Thursday Murder Club, #1
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 63
Overview
Elizabeth fears danger when Stephen’s routine appears disturbed, but instead finds Bogdan calmly playing chess with Stephen. The encounter reveals Stephen’s continuing sharpness and deepens Bogdan’s connection to Elizabeth.
Bogdan then asks Elizabeth to trust Bogdan and meet after dark at the cemetery, suggesting Bogdan has discovered something important. The chapter shifts the investigation back toward the graves and hints at a new revelation.
Summary
Elizabeth returns to Larkin Court and immediately notices that Stephen’s study curtains are open, breaking his usual routine. Elizabeth rapidly considers whether Stephen has collapsed, whether an intruder has entered, or whether someone from Elizabeth’s past or present has come for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth enters quietly through the fire door and prepares to defend herself with keys between Elizabeth’s fingers. Inside, Elizabeth finds no emergency in the hallway, then hears Bogdan’s voice from the living room declaring checkmate.
Elizabeth discovers Stephen and Bogdan playing chess. Stephen is delighted, alert, and impressed that Bogdan has beaten Stephen fairly. Because Bogdan knows Elizabeth as “Marina,” Elizabeth corrects Stephen when Stephen calls Elizabeth by Elizabeth’s real name, explaining that Stephen gets things wrong.
Bogdan says Bogdan brought flowers, fixed the study light, and admires Elizabeth’s home and husband. Bogdan then asks whether Bogdan can trust Elizabeth and requests a private walk with Elizabeth that evening.
Bogdan says Bogdan has something to show Elizabeth, best seen after dark, and reveals that the destination is the cemetery. Intrigued and excited by the possible significance, Elizabeth agrees to meet Bogdan and wear warm clothes because they may be there for a while.
Who Appears
- ElizabethInvestigates Stephen’s disturbed routine, hides her identity as Marina, and agrees to meet Bogdan.
- BogdanVisits Stephen, wins at chess, fixes a light, and asks Elizabeth to come to the cemetery.
- StephenElizabeth’s husband; plays chess with Bogdan and mistakenly calls Marina by Elizabeth’s real name.