Summary

Chapter 17 is written from Matthew Venn’s third-person perspective. Matthew returns to the police station and briefs his team on Christine’s disappearance. He volunteers to talk to Dennis and Grace. He is about to leave when Oldham calls him into his office. Oldham knows about the Woodyard and that Jonathan runs it. Matthew suggests that he withdraw from the case, but Oldham tells him to stay on it, keep him up to date, and not mess it up.

Afterwards, Matthew goes to talk to Grace and Dennis. Dennis greets him, but tries to deter Matthew from talking to Grace. He says that it will make her sick. His comment makes Matthew remember Grace’s history. Matthew insists on talking to Grace and Dennis goes to get her. During Dennis’s absence, Matthew thinks about how the members of the Brethren are getting...