Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 19
Overview
Ron vents at being excluded from the shooting scene, but Elizabeth explains her operational choices and calms him. She rewards Ron’s loyalty to Ibrahim by giving him Ryan Baird’s dossier and assigning him the pursuit. Elizabeth ends their babysitting of Douglas and Poppy, plans a step with Bogdan, and the diamond hunt continues.
Summary
In Elizabeth’s flat, Ron fumes after inspecting the bloodstain and bullet hole, angry that Elizabeth called Joyce—not him—when a gunman was shot. Elizabeth lets Ron vent, then explains she chose Joyce for her nursing experience during an MI5-critical scene with a traumatized Poppy and a barely safe Douglas.
Shifting focus, Elizabeth produces a buff folder and offers Ron a task as recognition for standing by Ibrahim after the mugging. The file contains Ryan Baird’s address and phone, and Elizabeth assigns Ron to pursue Ryan. She notes she will speak to Bogdan and then brief Ron with instructions.
They discuss fallout from the shooting: Elizabeth expects Poppy to be questioned and cleared, and Douglas to be moved and debriefed, with their “babysitting” role now over. Ron suggests Elizabeth avoided introducing him to Douglas; Elizabeth deflects. The trio confirm they will still search for the missing diamonds.
The scene closes with domestic calm as Joyce serves herbal tea and asks their preference, underscoring the group’s renewed focus: Ron will go after Ryan, Elizabeth will coordinate with Bogdan, and the Club remains committed to the broader diamond and Lomax threads.
Who Appears
- Ron RitchieAngry at being excluded from the shooting scene; accepts a mission to go after Ryan Baird using a provided dossier.
- Elizabeth BestJustifies calling Joyce over Ron, hands Ron Ryan Baird’s file, ends babysitting duty, and plans to coordinate with Bogdan.
- Joyce MeadowcroftSupportive and practical; confirms Douglas is handsome, serves tea, and observes Elizabeth’s plan for Ron.
- PoppyOffstage; expected to be cleared after shooting the attacker. Source of Ryan Baird’s information for Ron.
- Douglas MiddlemissOffstage MI5 ex-husband; moved after the shooting, to be questioned. Babysitting him is over.
- Ryan BairdTarget of Ron’s upcoming pursuit; dossier includes his address and phone number.
- Bogdan JankowskiTo be consulted by Elizabeth before briefing Ron on next steps.
- Ibrahim ArifOffstage; Ron is rewarded for steadfastly supporting him after Ryan’s mugging.