Contents
Chapter Fifteen
Overview
Jane traces the DB hoodie logo to Waterside Academy in Islington, near Hampstead, strengthening her belief that Rose White is tied to Hugo Tucker. After students deny knowing Rose, Jane reflects on her strengths and failures, then commits to pursue answers directly from Mr. Tucker.
The lead narrows the search, sharpens Jane’s resolve, and points the investigation back to the Vale of Health.
Summary
Back at Rosebery, Jane reverse-image-searches the school logo on the hoodie and identifies it as Waterside Academy in Islington, close to Hampstead. The proximity heightens her suspicion that the sweatshirt could be Rose White’s despite the “DB” label. Jane concludes that Hugo Tucker lied and that Rose, possibly his stepdaughter, fled a domestic crisis, abandoning the dog in the process.
Jane travels early to Waterside Academy and questions students at the gates. None recognize the name Rose White, though one suggests asking the head of sixth form with a name starting “Wen…”. With no confirmation from the school community, Jane leaves deflated.
In a café on Upper Street, Jane resists the impulse to abandon the search. She reflects on her tumultuous past, moments of instability, and mixed impact on relationships, but also recognizes her gift for eliciting confidences and building trust—skills essential to investigation.
Resolving to use what she’s good at, Jane decides the most direct route is to confront Hugo Tucker. She gathers her things and heads back toward the Vale of Health to press him for the truth about Rose White.
Who Appears
- JaneProtagonist; identifies the hoodie’s school as Waterside Academy, fails to find Rose there, reflects on her life, decides to confront Mr. Tucker.
- Hugo Tucker (Mr. Tucker)Suspected of lying about Rose; Jane believes he’s linked to Rose’s flight and plans to question him.
- Rose WhiteMissing young woman; possibly connected to the Waterside Academy hoodie and to Hugo Tucker.