviewed by Carter.
- DianaGallery owner nicknamed the “black widow”; to be interviewed about Eden’s exhibition.
- SundayBirdy’s dog; present at the pub meeting with Carter.