Chapter 28 Summary: Antiques, Forgeries, and a Mysterious Code
⚠️ 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
The Thursday Murder Club gathers in the Jigsaw Room on a Thursday afternoon, joined by antiques experts Nina Mishra and her boss Jonjo. They begin a lesson on the antiques trade: anything over a hundred years old is an antique; younger items are vintage or collectible. Jonjo explains that most antiques are worthless—what matters is the story attached. The real money comes from telling a compelling narrative to inflate value.
Ron asks how to become a millionaire in the business. Jonjo demonstrates with a supposed Distinguished Service Medal, first presenting it with reverence and a dramatic story, then revealing it as a cheap forgery. The lesson: a skilled storyteller can sell a fake for thirty thousand pounds. Nina adds that Samantha Barnes runs a large-scale forgery operation, producing knock-off Picassos, Banksys, and other art. They suspect Barnes may be involved in something more dangerous, and that Kuldesh knew her.
Ibrahim then distributes laminated timeline sheets, despite Ron's suggestion to go digital. Elizabeth announces she must leave at 11:45 for a drive with Stephen, driven by Bogdan. The group reviews outstanding questions: the location of the heroin, who Kuldesh called after Nina, and why he bought a spade. Joyce suggests the heroin might be in Kuldesh's lock-up. Elizabeth wonders if Connie Johnson—a drug-world equivalent of Barnes—might have more information; Ibrahim plans to see her on Monday.
A call from Donna De Freitas interrupts. It is for Elizabeth: Donna has been checking Elizabeth's phone records. At 4:41 p.m. on Tuesday, Elizabeth called Samantha Barnes—and that number appears in the records as Code 777. Elizabeth immediately instructs Ibrahim and Joyce to go to Petworth and speak to Barnes that afternoon.
Key Events
- Nina and Jonjo present a lesson on the antiques trade, emphasizing the power of story in valuation.
- Jonjo reveals a fake medal to illustrate how forgeries can sell for huge sums.
- The group learns that Samantha Barnes is a major forger of art and may be involved in more serious crimes.
- Ibrahim distributes a laminated timeline; Elizabeth cuts the meeting short due to a planned drive with Stephen.
- Donna's call reveals that Elizabeth's call to Barnes is flagged as Code 777, a significant discovery.
- Elizabeth sends Joyce and Ibrahim to Petworth to confront Samantha Barnes immediately.
Character Development
- Elizabeth shows her secretive and strategic side. She had already contacted Barnes before the group knew, and now her call is marked with a high-priority code. She takes charge, redirecting Ibrahim and Joyce.
- Ibrahim displays his methodical nature—preparing laminated handouts and a preamble on evil—but also his flexibility when plans change. He reluctantly abandons his Zumba class to investigate.
- Joyce remains curious and warm, asking about Instagram and baking scones for Connie Johnson. Her reaction to being excluded from Elizabeth's drive hints at her desire for inclusion.
- Ron is blunt as always, noting Connie Johnson wants him dead and questioning Ibrahim's laminating habits.
- Nina and Jonjo serve as knowledgeable outsiders, deepening the club's understanding of the antiques world and the forgery network.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Storytelling as Deception: Jonjo's medal demonstration underscores how narrative can transform a worthless object into a valuable one. This theme ties directly to the investigation—Samantha Barnes's success relies on convincing stories, and the club must see through such deceptions to find the truth.
- Hidden Codes and Secrets: The sudden appearance of Code 777 signals that Elizabeth's actions are being monitored or that the phone number is part of a larger surveillance system. It introduces a layer of espionage and mystery.
- Value and Worth: The chapter contrasts monetary value (antiques, heroin) with human value (family heirlooms, relationships). Joyce's mention of her late husband's gravy boat and the medal's family story highlight emotional attachment versus market worth.
- The Transgressive: Ibrahim expresses interest in heroin smuggling as "the transgressive," suggesting the club's willingness to cross moral boundaries in pursuit of justice.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point. The lesson on forgeries directly parallels the criminal operation they are up against, giving the club (and the reader) the vocabulary to understand Samantha Barnes's world. The revelation of Code 777 transforms Elizabeth's earlier call from a minor detail into a major clue, abruptly shifting the investigation's focus. Elizabeth's decision to send Joyce and Ibrahim to Petworth without her also deepens character dynamics, hinting at her personal priorities with Stephen's health. The chapter efficiently combines education, plot advancement, and character friction.
Study Questions and Answers
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What is the "first rule of the antiques game" according to Jonjo, and how does it relate to the investigation?
The first rule is to never fall in love with things. In the investigation, this warns against getting attached to objects or stories at face value—the club must remain skeptical of everything they see, especially Samantha Barnes's forgeries. -
Why does Elizabeth interrupt the meeting to send Joyce and Ibrahim to Petworth?
Donna's phone-record check reveals that Elizabeth's call to Samantha Barnes is flagged as Code 777, indicating high priority or danger. Elizabeth needs Joyce and Ibrahim to interview Barnes immediately, while she herself goes on a drive with Stephen. -
How does the fake medal demonstration foreshadow later events in the chapter?
The medal shows how a compelling story can mask a forgery. This mirrors the revelation that Barnes's entire business is built on fake stories, and it primes the reader to question everything the club learns about her involvement.