Chapter 112

Elizabeth visits Penny at Willows at night, with Penny’s bedside lamp dimmed and Penny’s hand in Elizabeth’s. Speaking to her old friend, Elizabeth reflects on who has and has not escaped justice: Tony Curran was murdered, Elizabeth suspects there may be more to the accepted explanation, and Ian Ventham’s death will have to be answered for.

Elizabeth says John must pay for killing Ventham. She plans to take the police to John in the morning, but expects they will find John dead after he goes home and takes a final nightcap, using his knowledge to make the end peaceful.

Elizabeth then turns to Penny’s own crime. Elizabeth acknowledges that Penny killed Peter Mercer to deliver the justice Penny believed Annie Madeley had been denied, but Elizabeth refuses to endorse the act. Elizabeth frames Penny’s fate as morally ambiguous: if Penny can hear her, then knowing John has gone to die because he tried to protect her is punishment enough; if Penny cannot hear, then Penny has escaped accountability.

Before leaving, Elizabeth reveals that she saw the syringe John used while holding Penny and understands that Penny, too, is dying. Elizabeth says goodbye, admits that Stephen is declining and that Elizabeth also keeps secrets, kisses Penny, and leaves Willows into a dark, quiet night.