Thursday Murder Club, #2
The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 17
Overview
Summoned at midnight, Joyce finds Douglas alive, a dead intruder on his floor, and Poppy traumatized after shooting the attacker to save Douglas. MI5 agents Sue and Lance seize the scene and take Poppy and Douglas for questioning. Before leaving, Poppy secretly asks Joyce to call her mother, hinting at deeper doubts and divided loyalties.
Summary
After a midnight call from Elizabeth, Joyce hurries to 14 Ruskin Court, fearing bad news about Ibrahim. Instead, she finds Poppy shaking in an armchair and Elizabeth composed. Joyce makes tea and soon meets Douglas, who reveals there is a dead body on his bedroom floor.
Douglas explains he had been hiding in a wardrobe when a gunman held him at gunpoint. As the attacker prepared to fire, Poppy shot the man at close range, killing him. While Douglas praises Poppy’s coolness, Joyce comforts the clearly traumatized Poppy, who insists this is not the kind of job she wants.
Elizabeth reports that MI5 will handle the incident, and soon agents Sue (in charge) and Lance arrive. Sue brusquely orders Douglas and Poppy to pack and prepares to take them in for questioning, while Lance documents the scene. Joyce glimpses the body as a covert removal team zips up the bag and carries it out.
Elizabeth is told to secure the flat, and Poppy receives hugs from Elizabeth and Joyce before leaving. Back home, Joyce discovers Poppy has slipped a note into her cardigan pocket: “RING MY MUM” with a phone number. Joyce resolves to call in the morning, sensing Poppy’s fear and need for help.
Who Appears
- JoyceNarrator; comforts Poppy, witnesses MI5 takeover, and finds Poppy’s secret note to call her mother.
- PoppyMI5 handler; kills the intruder to save Douglas, shaken and doubting the job; secretly seeks contact with her mum.
- ElizabethCoordinates the response, summons Joyce, liaises with MI5, and reassures Poppy before securing the flat.
- DouglasElizabeth’s ex-husband; target of the gunman, recounts events; taken by MI5 for questioning.
- SueSenior MI5 agent; takes command, directs the scene, and orders Poppy and Douglas in for questioning.
- LanceMI5 agent; processes the crime scene and coordinates body removal.
- Unknown intruderArmed assailant who targeted Douglas; shot dead at close range by Poppy.