Chapter 22 Summary & Analysis: Confronting Ravey Davey
⚠️ 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
Ron and Bogdan visit Davey Noakes, a notorious Ecstasy dealer, at his home. Over beers at breakfast, Ron presses Davey about Holly Lewis’s visit just before her death. Davey holds a gun but seems amused. Ron and Bogdan suggest Davey killed Holly to steal the Bitcoin worth £350 million. Davey counters that he paid Holly and Nick 20,000 Bitcoin ten years ago and has known about the fortune ever since – he would not need to rush now. He fires an air shot to emphasize his point, then asks who else the pair consulted. Ron reluctantly reveals that Holly and Nick also visited a lord (implied to be Lord Townes). Davey warns that if Nick Silver is presumed dead, Ron should be certain. The chapter ends with Davey leaving for Zumba, leaving Ron and Bogdan to reconsider their theory.
Key Events
- Ron and Bogdan arrive at Davey Noakes’s mansion; Davey’s butler serves beer alongside a gun.
- Davey flirts with Ron and asks about his relationship status; Ron deflects.
- Ron accuses Davey of killing Holly Lewis to obtain the Bitcoin fortune.
- Davey reveals that he personally paid Holly and Nick 20,000 Bitcoin more than ten years ago, so he has always known about the money.
- Davey fires a gun into the air to pressure Ron into revealing the other person Holly and Nick consulted.
- Ron admits the pair also saw a lord (suggested to be Lord Townes).
- Davey dismisses the accusation, noting his killing methods don’t involve bombs.
- As Ron and Bogdan leave, Davey raises the possibility that Nick Silver may still be alive.
Character Development
Ron
Ron shows vulnerability for the first time – he admits to being scared of Davey and acknowledges his own limitations (“Ron isn’t always the first to spot when something’s wrong with a theory”). Despite his fear, he holds his ground, refusing to back down completely. His loyalty to Elizabeth is clear when he notes that she will want a full report.
Bogdan
Bogdan provides silent but formidable support. His threat to kill Davey with his bare hands and his assertion that “only God can kill Elizabeth” underline his fierce protectiveness. He remains calm under pressure, refusing Davey’s job offer.
Davey Noakes
Davey is established as a charming yet terrifying figure. He is not impulsive: he has known about the Bitcoin for a decade and had ample opportunity to steal it. His theatrical behaviour (firing an air shot, mentioning Zumba) masks a calculating mind. He is willing to extract information through intimidation but values honour among criminals.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Deception and Misplaced Suspicions
Ron’s theory that Davey killed Holly is convincingly dismantled. The chapter shows how quickly assumptions can crumble when the full picture emerges – a recurring motif in the novel.
Power and Vulnerability
The gun on the beer tray symbolises the ever-present threat of violence. Davey’s power is absolute, but Ron and Bogdan’s refusal to cower demonstrates that power can be challenged through wit and loyalty.
The Untraceable Criminal
Davey boasts that no one will ever find evidence against him, reflecting the theme of how the wealthy and cunning can operate beyond the law. The “stones” metaphor suggests that uncovering the truth requires persistence.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 22 serves as a major turning point in the investigation. It eliminates the most obvious suspect (Davey) and reveals the true origin of the Bitcoin – a payment for a risky job a decade ago. This shifts suspicion towards Lord Townes, the other person Holly and Nick consulted. Davey’s final question about Nick’s death introduces doubt, keeping the mystery open. The chapter also deepens character relationships: Ron and Bogdan’s partnership is tested and strengthened, and Elizabeth’s unseen influence looms large.
Study Questions
1. Why does Davey Noakes fire his gun into the air during the conversation?
Davey fires the gun to demonstrate his willingness to use violence and to pressure Ron into revealing the name of the third person Holly and Nick consulted. It is a calculated intimidation tactic, not an attempt to kill.
2. What evidence does Davey give to prove he did not kill Holly Lewis?
He explains that he paid Holly and Nick 20,000 Bitcoin ten years ago, so he has always known about the fortune. If he wanted to steal it, he could have done so at any point in the last decade. He also insists he would never use a bomb to kill someone – he is a professional who leaves no trace.
3. How does Ron’s opinion of his own theory change by the end of the chapter?
Ron begins the chapter confident that Davey is the killer, but after Davey reveals his long-standing knowledge of the Bitcoin, Ron internally acknowledges the flaw in his theory. He realises Elizabeth will not be pleased with the wasted lead, and he leaves uncertain of where to turn next – except for the newly mentioned Lord Townes.