Summary

In Chapter 15, Zoe and Mariana are walking together when they encounter Edward. He wants Zoe to know what he told police. He says Tara was failing and that she had become hysterical when he gave her the option to repeat the previous year's work. Mariana finds him “entirely convincing” with no signs of lying. Edward seems to believe Conrad is guilty. He wants to be sure he and Zoe are alright. He encourages her to “Look after yourself.”

In Chapter 16, police have arrested Conrad. Julian allows Mariana to go with him to evaluate Conrad, who cries and swears he did not hurt Tara. Conrad says Zoe was kind to him, unlike the rest of Tara's friends. He calls them “witches.” Mariana believes Conrad is innocent but Julian – who cites his experience with killers – says it is an act. Julian asks to...