Contents
Chapter Thirty-Three
Overview
Jane covertly accesses Thornwood from the Heath, documenting the property’s neglected rear and outbuildings. She discovers a locked outhouse with an open padlock, a solitary chair, and metal rings set to restrain arms, confirming sinister activity tied to the house. This tangible evidence escalates the stakes of her investigation.
Summary
Jane follows a hidden route across Hampstead Heath, guided by a Land Registry map that promises a back way into Thornwood. She slips through a rotting fence and surveys the overgrown garden, conservatory, and kitchen window, noting the property’s neglect. She documents everything with photographs to build evidence.
Circling the rear of the house, Jane locates an attached outhouse with a metal door held by an apparently open padlock. After checking for watchers at the windows, she carefully opens the grinding door and steps inside.
Within, Jane finds a single metal chair with a ripped vinyl seat and two metal rings screwed into the facing walls. She tests the spacing by sitting and extending her arms, discovering they align perfectly with the rings, implying a setup for restraint. She photographs the scene, securing concrete indications of disturbing activity at Thornwood.
Who Appears
- JaneInvestigator who infiltrates Thornwood’s rear garden, documents the property, and discovers an outhouse outfitted for restraining someone.