Contents
Chapter Thirty-One
Overview
Jane receives Land Registry documents confirming Thornwood is owned by Allen and Anne Black, previously by the late Vivienne Rich. She builds a comprehensive timeline and studies the title plan, spotting potential access from the Heath to reconnoiter Thornwood without alerting Stuart Tucker. An email from Oliver Bloom promises insights into Jessamine; Jane schedules a midday call.
Summary
At dawn, Jane receives the Land Registry report. It confirms Thornwood, Vale of Health, is owned by Allen and Anne Black, and was formerly owned by Vivienne Rich. A search shows a 2000 message-board post announcing Vivienne’s death, posted by “AnnieB,” suggesting local connections to Hampstead.
Needing clarity, Jane buys stationery at Charing Cross and constructs a detailed timeline on Tony’s fridge. She reviews key threads, focusing on Jasper, the “clown boy,” reconsidering Daisy’s remark about him running away with the circus as potentially literal.
Jane examines the title plan and realizes Thornwood’s plot fans out behind the cottage, abutting the Heath with apparent footpaths toward Spaniards Road. She decides to attempt a covert approach from the Heath to observe the property without alerting Stuart Tucker.
Before leaving, Jane receives an email from Oliver Bloom, who claims a brief, strange relationship with Jessamine and offers information, requesting a midday call. Jane sets a reminder, prepares for the day, and heads for the tube to advance her investigation.
Who Appears
- JaneInvestigator; confirms Thornwood ownership, builds a case timeline, plans covert access via the Heath, and schedules Oliver call.
- Oliver BloomFormer co-star of Jessamine; emails Jane, implies a brief affair, offers information, asks for a noon call.
- Allen BlackCurrent co-owner of Thornwood per Land Registry; potential link to Hampstead community.
- Anne BlackCurrent co-owner of Thornwood; possibly the “AnnieB” who posted Vivienne Rich’s notice.
- Vivienne RichFormer Thornwood owner; died in 2000, indicating long-standing ties to the property.
- Stuart TuckerGatekeeper figure at Thornwood; Jane plans to reconnoiter without alerting him.
- JasperThe ‘clown boy’; Jane reconsiders that he may have literally joined a circus.
- DaisySource of the ‘ran away with the circus’ comment about Jasper; prompts Jane’s rethink.
- TonyOwner of the flat Jane uses; his fridge hosts her new investigative timeline.