Chapter Sixty-Three

Over drinks, Jane presses Stuart about the disturbing photo of a girl in leg shackles. Stuart says he asked Annie, who stonewalled and insisted the girl was merely an au pair and that the shackles were just Jasper’s tricks before the girl left. Stuart contrasts this with Jessamine’s disclosure that their father abused her; Annie flatly denied it, calling Jessamine a fantasist.

Stuart explains he believed Jessamine despite her addictions, and knew Annie was lying but lacked proof. He admits he found nothing further about the girl in the photo or about Claire, leaving him frustrated and still searching for answers.

Jane then raises the outhouse behind Stuart’s kitchen, describing metal rings screwed into the walls that suggest restraints. Stuart first deflects with the lawn-mower story, then grows visibly fearful as Jane insists it was used to hold someone. The tension spikes as Stuart grips Hugo’s lead, drinks quickly, and prepares to leave.

When Jane asks about Daisy’s whereabouts, Stuart cuts her off, pleading that they not go to the police yet and to let him speak to Annie and Jessamine first. He refuses to address Daisy directly, begs for time, and departs with Hugo, leaving Jane and Dexter with heightened suspicion and no immediate resolution.