Contents
Chapter Ten
Overview
Tony secretly gives Jane a key to his London home, urging her to reengage with life and investigation. Jane inspects Rose White’s annex, noting inconsistencies—no study materials and mixed-size underwear—casting doubt on Rose’s A-level story. Shannon confirms sightings of a shy, anxious girl. Jane arranges cover for her dogs, confronts her attachment to Rosebery Hall, and recommits to finding Rose.
Summary
Tony presses a key into Jane’s hand, inviting her to use his London house while he is away and asking her to keep it from Maddy. He frames it as a way to change pace and keep close to his children, reinforcing his trust in Jane and nudging her toward “solving crimes.”
Jane meets landlady Helen Yaxley and tours Rose White’s annex. Helen recalls Rose as sweet, subdued, and saying she needed quiet to study A levels, but had provided no ID and paid a small cash deposit. Inside, Jane finds an abandoned cup of tea, open suitcase, basics for living, dog supplies, and notably no schoolbooks.
Jane notices mixed signals: oversized high-waisted underwear drying alongside smaller pairs, blond-hair products, minimal toiletries, and no makeup. The details make Rose’s student story feel off. Helen agrees to keep Jane updated, while police may contact the London dog-chip lead.
Back at Rosebery Hall, dog-sitter Shannon reports seeing the girl near Helen’s land and describes her as shy and anxious but functioning. Jane hires Shannon to stay with the dogs while Jane uses Tony’s London place, solidifying Jane’s plan to investigate further.
Alone, Jane grapples with her decaying but identity-defining home. She removes a family portrait, realizing it holds what she truly needs from the house, and recommits to finding Rose rather than succumbing to pity or inertia.
Who Appears
- Jane TrevallyProtagonist; inspects Rose’s annex, notes inconsistencies, secures London base from Tony, arranges dogsitting, recommits to finding Rose.
- Helen YaxleyLandlady; recounts renting to Rose without ID, shows annex, agrees to keep Jane updated.
- ShannonDog-sitter; saw Rose near Helen’s land, describes her as shy and anxious, agrees to stay with Jane’s dogs.
- TonyJane’s ex; lends his London house secretly, encourages Jane to have fun and investigate.
- Rose WhiteMissing young woman; left belongings, no schoolbooks, mixed-size underwear, seen walking a dog near Helen’s.