Career of Evil

Robin suggests that the killer sent the severed leg because Strike’s missing leg is tied up with the public’s perception of him as a celebrated war hero. Jealous of Strike’s fame, the killer wants to taint that image. Strike observes that this makes Whittaker a prime suspect, as he craved fame above everything else.

Strike and Robin book separate rooms at a Travelodge. Both are conscious of each other’s proximity. The next day, they travel to Market Harborough, where Strike visits Brockbank’s last known workplace, a Thai massage parlor. One of the women reveals that Brockbank was obsessed with Strike, blaming him for his brain injury. Brockbank also frequently ranted about how his ex-wife took his son away from him. The massage parlor’s owner sacked Brockbank when she discovered him molesting her six-year-old granddaughter. Strike leaves with Brockbank’s cell phone number.

Wardle calls Strike, revealing that the dead woman has been identified as 16-year-old Kelsey Platt, the girl who wrote to Strike about removing her leg. Kelsey lived with her half-sister, Hazel Furley. However, the missing Oxana allowed Kelsey to stay in her empty apartment while she was in Ukraine.