Chapters 13 - 18 Summary

In Chapter 13, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is at home with her mother in Acton. Mrs. Gustafson has been caring for Mrs. Havers, but when Mrs. Havers becomes disoriented and insists on leaving the house, Mrs. Gustafson deters Barbara's mother by making Mrs. Havers believe that the vacuum cleaner hose is a snake. Barbara remains conflicted about how best to care for her mother. Mrs. Havers is lucid for a short while after Barbara returns home, but the dementia eventually takes over again. Barbara Havers feels guilty and resentful at the same time.

In Chapter 14, Lynley and Havers pay a visit to Lennart Thorsson at home. They are there to question Thorsson about his recent comings and goings. Thorsson admits to seeing Elena Weaver the night before she died. Thorsson claims to have met with an undergraduate the following morning to return...