Written On The Body

Returning to London, the narrator reflects further on having abandoned Louise and feels frightened that her declaration that “I will never let you go” (163) may be a form of revenge. At their flat, the narrator finds physical evidence of Louise’s past presence: “clothes, books, the coffee she liked” (163). While dusting, the narrator finds letters addressed to Louise after their departure. The letters contain the results of a second medical opinion and states that Louise is asymptomatic and should not undergo treatment. Another letter from Elgin refutes this claim and mandates immediate treatment at his Swiss clinic.

The narrator visits Louise’s mother and grandmother in an effort to find out Louise’s location. Louise had told her mother that “she never wanted to see” (166) the narrator again; having negotiated an extremely lucrative divorce settlement with Elgin, Louise may now be living abroad.

The narrator arrives at Elgin’s address just as the doctor is exiting his car in the company of an attractive woman. The narrator follows the pair into the house and demands to know Louise’s whereabouts. Elgin reveals that he and Louise are divorced and directs his companion to call the police.