Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 69
Overview
Elizabeth reveals the group holds the diamonds and proposes a public sting to flush out Poppy. Ron suggests folding Connie Johnson into the setup so Chris and Donna can make it their case, enabling police and MI5 arrests. They choose the pier office, schedule Monday, and assign roles, though Ibrahim declines to drive and Joyce keeps a secret task.
Summary
Chris attends the Club’s meeting, distracted by fear over Connie Johnson and concern for Patrice. Elizabeth announces they possess the £20 million diamonds, and intends to inform MI5 only after forming a plan. She asks Chris and Donna to keep watch during a proposed meeting with the mafia to draw Poppy out.
Chris and Donna initially refuse, since none of it is their case and Elizabeth has not decided what to do with the diamonds during the meet. The room stalls until Ron proposes involving Connie Johnson, turning the event into a police drugs case that Chris and Donna can legitimately attend.
Ron outlines a cover: he and Bogdan will pose as a London gang brokering a diamond deal with the mafia, inviting Connie to join. Chris and Donna agree this would trigger a lawful police response. Elizabeth expands the plan: assemble Frank Andrade, Lance, and Martin Lomax on Monday, with Sue monitoring, expecting Poppy to hover nearby.
They select the manager’s office at the end of the pier for its controllable exits. Elizabeth assigns roles. Ibrahim declines to drive to Farnborough due to injuries, despite Donna’s gentle challenge. Joyce hints at a secret task and invites Ron and Donna to see the diamonds, confirming the bait is real.
Who Appears
- ElizabethReveals the diamonds, devises a sting to lure Poppy and the mafia, assigns roles, sets Monday meet.
- Chris HudsonReluctant to engage until Ron’s plan makes it a Connie Johnson case he and Donna can police.
- Ron RitchieProposes involving Connie Johnson and posing as a London gang; suggests Bogdan accompany him.
- Donna De FreitasInitially refuses; agrees once it’s a Connie case. Suggests the pier office venue and views the diamonds.
- Joyce MeadowcroftConfirms the diamonds’ location, supports the sting, keeps a secret task, invites others to see the diamonds.
- Ibrahim ArifBacks Elizabeth’s planning but declines driving duty due to injuries, despite encouragement.
- Bogdan JankowskiTapped to pose as muscle alongside Ron to sell the London gang cover.
- Connie JohnsonTargeted drug dealer; to be lured into the fake diamond deal, making it a police matter.
- PoppyExpected to track the diamonds and appear near the meeting; primary quarry of the sting.
- Sue ReardonMI5 contact who will monitor the meeting from a surveillance truck.
- Martin LomaxBroker linked to the diamonds; to be brought to the meeting for coordinated arrests.
- Frank AndradeMafia representative to be collected and drawn into the staged meeting.
- LanceMI5 operative expected to bring Lomax to the sting and coordinate with Sue.