Ron Ritchie: The Relentless Protector in The Impossible Fortune
Overview
Ron Ritchie is introduced as a former union activist whose history of picket-line conflict and personal loyalty defines his every action. In The Impossible Fortune, Ron is pulled into a dangerous investigation when his daughter-in‑law’s abusive husband, Danny Lloyd, threatens his family. Through his bond with grandson Kendrick and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his children, Ron becomes a central emotional anchor—showing how age does not erase the instinct to protect.
Plot Role
Ron’s main contribution to the story is twofold: he opens the door to key information about The Compound, and he confronts the domestic violence plot directly.
- Finding Bill Benson: Elizabeth tasks Ron with locating Bill Benson, a former miner who knows the location of The Compound. Ron tracks Bill to the Dove pub, where they instantly bond over the 1974 Betteshanger miners’ strike. Bill is shocked to learn that Holly Lewis is dead and agrees to take Ron to The Compound—a breakthrough that moves the investigation forward.
- The Safe and the Key: Alongside Connie Johnson, Ron descends into the underground vault and retrieves the paper that proves ownership of the Bitcoin fortune. The retrieval is a tense, physical moment that underscores Ron’s courage.
- Confronting Danny Lloyd: In the novel’s emotional climax, Ron deliberately puts himself in harm’s way to draw Danny Lloyd out. He hides in Pauline’s darkened flat, letting Danny believe he can be killed. The ambush—with armed police hidden in the bedroom—results in Danny’s arrest and a full confession, ending the threat to Suzi, Jason, and Kendrick.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
Ron’s defining motivation is the protection of his family. This is shown repeatedly:
- Protecting Kendrick: When Kendrick arrives unexpectedly after Danny leaves Suzi, Ron immediately offers his home. In chapter 15, Ron tries to learn what really happened, but respects the Ritchie code of silence. When Kendrick later admits that his father hit his mother, Ron pivots from secrecy to action.
- Sacrificing Pride: Ron’s internal conflict centres on the Ritchie principle that “we don’t grass.” Yet after Kendrick overhears a police conversation and argues that protecting violence is worse than talking, Ron calls DCI Chris Hudson. This decision—breaking a family rule—shows his moral growth.
- Physical Courage: The flashback to the 1970s picket line, where Ron deliberately provoked a police officer and was left in a ditch with broken ribs, is mirrored in the present when he calmly faces Danny’s gun. Ron’s body is older, but his nerve remains.
Chronological Arc
- Early chapters: Ron is hungover after Joyce’s wedding, still capable of humour and gruff affection. He lies on his bathroom floor while Ibrahim and Pauline care for him—a gentle start that hints at his vulnerability.
- Mid‑novel: Ron spends time with Kendrick, taking him to see llamas and explaining late‑stage capitalism. He meets Bill Benson, learning the gravity of the case. His worry about Suzi deepens; he realises he is being protected by his children rather than the other way round.
- Climax: Ron volunteers to be bait. He hides in Pauline’s flat, lures Danny with the Bitcoin key, and enables the police to record Danny’s confession. After the arrest, Ron reflects that “there are worse crimes than grassing.”
- Resolution: The immediate family danger is neutralised. Ron reasserts his role as protector, even if he now leans on the people he loves.
Relationships
| Character | Nature of Bond | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Kendrick (grandson) | Deep, tender, educational. Ron treats Kendrick as an intellectual equal. | “You’re the best, Grandad” and the talk about late‑stage capitalism. |
| Jason (son) | Respectful but cautious; Jason tries to shield his father. | Ron sees Jason lying to protect him, which fuels Ron’s determination. |
| Suzi (daughter‑in‑law) | Unseen directly, yet she is the emotional centre of Ron’s mission. | Ron learns about her black eye and vows to “sacrifice anything.” |
| Pauline (partner) | Supportive, independent, and brave. She hides with Ron during the ambush. | “Good luck, lover,” she says, kissing him before slipping away. |
| Ibrahim (friend) | A calm counter–weight; Ron relies on Ibrahim’s counsel. | Ibrahim is told about the family dinner and the miner meeting. |
| Elizabeth (friend) | Cautious respect; Ron often jokingly calls her “boss.” | “Yes, boss,” he says when she gives orders, acknowledging her authority. |
| Danny Lloyd (antagonist) | Pure opposition. A bully built on steroids and cocaine; a “wholly fake man.” | The gun‑point standoff and the arrest. |
Key Decisions and Consequences
- Telling Bill Benson the truth about Holly’s death. Ron blurts the news without Ibrahim’s diplomacy, but it builds trust. Bill then guides them to The Compound.
- Going underground to retrieve the key. Ron and Connie open the safe together; the success gives the team leverage over the Bitcoin fortune.
- Calling the police instead of handling Danny privately. This choice goes against the Ritchie code, but it saves Suzi’s life and ensures justice. Kendrick’s moral clarity is the catalyst.
Theme and Symbol Connections
- Friendship in Old Age: Ron’s loyalty to the Thursday Murder Club is tested when he hides his plan from Elizabeth. Yet the friends ultimately support his choice.
- Grief and Re‑awakening: Ron is not grieving a lost partner, but he mourns his lost role as primary protector. Confronting Danny allows him to reclaim purpose.
- Trust and Deception: Ron’s skill at reading lies—he knows Jason is lying, he spots Bill’s evasion—is contrasted with his own willingness to deceive Elizabeth for the family’s sake.
- Family Loyalty and Protection: The entire arc turns on the lengths a father will go to for his children.
- Crime and Morality: Ron’s final decision redefines “grassing” as the moral act, not the crime. The novel argues that protecting a victim is more important than an old‑world code of silence.
Questions and Answers
-
Why does Ron initially refuse to cooperate with the police about Danny?
He adheres to the Ritchie family rule of not grassing, a principle born from his union days. He only changes his mind after Kendrick argues that protecting violence is worse. -
How does Ron’s past as a union activist influence his present actions?
The picket‑line mindset—standing up to authority, enduring physical punishment, and forging bonds with fellow workers—gives Ron the courage to face Danny alone. It also makes him instinctively distrust the police. -
What is the significance of the Bitcoin key to Ron personally?
Beyond the fortune’s monetary value, the key becomes a bargaining chip. Ron uses it to lure Danny into a trap, transforming a piece of paper into a weapon of protection. -
In what way does Kendrick change Ron’s moral outlook?
Kendrick’s simple observation that “protecting violence is the worst crime” helps Ron see that silence about domestic abuse is complicity. This insight pushes Ron to phone DCI Hudson. -
Does Ron fully rejoin the Thursday Murder Club after the Danny Lloyd incident?
The novel implies yes. He returns to the group’s investigation, but with a newfound respect for the power of police partnership. He has not abandoned his principles—he has re‑interpreted them.
This analysis draws on the narrative outline and excerpted chapters from The Impossible Fortune. Interpretations are offered as plausible readings; explicit facts are cited to the source material.