Contents
Chapter Seventy-Four
Overview
Police uncover hidden rooms beneath Annie Black’s study containing multiple victims and the desiccated body of Allen Black. Jessamine confesses that Annie killed Allen and Claire Connolly and that Claire’s baby was given to her, and she admits pushing Annie to her death after Daisy’s confrontation.
Media frenzy erupts as Jane returns to Rosebery, unsettled and increasingly suspicious of Jessamine despite the seeming resolution.
Summary
The murder squad locates a trapdoor beneath Annie Black’s study, leading to a warren of underground rooms furnished for children. They recover blankets, clothes, and the embedded remains of multiple girls. On a toddler bed lies Allen Black’s desiccated body, killed by stab wounds to throat and eyes.
Jessamine tells police Annie killed Allen in a jealous rage over Claire Connolly, then killed Claire and gave Claire’s baby to Jessamine. She explains her own decline and claims she and Jasper knew about the hidden girls but felt powerless under their parents’ control.
Pressed by officers, Jessamine admits knowledge of the “au pairs,” who were actually sex workers Allen brought home, first locked in an attic room and later forced into silence while Allen abused them. She says she pushed Annie down the stairs after Daisy demanded the truth and Annie moved to strike Daisy.
Recovery of the victims takes weeks, identifications months, but the immediate revelations shock Jane. The Vale of Health floods the news, and Jane returns to Rosebery Hall, processing the exposure of Thornwood’s secrets and the apparent unburdening of Jessamine and freedom of Stuart and Daisy.
Despite the resolution, Jane fixates on Jessamine’s almost exultant reaction to Annie’s death. Comparing it to her own grief for her mother, Jane grows convinced that Jessamine is not trustworthy.
Who Appears
- Jessamine BlackConfesses Annie killed Allen and Claire; received Claire’s baby; knew of captive ‘au pairs’; admits pushing Annie.
- JaneObserves the investigation, returns to Rosebery, and grows suspicious of Jessamine’s reaction and reliability.
- Annie BlackPosthumously exposed as killer of Allen and Claire; kept victims under her study; dies from a staircase fall.
- Allen BlackFound desiccated in the underground rooms; killed by Annie in a jealous rage.
- Police/Murder squadDiscover subterranean rooms and remains; question Jessamine and begin recovery and identification of victims.
- Daisy (Rose)Her confrontation with Annie precipitates Jessamine pushing Annie; later considered safe.
- Claire ConnollyVictim killed by Annie; her baby was taken and given to Jessamine.
- Stuart TuckerUnaware of Annie’s death initially; later considered free as secrets emerge.
- ShannonJane’s stepdaughter, briefly checks in and offers support after the revelations.