We Solve Murders
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Amy tells Rosie about the murders of Bella Sanchez and Mark Gooch, revealing that all three dead Maximum Impact clients were killed while Amy was nearby, which makes Amy fear she is being framed. Jeff then texts that François Loubet is behind the plot, asks Amy to return to London, and warns her not to trust Henk. Rosie questions Jeff's reliability and urges Amy to investigate the murders directly, but Amy prioritizes keeping Rosie hidden from Vasiliy Karpin.
Summary
Amy finally tells Rosie about the earlier deaths connected to Maximum Impact Solutions. Bella Sanchez, a Platinum client, went to St Lucia for promotional work, took a final photo in a penthouse suite, and was then shot in the head and hung upside down from a balcony. A month later Mark Gooch, another Platinum client, traveled to County Cork for a Punk Wine campaign, took a final photo in a tree, and was later found nailed to it.
As Rosie listens, Amy explains why these murders matter to her personally. Amy had been in St Lucia, about an hour away, when Bella Sanchez was killed, and Amy had been near Dublin, also about an hour away by helicopter, when Mark Gooch died. After Rosie had already told Amy about Andrew Fairbanks, Amy saw the pattern clearly: three Maximum Impact clients have been murdered, and Amy was nearby every time, which makes Amy fear someone is trying to connect her to the crimes.
Rosie presses Amy with joking but pointed questions about whether Amy could have been involved, then makes clear that Rosie does not truly believe Amy is the killer. Amy receives a text from Jeff, who says that a past client, François Loubet, is behind what is happening and that both Jeff and Amy are in trouble. Jeff tells Amy to return to London so they can discuss everything and then asks whether the name Joe Blow means anything to Amy, but Amy does not recognize it.
Rosie reacts skeptically to Amy's immediate trust in Jeff. Rosie points out that whoever is framing Amy seems to know Amy's movements, and Jeff is one of the people who always knows where Amy is. A second message from Jeff warns Amy to tell him if Henk contacts her and says she should not trust Henk, which unsettles Amy because Henk used to run Maximum Impact with Jeff and had once tried to recruit Amy after leaving.
Rosie suggests that, since the police never solved the earlier murders and Andrew Fairbanks was killed only about fifty miles away, Amy should investigate the crimes herself instead of simply rushing back to London. Amy, however, focuses on Rosie's safety and refuses to take Rosie to the mainland, where Vasiliy Karpin could reach her more easily. Amy decides she will go back to London in the morning while Kevin stays with Rosie on the island.
Who Appears
- AmyExplains the linked murders to Rosie, realizes she may be framed, and weighs Jeff's warning.
- Rosie D'AntonioHears Amy's account, questions Jeff's trustworthiness, and pushes for investigating the murders.
- JeffAmy's boss; texts that François Loubet is behind the danger and warns Amy about Henk.
- François LoubetPast Maximum Impact client whom Jeff identifies as the force behind the current crisis.
- Bella SanchezMaximum Impact client murdered in St Lucia after a promotional job.
- Mark GoochFinancial influencer and Maximum Impact client murdered in Ireland after a brand shoot.
- Andrew FairbanksThird murdered client whose death completes the pattern connecting the cases to Amy.
- HenkJeff's former business partner, newly presented as someone Amy should not trust.
- Vasiliy KarpinThreat still targeting Rosie, shaping Amy's decision to keep Rosie on the island.
- KevinAssigned by Amy to stay with Rosie on the island if Amy returns to London.