Stone Maidens

Content Warning: This section of the novel contains depictions of violence and gore.

Sheriff McFaron flies to Chicago to visit Prusik, who convinces him to help her investigate the condemned tenement buildings where Donald Holmquist once lived with his mother. They find evidence that someone has been at the apartment recently, including urine-soaked mattresses and large jars filled with something dark (implied to be human remains). They also find a photo of two young boys, whom Prusik identifies as Donald Holmquist and David Claremont. Prusik calls Thorne to report her new theory that Holmquist is the killer, but Thorne shuts her down, insisting that she focus on forensic evidence to pin the murders on Claremont.

Frustrated, Prusik decides to go above Thorne’s head to pursue the Holmquist lead. She calls the lead prosecutor in Weaversville and demands Claremont’s release, claiming that the FBI will take full responsibility for the fallout. Prusik explains that she believes Holmquist is watching the news and will attempt to contact his brother if he is freed. The prosecutor reluctantly agrees to the plan. However, Sheriff McFaron, horrified that Prusik would lie to her boss and break the chain of command in this way, decides to fly back to Indiana rather than support her.