Contents
Chapter Eighteen
Overview
Jane confronts the Thornwood homeowner, who rebuffs her, intensifying her suspicions. She then identifies him as Stuart Tucker via an old petition, links Jessamine Black to the same address, and discovers Jessamine’s film credit for The Bedsitter. Seeing Natasha de Large listed on the crew, Jane reaches out, hoping for answers.
Summary
Jane returns to Thornwood in the Vale of Health to press the homeowner about Hugo and the missing Rose White. Stuart Tucker answers with hostility, and when Jane asks about a stepdaughter and the initials DB, he shuts the conversation down and drags Hugo inside, leaving Jane convinced he is withholding information.
Back in Seven Dials, Jane dives into online research to identify the man. After extensive searching, she finds a 2018 online petition listing Stuart Tucker at Thornwood and, crucially, a second signatory at the same address: Jessamine Black. The pairing suggests a domestic link tying Thornwood to Jane’s past suspicions.
Pursuing Jessamine’s name, Jane discovers an IMDB entry for The Bedsitter (2006) crediting Jessamine Black. On the same page, a costume designer is named Natasha de Large—a name Jane recognizes as a dog trainer she once used. The coincidence suggests a new route to information about Jessamine and Thornwood.
Jane messages Natasha on Instagram, referencing their past and asking about her work on the film, hoping Natasha can provide details that connect Jessamine, Stuart Tucker, and the mysteries surrounding Rose White and Thornwood.
Who Appears
- JaneInvestigator; confronts Thornwood’s owner, identifies him as Stuart Tucker, links Jessamine Black, finds The Bedsitter credit, and contacts Natasha.
- Stuart TuckerThornwood homeowner; rebuffs Jane’s questions about Hugo, a stepdaughter, and Rose; identified via a 2018 petition.
- HugoWhite Westie; appears at Thornwood, underscoring the link between Jane’s area, the dog, and Rose White.
- Jessamine BlackLinked to Stuart Tucker’s address; appears on IMDB for The Bedsitter, strengthening Jane’s Thornwood connection.
- Natasha de LargeDog trainer Jane knows; credited as costume designer on The Bedsitter; contacted by Jane for information.
- Rose WhiteMissing tenant connected to Hugo and the DB hoodie; central to Jane’s investigation and suspicions about Thornwood.