Contents
Chapter Seventy-Three
Overview
Police question Jessamine after Stuart and Jane summon them. Jessamine reports Annie Black’s death as an accident and says the body is in the outhouse. She claims her mother killed her father and that her parents murdered others, listing victims by name. Her statement reframes the Vale house as a longstanding crime scene.
Summary
The police arrive about an hour later. Jane stays with Stuart and Daisy, messaging others to confirm she is safe. Jane notes Jessamine’s alarming frailty and, while touching the concealed kitchen knife in her handbag, instead offers Jessamine lip balm, which Jessamine accepts in silence.
Two officers begin taking a statement. When asked, Jessamine says she wants to report an accidental death. She identifies the deceased as her mother, Annie Black, and states the body is in the outhouse.
Pressed on timing, Jessamine says the accident happened last week. She explains she was very unwell, panicked, and hid Annie in the outhouse, but now needs to explain everything. Her delivery appears fragile yet convincing.
Jessamine then alleges deeper crimes: she calls her mother evil, claims her mother killed her father, and says both parents killed other people. She frames the home as “a house of fucking horrors,” and proceeds to list victims by name: Naomi de Santo, Jody Pinkerton, Susana Perez, Elena Iannou, Jade Paris-Smith, Charaya Kim, and Claire Connolly.
The scene closes with Jessamine positioning Annie’s death as accidental while simultaneously accusing her parents of multiple murders, setting the stage for a broader criminal investigation into the Vale household.
Who Appears
- Jessamine ValeGaunt and distressed; reports Annie’s death as accidental; accuses her parents of multiple murders and lists victims.
- JaneWitness and support; stays with Stuart and Daisy; offers Jessamine lip balm; observes and anchors the scene.
- StuartHosts police, provides water; present as Jessamine gives her statement about Annie and past murders.
- Female PCLeads questioning and clarifies the report of an accidental death; receives water from Stuart.
- Male OfficerTakes notes during Jessamine’s statement about the death and alleged murders.
- DaisyPresent, silent support alongside Jane and Stuart during the police interview.
- Annie BlackDeceased; body in the outhouse; portrayed by Jessamine as evil and responsible for past killings.