We Solve Murders
by Richard Osman
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
While hiding from gunfire after leaving Scroggie's house, Amy and Rosie absorb Jeff's warning that they must vanish completely and trust no one in London. Evidence from Scroggie's computer reveals that the sheriff himself killed Andrew Fairbanks and had been paid for dirty work, while Rosie finds $100,000 that Scroggie appears to have stolen. Forced off-grid and still threatened by Loubet's network and Vasiliy Karpin, Amy decides to steal a car, use Rosie's friend Barb as a temporary refuge, and call Steve in for help.
Summary
In the heat outside Sheriff Justin Scroggie's house, Amy tells Rosie that they need to steal a fast car because Jeff's message has made their situation clear: they must go completely off-grid. Amy explains that Rosie can no longer use traceable credit cards, that they cannot return to London, and that Jeff has warned Amy not to trust anyone else. Although Amy is shaken, Amy believes Jeff is capable of surviving whatever has happened to him.
Amy and Rosie stay hidden from gunfire in a neighbor's swimming pool, covered by a pool cover, while the shooter searches nearby woodland. As they wait, Amy reviews what they found inside Scroggie's house. Scroggie's personal emails show that Scroggie had recently been paid for an important job, which leads Amy to conclude that Scroggie himself killed Andrew Fairbanks rather than merely knowing who did. Amy also notes that Scroggie has been murdered by someone with real experience killing people, possibly someone working for François Loubet.
Rosie has also found a grocery bag containing $100,000 in cash, which Amy believes Scroggie stole from the money found on the boat. The discovery explains why only $900,000 was recovered there, and Amy realizes the money will help now that Amy and Rosie must disappear. When Rosie asks who is shooting at them, Amy judges from the gunfire that there is only one attacker, likely an incompetent police officer using a Glock 22. Because Scroggie was compromised, Amy suspects other cops may also be working against her.
As the gunfire fades, Amy starts forming a plan. Rosie offers her friend Barb, who lives within driving distance, as a safe place to regroup, and Amy tells Rosie not to leave Amy's side because Jeff is no longer available to handle the threat from Vasiliy Karpin. Amy also wrestles with larger questions: why François Loubet is targeting her, why Jeff warned her about Henk, and how all of it connects to Andrew Fairbanks, Bella Sanchez, and Mark Gooch.
When Rosie asks whom Amy trusts, Amy thinks through the few options she has left. Amy trusts her husband Adam, but Adam is far away and not suited to danger; Amy trusts Jeff, but Jeff is now missing; Amy may trust Rosie, but Amy needs immediate practical help. Amy finally settles on Steve as the one other person she truly trusts and who can actually help solve what is happening. After confirming that Rosie has a private plane, Amy decides they will steal a car, go to Barb's place, and bring Steve into the case.
Who Appears
- AmyTakes command under fire, deduces Scroggie's guilt, and decides to go off-grid and call Steve.
- Rosie D'AntonioHides with Amy, finds Scroggie's stolen cash, offers Barb's home, and reveals she has a private plane.
- Jeff NolanHis warning message drives Amy to disappear, avoid London, and trust almost no one.
- Justin ScroggieDead sheriff whose emails reveal he was paid for jobs and killed Andrew Fairbanks.
- SteveThe one practical ally Amy still truly trusts, whom she decides to summon.
- BarbRosie's elderly friend in South Carolina who can provide a temporary safe place.
- François LoubetSuspected source of the wider threat and possibly connected to Scroggie's murder.
- Vasiliy KarpinStill an unresolved danger to Rosie now that Jeff cannot handle him.
- AdamAmy's trusted husband, considered briefly but dismissed as too far away and unsuited to danger.
- HenkJeff's former best friend, mentioned in Jeff's warning as someone Amy should fear.