Chapter 16

As the Fairhaven minibus prepares to leave Coopers Chase, Elizabeth unexpectedly boards and sits beside Joyce. The two women chat carefully without mentioning Tony Curran’s murder, since they know some fellow residents may overhear them. Elizabeth hints at a mysterious past visit to Fairhaven in the 1960s, then lets the pleasant journey continue.

When Carlito drops everyone outside Ryman’s, Joyce assumes Elizabeth has ordinary Fairhaven plans. Instead, Elizabeth leads Joyce away from the seafront and toward Fairhaven Police Station. Elizabeth explains that if the Thursday Murder Club is going to investigate Tony’s murder properly, they need access to police information such as files, witness statements, and forensics.

Inside the station, Elizabeth stages a false report that her handbag has just been stolen outside Holland & Barrett. Joyce supports the performance by comforting Elizabeth, while a young desk sergeant arranges for Constable Mark to take a statement. Elizabeth refuses to speak to a male officer and demands a female constable.

Joyce improvises by claiming Elizabeth is a nun, giving the desk sergeant a reason to avoid further argument and find a female officer. Once the officers leave, Elizabeth drops the act and praises Joyce’s invention. Elizabeth admits that her real goal is to see PC Donna De Freitas, whose shift she has evidently already checked.

Donna then enters through the security door expecting to handle a routine complaint, only to recognize Elizabeth and Joyce. The chapter ends with Donna realizing that the two Coopers Chase residents have engineered the encounter.