Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 74
Overview
Elizabeth’s trap uses only two diamonds, provoking a standoff: Frank Andrade shoots Martin Lomax, and Connie Johnson kills Andrade. Bogdan lets Connie run, but Chris and Donna arrest her at the pier car. Lance kills the office cameras. Elizabeth concludes Poppy is already dead and anticipates returning with the killer.
Summary
In the pier office, Connie Johnson presents a velvet bag containing only two diamonds to Frank Andrade Jr, while Martin Lomax, Lance James, and Bogdan look on. Elizabeth, Joyce, and Sue Reardon monitor via hidden cameras in a van. Elizabeth admits she supplied just two stones to force the culprit’s hand.
When Andrade demands the rest, he draws a gun; Lance counters, and Connie produces a gun instead of cocaine. Connie names “Vic Vincent” as the source of the handover and the supposed cocaine deal. Tension peaks as Andrade, suspecting a setup, shoots Lomax. Connie immediately shoots Andrade, killing him.
With two bodies on the floor and guns still raised, Bogdan steps between Connie and Lance, telling Connie to take her bag and go. Outside, special forces hold position per orders, allowing Connie to reach her car. She sprints to a Range Rover and is arrested by DCI Chris Hudson and Donna De Freitas; Ryan Baird is already cuffed inside.
Ron Ritchie arrives, taunts Ryan to remember Ibrahim Arif’s name, and trades threats with Connie. Bogdan ushers Ron away. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Joyce remain in the van; Joyce watches Lance methodically disable each camera. Elizabeth tells Joyce she has deduced Poppy is already dead and expects, after a short wait, to return to Godalming in a coroner’s van with the killer.
A brief interlude shows Ibrahim FaceTiming with Kendrick, processing news of the shootings and finding solace in their conversation, while the others brace for the night’s aftermath.
Who Appears
- Connie JohnsonCrime boss who brings two diamonds, shoots Frank Andrade, flees, then is arrested with a bag of cocaine.
- Frank Andrade JrMafia-linked buyer who pulls a gun, shoots Martin Lomax, and is then shot dead by Connie.
- Martin LomaxWealthy fixer confronted in the meet; shot in the chest by Andrade and dies.
- BogdanTakes charge at the meet, defuses the standoff enough for Connie to escape, then departs with Ron.
- Lance JamesArmed presence in the office; observes the cross-aim standoff and later disables all hidden cameras.
- ElizabethOrchestrates the sting, withholds most diamonds, monitors events, and concludes Poppy is already dead.
- Sue ReardonLeads the surveillance team; reacts to the shootings and questions Elizabeth’s risky plan.
- JoyceMonitors the feed with Elizabeth, reflects on the killings, and notes Elizabeth’s calculated ruthlessness.
- Donna De FreitasDrives the Range Rover stakeout and helps arrest Connie at the pier.
- DCI Chris HudsonArrests Connie in the Range Rover and confirms murder and cocaine charges.
- Ron RitchieConfronts Ryan Baird, defends Ibrahim’s honor, and trades barbs with Connie.
- Ryan BairdHandcuffed in the car, weeps as Ron warns him to remember Ibrahim Arif.
- Ibrahim ArifAt home recovering; FaceTimes with Kendrick, processing events and pain.
- KendrickChats with Ibrahim over FaceTime, offering light distraction during recovery.