Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
Chris reflects on their failed Connie Johnson stakeout while pushing himself at the gym, motivated by his new relationship with Patrice. Donna calls with urgent news: Ibrahim has been violently mugged. Chris drops everything and races to the hospital, turning their investigation into a personal crisis.
Summary
DCI Chris Hudson mulls over Connie Johnson’s audacious confidence and the futility of their recent stakeout, realizing they will need a far cleverer plan to catch her. Meanwhile, he pedals an exercise bike at the gym, self-conscious among fitter colleagues and acutely aware of DI Terry Hallet’s display of strength nearby.
Chris’s motivation is clear: his budding relationship with Patrice. Wanting to look and feel better, he pushes himself, even as he avoids the bike’s alarming heart-rate and dispiriting calorie readouts. He distracts himself with an antiques show and the gym clock, counting down the minutes.
His phone rings—Donna. Expecting a Connie lead, Chris answers. Donna reports a “nasty” mugging and, when Chris asks why him, she reveals the victim is Ibrahim. The news snaps Chris into action; he abandons the bike mid-workout and runs from the gym.
The chapter closes with Chris sprinting to the hospital, the team’s focus pivoting from strategizing against Connie Johnson to responding to a sudden, personal emergency involving Ibrahim.
Who Appears
- Chris HudsonDCI at the gym, motivated by Patrice; receives Donna’s call about Ibrahim’s mugging and rushes to the hospital.
- Donna De FreitasDetective who urgently informs Chris about Ibrahim’s mugging, prompting immediate action.
- Ibrahim ArifVictim of a violent mugging; hospitalized, triggering the chapter’s crisis.
- PatriceChris’s new partner; her presence motivates his fitness efforts.
- Terry HalletChris’s DI, seen doing pull-ups at the gym, highlighting Chris’s insecurities.
- Connie JohnsonDrug dealer under surveillance; her confidence contrasts with the team’s failed stakeout.