His Bloody Project: A Historical Thriller

In the present, Roderick describes a recent visit from Thomson, a criminologist, whom Sinclair has invited to examine Roderick. Thomson seems unimpressed by Roderick, whom he describes as being of a “low physical type” (113). He attempts to ask Roderick some questions, but Roderick is unable to focus on them, which causes the criminologist to depart without saying goodbye.

Returning to his narrative, Roderick recounts the days after the festival, during which he and his family barely speak. He flirts with the idea of leaving Culduie for good and one day sets off on the road toward Applecross, intending to continue to a larger city elsewhere. On his way he meets Archibald, who offers to lend him a pony after Roderick lies and tells him he is running an errand for his father in another town. However, after getting a ways out of town, he is stricken with guilt for leaving Jetta behind, and so returns the pony and walks home.

He arrives home to find Reverend Gailbraith and his father seated together, reviewing a notice of eviction stating that the Macraes must vacate their croft following the upcoming harvest. The reverend departs, and John turns his anger toward Jetta, saying that their misfortune is divine retribution for her pregnancy. He viciously beats her, bashing her face against the kitchen table and demanding to know who the father is. Although Jetta remains silent, Roderick intervenes and tells his father that Lachlan Mackenzie is responsible. This causes John to release Jetta, who flees to their barn. Roderick follows her, and she tells him not to worry about her but to focus on his future. Roderick blames Lachlan Mackenzie, and Jetta confides that she has seen visions indicating he will die soon. Roderick leaves the barn and wanders the town, and he is struck by the idea that he might be destined to kill Lachlan Mackenzie.