Summary

In Chapter 26, Strike first scopes out Liz Tassel's house, which turns out to be another red brick Victorian house, “drab and dingy” (267). The taxi then takes him to the Waldgrave's townhouse in Kensington. Meanwhile, Anstis calls to complain about Strike's presence near the scene of the crime and mentions that he is increasingly confident that Leonora did it. The call from Anstis prompts Strike to phone Leonora and remind her to get a lawyer. He recommends his longtime friend, Ilsa Herbert. Strike tells Robin that the police are searching Leonora's entire house, looking for bloody clothing.

Still in pain on account of his swollen knee and the freezing cold, Strike finds a cozy pub. As soon as he arranges to see Chard at his Devon residence on Friday, he invites Robin to join him for lunch. There the two compare notes on their...