The Hallmarked Man

Robin discovers that she has been identified online as Witness G. Strike has one more meeting with Robin planned before the Christmas holidays and again considers declaring his feelings. Pat warns him that Culpepper has written another piece about him. Culpepper quotes a sex worker named Candy who alleges that Strike coerced her into sleeping with him after he hired her to entrap a target. The article’s content is fabricated and concludes with another quotation from Lord Oliver Branfoot, who criticizes private detectives’ tactics.

When Robin arrives at the office, Strike assures her that Candy does not exist. He also explains that Nina has a grudge against him, as he did not want to pursue their relationship after he slept with her. Robin instructs Strike to call another journalist, Fergus Robertson, and release an official denial of Culpepper’s claims.

Strike tells Robin his suspicion that Jim Todd knew the delivery driver, Larry McGee. He points out that, as Pamela’s eyesight is failing, the identification of Wright as Jason Knowles rests on Todd’s trustworthiness. Robin shows Strike an article reporting the rape and murder of a young Spanish woman named Sofia Medina on Sunday, June 19. As a student, Medina funded her education by posting content on OnlyFans.