Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
Elizabeth, Joyce, and Ron confront Martin Lomax at his open garden. Lomax admits the diamonds were real, stolen by Douglas, and that he sent Andrew Hastings, but denies killing Douglas or Poppy. He threatens to kill the trio if they withhold the diamonds. Elizabeth believes his denial and summons Sue Reardon to test a new theory.
Summary
Returning from Hambledon, Joyce recounts how she, Elizabeth, and Ron attend Martin Lomax’s open garden. Elizabeth swiftly corners Lomax with flattery and direct questions, forcing him to drop pretense when she mentions Douglas and Poppy’s shootings. Ron needles him about his wealth, and Joyce disarms him by referencing Poppy and Andrew Hastings.
Pressed, Martin Lomax admits the diamonds were real, stolen by Douglas, and that he sent Andrew Hastings to Coopers Chase only to scare Douglas into revealing their location. Poppy’s intervention and Andrew’s death left Lomax without answers. He claims MI5 moved Douglas and Poppy and then went silent.
When asked, Lomax says he doesn’t know where the diamonds are and fears he’ll be killed if they aren’t found. He denies killing Douglas or Poppy. Elizabeth offers cautious cooperation, trading updates if either side learns anything. Joyce sells him a charity bracelet, receiving a meager cheque.
Lomax then drops his charm, threatening to kill them—starting with Ron—if they find or even suspect the diamonds’ location without telling him. After they leave, Elizabeth tells Joyce she believes Lomax’s denial; liars sound unconvincing when truthful. She invites Sue Reardon to the village to test her emerging theory about the murders.
Who Appears
- JoyceNarrator; accompanies Elizabeth and Ron, prompts Lomax’s honesty, and observes dynamics and threats.
- ElizabethLeads the confrontation; extracts Lomax’s admissions, proposes cautious cooperation, believes his denial, invites Sue.
- Martin LomaxCrime-linked host; admits sending Andrew and confirms diamond theft; denies killings; threatens to kill the trio.
- RonBacks Elizabeth, pressures Lomax with blunt questions, becomes first target of Lomax’s threats.
- BogdanDrives the group and waits nearby; peripheral presence during the garden confrontation.