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Chapters (206)
  1. Praise for Maplecroft
  2. Title page
  3. Copyright page
  4. Contents
  5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  6. THESE ARE THE THINGS AN EARTHQUAKE BRINGS
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  12. A DOCTOR, A LAWYER, A MERCHANT, A CHIEF
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  20. Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
  21. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  26. BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT
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  29. I CROSS THE MAGPIE, THE MAGPIE CROSSES ME
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  31. Nance O’Neil
  32. THIS KNOT I KNIT, THIS KNOT I TIE
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  37. AND IF YOU HAVE A HORSE WITH ONE WHITE LEG . . .
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  43. THE WORST IS TO BE JUDGED WITHOUT HOPE
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  46. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  53. BUT NETTLE SHANT HAVE NOTHING
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  55. CUT THEM ON FRIDAY, YOU CUT THEM FOR SORROW
  56. Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
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  62. HAPPY IS THE CORPSE THAT THE RAIN SHINES ON
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  67. A DWELLING PLACE OF JACKALS, THE DESOLATION FOREVER
  68. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  71. Nance O’Neil
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  84. Emma L. Borden
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  88. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  91. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  93. RIGHT CHEEK, LEFT CHEEK—WHY DO YOU BURN?
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  101. Aaron B. Stewart, Fire Chief, Farthington, Mass.
  102. Emma L. Borden
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  104. Gerald Macintyre, Telegraph Clerk, Western Union
  105. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  107. Physalia, Z. University I Was Not Now
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  109. DEPART, ALL ANIMALS WITHOUT BONES
  110. Emma L. Borden
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  115. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  119. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  130. Owen Seabury, M.D.
  131. Phillip Zollicoffer. Physalia Zollicoffris.
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  137. Christoff Dane, M.D., Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, Kingston
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  139. Emma L. Borden
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  144. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  150. Emma L. Borden
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  153. FAMILY SLAIN IN MAYFIELD
  154. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  165. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  176. Emma L. Borden
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  186. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  197. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  205. Inspector Simon Wolf
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I don’t know him by name or reputation, but he’s called “Wolf,” and his interest in the case is very keen. If you’re the man who sent for him, you ought to say so. The town sheriff swears he didn’t make the request, and if he didn’t, and I didn’t, then I assume it must’ve been you—unless the adjuster has some special interest in learning about the bones.

Maybe it’s that simple after all. Do you think he’s afraid there might be a lawsuit?

Never mind. Come and see me, and I’ll tell you the rest. Or don’t, and wait for the inspector’s report. I’ll accommodate the man as best I’m able, but if there’s anything in particular you’d like me to convey or withhold, it’d be helpful to know about it before he arrives.

This case has left me with a terrible taste in my mouth. Something is very strange about it, and something is untoward. I’m confident of that. But whatever strangeness or failings may be deduced from the matter, I’ll not see my department’s actions or officers thrown into the mud over it. We did the best we could, with the tools we had at our disposal. Asking any more of us is wholly unfair and unreasonable.

I hope that your previous correspondence came at the behest of the commissioner, and not from any private concerns. I thought you knew us better than that.

Yours,

Aaron S.

Emma L. Borden

APRIL 25, 1894

He knows.

I cannot say that he knows everything, for honestly, who does? But he knows enough to either help us or see us in jail. So now we must hope for the best.

I’d be lying if I swore it wasn’t some kind of relief, as if whatever burden Lizzie and I have borne is now cut by a third. Three sets of shoulders to carry it will make the load lighter for all, won’t it? Or maybe it’s all in my head. From another angle, it’s now three who suffer—rather than two. I don’t care.

Is that awful? Fine, then. I’m awful.

But he knows, and I’m glad. He’s confused, frightened, appalled, and outraged, which only means that he’s a good, sane man. Any other reaction would’ve worried me.

He’s seen the creatures now. Firsthand. He’s even been injured by one, though slightly; and now he knows that we’ve constructed our falsehoods of pure motives, and have only sought to understand the nature of what we’re up against, using the best tools we could arrange. So he’s passed that first test and not gone mad.