Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 73
Overview
Donna and Chris surveil Fairhaven pier as all players converge before the 3 p.m. sting. Connie Johnson arrives with a holdall presumed to contain cocaine, Martin Lomax arrives with MI5’s Lance, and Frank Andrade Jr is delivered by taxi. Bogdan escorts Connie and then leads Frank, while Elizabeth and Joyce join an on-site van, positioning both Kent Police and MI5 for their coordinated operations.
Summary
Donna and Chris stake out the Fairhaven pier from a side street, watching the entrance with a clear view of the sea. Connie Johnson arrives first in a Range Rover, carrying a large holdall that Donna hopes contains the cocaine needed for an arrest. Bogdan appears unexpectedly and walks with Connie up the pier, carrying her bag.
A black Lotus pulls in with Martin Lomax and MI5’s Lance James, who head onto the pier. A taxi marked Robertsbridge Taxis arrives next; the driver hands Frank Andrade Jr a briefcase as Frank steps out. Donna and Chris note that MI5 will handle Lomax and Frank, while Kent Police will handle Connie (and Ryan if he appears), per Elizabeth’s arrangement.
Elizabeth and Joyce emerge from the taxi’s back seats but do not greet Frank. Bogdan signals Frank to follow, and, after Elizabeth’s confirming nod, leads him up the pier. Donna, amused by Joyce’s wave, reflects on everyone’s roles as the operation aligns.
Elizabeth and Joyce then approach a taped-off white van labeled “T. H. Hargreaves – Railings,” step over the tape, and climb inside when the back doors open. As the clock nears three, all sides are in position: Connie with her holdall, Lomax with MI5 oversight, Frank under Bogdan’s guidance, and Elizabeth and Joyce coordinating from the van, ready for the sting’s next move.
Who Appears
- DonnaKent Police officer surveilling the pier, coordinating the arrest plan and observing all arrivals.
- Chris HudsonDonna’s policing partner; confirms IDs, tracks timings, and prepares for the sting.
- Connie JohnsonArrives with a holdall presumed to contain cocaine; target for Kent Police.
- BogdanAppears on the pier, carries Connie’s bag, then leads Frank Andrade Jr toward the meet.
- Martin LomaxArrives with Lance; subject of MI5 interest tied to the diamond plot.
- Lance JamesMI5 officer accompanying Lomax; part of the parallel intelligence operation.
- Frank Andrade JrDelivered by taxi with a briefcase; follows Bogdan onto the pier on Elizabeth’s nod.
- ElizabethOrchestrates the joint operation; arrives with Joyce and enters a nearby van to coordinate.
- JoyceArrives with Elizabeth; joins her in the taped-off van, visibly friendly and conspicuous.