Chapter 18

Summary

• Hazel meets with Chief Inspector Aiden Davies at the Thames Valley Police Department in March 1960, concerning her sister Flora's disappearance years ago.
• Aiden, who had previously given up on Flora's case, shows a resigned attitude but is willing to listen to Hazel's new evidence – a fairy tale that could shed light on the case.
• Hazel is looking for four nurses who were unable to be located earlier, believing they might have heard a crucial story connected to her sister's disappearance.
• Inspector Davies recalls the nurses from the past and indicates that they were checked thoroughly at that time with no suspicious findings.
• Hazel insists on getting their names and contact information, which Aiden eventually provides from old files.
• Aiden agrees to help Hazel discreetly, despite regularly communicating with journalist Dorothy Bellamy who also shows an interest in Flora's case.
• Hazel pleads with Aiden to keep the new information confidential, wanting to avoid the case getting more public attention and affecting her mother.
• Returning to London, Hazel's journey reflects her weary state as she feels entangled between her past and the prospect of planning a future trip to Paris with Barnaby.
• Arriving disheveled and contemplating her other relationships, she sees an unsettling painting of the Pied Piper, which oddly confirms to her that she is on the right path with her investigations.
• Hazel has a brief, silent exchange with her brother Tenny, which softens her previous harsh judgement of him and her family.
• Despite being late and underdressed, Hazel meets with Barnaby for dinner, who senses something is amiss and begins to feel the strain Hazel’s past is having on their future together.
• The chapter concludes with a vulnerable and intimate moment between Hazel and Barnaby in bed, where Barnaby offers to finance a book project but Hazel insists on maintaining her independence.