Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Kingfisher
Paid publication
Book #4	Book 4
Chapter	9
Free publication
Date posted	May 31, 2025
Word count	32,600
Points of view	Cora, Melissa, Christine, Tabitha, Amy, Aunt Bea, Valérie, Steph, Monica, neutral point-of-view
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Chapter 45: Kingfisher is the ninth chapter of the fourth book of the series, and forty-fifth chapter overall. It is the penultimate chapter of Book Four.

The title comes from Cora likening her sudden attack to that of a kingfisher.

The chapter contains four flashbacks to 2008 and 2012, and 17 scenes covering nearly a week from Thursday 23 to Tuesday 28, January 2020.

Plot

In 2008, Philip reflects on disclosure a week ago

In the present day, Melissa meets Jenny, Russ drives off in a fury

Christine researches Jenny and Russ in the middle of a Peckinville meeting

Jenny invites a discombobulated Melissa in for tea, while she works out whether she needs to phone in the blatant opsec problem

Abby gets a call from Melissa, Tabby tells Dira to pull the trigger

Jenny finally learns Melissa’s name discussing her reappearance

Tabitha collects Melissa and contacts Russ, who wants nothing to do with Melissa

Again in 2008, Interview discussing the washout Philip with his handler, Haley

In the present, Amy arrives at Dorley to see Bea

Melissa, locked in on the first floor, reflects on being poisoned and dying inside

Bea reassures Melissa upon moving her out of the Hall

Valérie is taken to meet Elle to discuss using her as bait

Later in 2008, Philip meets her handler, is told she is now Cora, and is shown a potential assignment

Again in the modern day, Maria fills in sponsors about a lengthy meeting

Breakfast in the basement, Christine farewells Steph

In 2012, Cora makes a mess on the pavement. Not that sort of mess

Melissa walks from work to her new home

Cora infiltrates Silver River in Florida

Steph and Beth get a wake-up call, and Beth has trouble keeping track of days

Christine signs her trans NPH

Steph is called to a meeting with Aunt Bea where she is told she must leave Dorley

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All books: Overview, Welcome to Dorley Hall, Secrets of Dorley Hall, Enemies of Dorley Hall, Book 4

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