Chapter 8 Summary

At midnight chimes, Kay reflects on the situation. Sterling is too weak to have killed Beryl and Cary and may also be a target. Kay's .38 is at home and there is too much snow for the police to stake out the house. Kay thinks about her warm house and queen-sized bed but claims to be comfortable in the drafty Harper house. Sterling insists she sleep upstairs. On the way, she says finding and punishing the killer is unimportant, as it will not bring Beryl back. Kay understands her loneliness and promises to visit in the spring.

Sterling shows Kay to the guest room, and Kay goes to bed but is frightened by noises, and follows Sterling downstairs. She finds her in front of the fire, cheeks covered with tears and with no pulse. Resuscitation fails and Kay sits, stunned, watching the embers and...