Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 66
Overview
MI5 formalizes protection for Martin Lomax as mob boss Frank Andrade prepares to land in the UK. Sue Reardon assigns Lance James to lead a team, likely SBS, for the expected hit. Lance reflects on his past and ambitions but doubts MI5 can save Lomax, foreseeing Lomax’s death and the diamonds remaining lost.
Summary
Martin Lomax bluntly states the mafia will kill him, and Sue Reardon confirms MI5’s task is to protect him. Lance James, who now visits daily, trades Wi‑Fi access for SBS stories while informally minding Lomax. Their uneasy routine underscores Lomax’s fatalism and MI5’s urgency.
Sue reveals that Frank Andrade will land at Farnborough on Monday, likely heading straight for Lomax. Lance provides the exact arrival time and predicts traffic, marking how precise their planning is—and how inevitable the confrontation feels.
Sue commits a team to Lomax’s house, commanded by Lance. Though coy about units, Lance confirms it will be SBS-level capability. He views the operation as a chance to prove himself to MI5’s establishment and advance beyond being seen as muscle.
Lomax presses MI5 to find the diamonds to avert the threat; Sue claims confidence, while Lance is skeptical. Lance believes Elizabeth Best is the only real hope to locate them, yet concludes Lomax will never see the diamonds again. As Andrade’s arrival looms, Lance privately decides that, despite the protection plan, Lomax is a dead man.
Who Appears
- Lance JamesEx‑SBS now with MI5; leads the protection team for Lomax; ambitious but fatalistic about Lomax’s chances.
- Martin LomaxDiamond owner fearing mafia retaliation; skeptical and resigned to being killed despite MI5 protection.
- Sue ReardonMI5 handler; outlines plan to protect Lomax and assigns Lance to command the team.
- Frank AndradeMob boss due to land in the UK; implied imminent threat to Lomax.