Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 20
Overview
Bogdan notices covert surveillance at Ruskin Court and challenges Elizabeth, who deflects. Later, Elizabeth recruits Bogdan to procure £10,000 of wholesale cocaine by tomorrow, signaling a bold new tactic. Bogdan agrees and lines up a supplier, while Stephen’s sharp chess move underscores his lingering acuity despite decline.
Summary
Bogdan heads to the Hillcrest building site but pauses at Coopers Chase’s shop, where he notices a stranger exit a van marked “F. Walker Roofing” and use a key to enter Ruskin Court. The Daily Telegraph in the cab and the man’s gloves suggest covert surveillance. Moments later, Elizabeth, Ron, and Joyce leave Ruskin, and Elizabeth hurriedly steers Bogdan away, denying any knowledge.
Suspicious, Bogdan questions the timing and the gloved man. Elizabeth stonewalls, claiming she was borrowing a book and later labels the man an “MI5 risk-assessment underwriter.” Bogdan notes inconsistencies but lets it drop, planning to revisit the lie.
After supervising a crane installation at Hillcrest, Bogdan returns to play chess with Stephen. He reflects on the residents’ mortality and his comfort among them. Stephen dozes mid-game, then periodically wakes, still capable of dangerous, unexpected moves that keep Bogdan cautious and respectful.
Elizabeth returns carrying a large sports holdall filled with cash and asks Bogdan for a favor: to buy £10,000 of cocaine, wholesale, by tomorrow lunchtime. Bogdan agrees without hesitation, recognizing it as part of Elizabeth’s undisclosed strategy and immediately considering a former teaching assistant turned dealer in St Leonards as a likely source.
As Bogdan starts to plan the purchase, Stephen wakes and unleashes a surprising bishop move, reminding Bogdan of Stephen’s enduring cunning. Bogdan leaves with two tasks: secure the cocaine swiftly and keep thinking several moves ahead, both on the board and in Elizabeth’s unfolding plan.
Who Appears
- Bogdan JankowskiNotices suspicious van and intruder at Ruskin; questions Elizabeth; agrees to source £10,000 of cocaine; plans supplier.
- ElizabethDeflects Bogdan’s surveillance questions; later reveals cash and recruits him to obtain wholesale cocaine by tomorrow.
- StephenDozes during chess but wakes to deliver a brilliant bishop move, showing persistent strategic acuity.
- RonSeen leaving Ruskin Court with Elizabeth and Joyce amid suspected surveillance.
- JoyceLeaves Ruskin Court with Elizabeth and Ron as Bogdan observes the covert presence.
- Unknown gloved manUses a key to enter Ruskin Court; likely surveillance; triggers Bogdan’s suspicions.