Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Ron infiltrates Ryan Baird’s flat disguised as a plumber and plants cocaine and Ibrahim’s stolen bank card in the toilet cistern. He then anonymously alerts PC Donna De Freitas, engineering police entry. This sets up Ryan for a raid and potential arrest, advancing Ibrahim’s justice and the Club’s plan.
Summary
Ron arrives at Ryan Baird’s flat dressed as a plumber, gaining easy access when Ryan, distracted by a video game and shirtless, lets him in without question. Ron suppresses his urge to attack Ryan, choosing Elizabeth’s strategic approach instead to serve the larger plan.
In the bathroom, Ron hides a brown package—£10,000 worth of cocaine—deep in the toilet cistern, then also places Ibrahim’s missing debit card inside. He reassembles the cistern and leaves the flat, satisfied that the evidence will point police directly to Ryan.
Outside, Ron uses a burner phone to call PC Donna De Freitas, posing as “Jonathan Ovaltine.” He claims to be a plumber who heard screams at flat 18, Hazeldene Gardens, prompting Donna to commit to responding and to bring Chris. Ron ends the call, confident the raid will follow.
With the setup complete, Ron departs the estate whistling, planning a celebratory pint and expecting Elizabeth’s approval as the scheme to incriminate Ryan and secure justice for Ibrahim moves forward.
Who Appears
- Ron RitchieDisguises as a plumber, plants cocaine and Ibrahim’s debit card in Ryan’s cistern, then tips police anonymously.
- Ryan BairdTeenager who mugged Ibrahim; unwittingly lets Ron in and is set up for a police raid.
- PC Donna De FreitasReceives Ron’s anonymous tip and prepares to respond to the alleged disturbance.
- ChrisPolice colleague Donna is asked to bring along for the raid.
- Ibrahim ArifVictim of Ryan’s mugging; his stolen debit card is planted to implicate Ryan.