John Ducane

Ducane is forty-three and has round blue eyes, a hooknose, and is starting to get gray hair. He visits the Trescombe estate from time to time, although he lives in London. He is an attorney and the legal advisor to the government department that Octavian heads. He appears in the novel as an intelligent, thoughtful man, although he is somewhat tormented by the events that are going on. He seems to dislike confrontation and at times passively accepts the situations with Jessica and Kate.

Octavian and the Prime Minister ask Ducane to head up the inquiry into Radeechy's death. Ducane learns about McGrath's involvement in bringing Radeechy items for his rituals in the vault. He also learns that Biranne was involved with Radeechy's wife and was present when Radeechy pushed her out the window, killing her. McGrath tries to blackmail him by threatening to send letters to...