Chapter 26 – The Hunt for Larry McGee
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Strike’s trip to Ipswich yields little about Plug’s friend but he later tips off the RSPCA about a possible animal locked in Plug’s shed. The next day, Strike visits Gibsons Auction House to trace Larry McGee, the driver who delivered the Murdoch silver. He learns from security guard Bradley that McGee is dead, then speaks with manager Diana Boadu and head of deliveries Charlie Carter. They reveal McGee was fired after two thefts — first of Staffordshire pottery spaniels, then a valuable kifwebe mask — and for watching pornography at work. His final act before dismissal: faking a migraine to ditch his co-driver, then vanishing with the van for hours. Though the silver was delivered intact, Diana admits she never received a photo of the Oriental Centrepiece. Bradley adds that McGee bragged about a “hot little blonde” and said he was expecting a cash windfall. Later, McGee appeared obese and angry, then died of natural causes. Strike leaves with McGee’s photo and a list of leads.
Key Events
- Strike returns from Ipswich, calls the RSPCA anonymously about a potentially abused animal in Plug’s shed.
- At Gibsons, Strike learns Larry McGee died months after being fired.
- Diana Boadu recounts two prior thefts (spaniels and a mask) linked to McGee.
- Carter describes McGee’s porn habit, lewd behaviour, and how he faked a migraine to ditch co-driver Dave.
- McGee delivered the Murdoch silver but was sacked immediately afterwards.
- Bradley reports that McGee claimed to have been delayed by a seductive blonde and expected a windfall.
- Bradley later saw McGee looking overweight and irritable; McGee denied ever mentioning a windfall.
- Strike photographs McGee’s picture from Carter’s phone and notes the missing photo of the centrepiece.
Character Development
- Cormoran Strike – Shows his trademark persistence and willingness to act on hunches (tipping off the RSPCA). He adeptly improvises conversation starters (pretending to love dogs) and adapts his interview approach when he discovers the key witness is dead. His attention to detail, such as asking about the centrepiece photograph, is sharp.
- Diana Boadu – Professional and cautious, she is protective of Gibsons’ reputation but cooperative once Strike establishes his credibility. Her initial blank about the centrepiece photo becomes a critical oversight.
- Charlie Carter – Ex-military or police, efficient and blunt, he gives precise, fact-filled testimony. His contempt for McGee is evident.
- Larry McGee (off-stage) – Emerges as a lecherous, dishonest man with a grandiose fantasy life. His claims of an imminent windfall and a blonde seductress suggest a connection to the murder of Jasper Bull, though he died before the crime.
- Bradley – A gossipy security guard who provides the crucial lead about McGee’s cash boasts and subsequent denial.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Deception and Misdirection – McGee’s faked migraine and his boasts about a blonde highlight how criminals use plausible lies. The missing centrepiece photo suggests a cover-up or oversight that may be significant.
- Animal Cruelty as a Parallel – Strike’s RSPCA tip-off (prompted by the neighbour’s lurcher story) subtly parallels the callousness McGee showed toward women and his co-workers. The motif of cruelty appears again when Bradley notes McGee’s physical decline.
- Wealth and Windfalls – McGee’s expectation of easy money contrasts with the polished world of Gibsons. The missing centrepiece, if stolen, could have financed his fantasy.
- Surveillance and Observation – Strike’s ability to gather information by noticing details (the woman on the corner, the aquarium fish, the dog-walking neighbour) underscores the theme of seeing what others miss.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 26 is the investigative pivot in the Bull murder case. Strike identifies a prime suspect — a dishonest, broke former employee who died before the crime, raising the possibility that someone else is using McGee’s inside knowledge. The missing photo of the Oriental Centrepiece is a concrete loose end that may link the silver delivery to the theft of the nef. The chapter also deepens the novel’s moral landscape: Strike’s small act of reporting suspected animal cruelty shows his code of justice extends beyond the case, while McGee’s sordid history presents a plausible motive for the murder of Jasper Bull.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Strike ask Diana whether she received a photo of the Oriental Centrepiece? Strike’s question reveals his suspicion that the centrepiece — heavy and identifiable — might have been switched or stolen during McGee’s unsupervised hours. If Diana never saw a photo, she cannot confirm the item delivered was the genuine article. This could be the first crack in the case.
2. What might McGee’s “windfall” refer to, and why is his denial significant? McGee initially told Bradley he expected money soon, but later denied it. This inconsistency suggests the windfall was illegal (e.g., a pay-off from someone involved in the theft) and that McGee feared talking about it after the murder. His death, though ruled natural causes, may be linked to the same criminal network.
3. How does Strike’s conversation with the dog-walking neighbour demonstrate his investigative method? Strike feigns a shared love of dogs to build rapport. This tactic — adopting a false persona to extract information — mirrors his earlier ruse with the security guard. It shows his willingness to use deception to uncover truth, a key trait that distinguishes him from police procedure.