Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 50
Overview
Father Matthew Mackie arrives at the Garden and finds the residents’ blockade still holding, preventing Ian Ventham’s diggers from entering. His arrival gives the protest a moral and religious authority, and he prepares to confront Ventham directly while acknowledging the unlikely alliance protecting the graveyard.
Summary
Father Matthew Mackie travels by taxi to the Garden, unusually silent despite usually enjoying conversation with taxi drivers. He is relieved to find the gate still locked and guarded, with the diggers idling on their trailer rather than working.
Mackie recalls that he had left a phone number on the chapel noticeboard for exactly this emergency. Maureen Gadd had called that morning and promised to “alert the troops,” which has resulted in the guarded gate, seated protesters, and a crowd of residents waiting nearby.
After leaving the taxi and tipping the driver generously, Mackie notices Ian Ventham in a Ford Focus speaking with two police officers. Bogdan is not visible, which Mackie finds notable because Bogdan should be somewhere close if the digging is still expected to happen.
Before confronting Ventham, Mackie goes to the gate, speaks to and blesses the three women guarding it. Maureen asks whether tea might be available, and Mackie says he will see what he can do. He then pauses to introduce himself to the seated protesters, accepting all of them as part of the same cause regardless of their motives.
Who Appears
- Father Matthew MackieArrives at the Garden, reassured by the blockade, and prepares to confront Ventham.
- Ian VenthamWaits near the blocked gate in his car, speaking with police.
- Maureen GaddAlerted Mackie and helps guard the gate with the other women.
- Ron RitchieRecognized by Mackie as the outspoken man from the public meeting.
- BernardOne of the seated protesters, familiar to Mackie from a previous bench encounter.
- Two police officersStand with Ventham near the blocked entrance as the protest continues.