Chapter Fifty-Two
Contains spoilersOverview
Ash returned to work on January 2, relieved to be away from Nick Radcliffe, who had effectively moved into her home. She confided in Marcelline about Nick and her investigation, then discovered that the distinctive pink soap box linked to Nick matched one Marcelline once received. Tracing it to Marcelline’s ex, Jason Trevor, yielded only that it was likely a regift from his late mother, leaving the soap’s origin unresolved. Later, Ash received an email from Laura Drummond agreeing to meet in London and noting others had also contacted her about Justin/Nick.
Summary
On January 2, Ash returned to work and told Marcelline about Nick Radcliffe’s holiday visits, her Cambridge trip, the hairdresser’s warning that Nick might be a psychopath, and the unanswered email to Laura Drummond. Marcelline encouraged Ash to keep checking her email while working on sale tags.
While tagging items, Ash noticed the pink box of pens bore the same embossed rose as the pink soap box connected to Nick’s Christmas present. She asked Marcelline about the box and learned it originally contained soaps and had been a gift from Marcelline’s ex, Jason.
Ash quickly researched “Jason Trevor farrier Kent,” confirmed his identity with Marcelline, and called him. Jason admitted he likely regifted the soap set, saying it probably came from his mother, who had since died. He could not say where the soaps were purchased and asked Ash to pass on a hello to Marcelline without mentioning the regifting.
The unresolved origin of the pink soap box preoccupied Ash throughout the day as she searched online for Kent-area gift shops that might sell similar items, finding nothing. As she returned from lunch, she received a long-awaited email reply from Laura Drummond.
In the email, Laura apologized for the delay due to holiday travel, said Ash’s message was a surprise but not a shock, and revealed that Ash was not the first to contact her about “Justin/Nick/whatever his name is” that day. Laura proposed meeting in London on Wednesday to discuss further.
Who Appears
- Ash Swann
daughter of Nina; continued investigating Nick via the pink soap box lead and secured a meeting with Laura.
- Marcelline
Ash’s boss/colleague; provided the pink box clue and identified her ex who gifted it.
- Nick Radcliffe
present in Ash’s life and home; subject of Ash’s investigation; linked to the pink soap box.
- Jason Trevor
Marcelline’s ex, a farrier in Kent; admitted the soap gift was likely regifted from his late mother.
- Laura Drummond
Justin Warshaw’s ex-wife; replied to Ash, noted multiple inquiries about Justin/Nick, and proposed a London meeting.