We Solve Murders
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 44
Overview
On the drive to Emerald Bay, Steve uncovers that Vivid Viral Media is a renamed older company, suggesting another layer of concealment behind the laundering operation. More importantly, driver Ferdy confirms that Bella Sanchez arrived with the same red-haired woman tied to Andrew Fairbanks and that the woman carried the same brown holdall, firmly linking the money, Bella, and Andrew's death.
The chapter also raises the stakes when Hampshire Police report that Jeff Nolan's blood filled his abandoned car, making his death seem likely. By the end, Ferdy points Amy and Rosie toward Nelson Nunez, a dangerous local figure who may connect them to the missing money or the killer.
Summary
As Amy, Steve, and Rosie drive up the dangerous coastal road toward Emerald Bay in St Lucia, the conversation moves between nervous banter and investigation. Steve, who is clearly frightened by the height and road conditions, finally turns his phone back on after worrying about roaming charges. Once connected, Steve checks the Companies House information Amy asked for and discovers that Vivid Viral Media appears to be a renamed older company called Felicity Woollaston Associates, a theatrical agency whose sole director is Felicity Woollaston, a woman in her seventies.
The investigation sharpens when Rosie shows their driver, Ferdy, a photo of Bella Sanchez. Ferdy remembers Bella arriving in a private car rather than his taxi and says the car crashed on the final stretch to the resort. Ferdy saw the driver well enough to describe a white woman with long red hair and a baseball cap, matching the woman linked to Andrew Fairbanks. Ferdy also says Bella had three cases and that the driver insisted on carrying a large brown leather holdall.
Amy shows Ferdy the photograph of the brown holdall found with Andrew Fairbanks on the yacht, and Ferdy confirms it is the same bag. That link gives Amy stronger proof that Bella Sanchez, Andrew Fairbanks, the red-haired driver, and the missing money are all connected. The trio now has evidence that the deaths and cash movements are part of the same scheme, not isolated events.
Near the end of the ride, Steve reads a new message from Hampshire Police stating that the blood found in Jeff Nolan's car was Jeff's and that there was so much of it that police believe Jeff must be dead. Amy refuses to fully accept that conclusion, but the news unsettles her because Jeff has still not contacted her. Rosie then shifts the conversation toward local criminal networks, and Ferdy identifies Nelson Nunez, a dangerous man at Bluff Point, as someone who might be receiving large amounts of drug money and might also know about a murder. Ferdy agrees to approach Nelson for them, giving Amy and Rosie a promising new lead.
Who Appears
- Amy Wheelerpushes the investigation forward, connects clues, and rejects the idea that Jeff is dead
- Steve Wheelernervous on the mountain road; uncovers Vivid Viral's earlier company identity and receives police news on Jeff
- Rosie D'Antoniocharms Ferdy, questions him strategically, and helps open a path to Nelson Nunez
- FerdySt Lucian taxi driver and failed politician who remembers Bella's arrival and provides a crucial criminal lead
- Bella Sanchezseen in retrospect arriving by private car with luggage and the brown holdall
- Jeff Nolanreported by police as likely dead after his blood is identified in the abandoned car
- Nelson Nunezdangerous St Lucian criminal Ferdy suggests may know about the cash or a murder
- Felicity Woollastonsole director of the older company name behind Vivid Viral Media
- Andrew Fairbanksconnected by the matching brown holdall and the same red-haired female driver
- Unidentified red-haired womanprivate driver seen with Bella; description matches the woman linked to Andrew Fairbanks