Chapter 67 – Chapter 66: Bogdan’s Grief and a Midnight Call from Elizabeth
⚠️ 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
At three in the morning, Bogdan breaks down in Donna’s arms, weeping for the man he has lost and for his own actions. He had stayed strong for Elizabeth, never crying in front of her except at the funeral. A week earlier, Bogdan and Stephen played their final game of chess — or rather, Bogdan tried to teach Stephen the moves, hoping the game might jog his memory. It did not, but the two sat together and talked, and Bogdan felt the same safety he had always known with Stephen. Stephen confirmed the plan Elizabeth had already shared: he had no desire to fade away and wanted to control his own ending. At the funeral, Bogdan sat beside Elizabeth while Donna sat behind him, connected to him. In the quiet of the night, Donna whispers details of the case: Samantha Barnes was struck with a blunt object but died from the fall down the stairs; Garth is missing; Mitch Maxwell and Luca Buttaci visited the lock-up and left empty-handed. Donna wonders if Samantha had the heroin, or if Garth now has it. The conversation turns to whether Elizabeth helped Stephen die. Bogdan insists such an act would be illegal, but if asked hypothetically, he admits he would have helped both Elizabeth and Stephen. Donna suggests solving the case as a gift to Elizabeth. Then Bogdan’s phone rings at 3:15 a.m. It is Elizabeth, asking them both to come — she knows where the heroin is.
Key Events
- Bogdan’s emotional release: For the first time since Stephen’s death, Bogdan cries openly, held by Donna.
- Chess game as metaphor: Bogdan and Stephen’s last chess session — not a real game but a teaching moment — underlines Stephen’s cognitive decline and his desire for dignity.
- Stephen’s plan confirmed: Stephen tells Bogdan he wants to be in control of his own end, reinforcing the plan Elizabeth had already shared.
- Funeral seating and connection: Bogdan sits with Elizabeth; Donna sits behind him, physically linking the three.
- Case update from Donna: Samantha Barnes was killed by a blow but the fall down the stairs was the actual cause of death. Garth is missing; the lock-up has been visited by both Maxwell and Buttaci, both empty-handed.
- Ethical discussion about euthanasia: Donna hypothesises that Elizabeth may have helped Stephen die. Bogdan states the illegality but acknowledges he would have helped if asked.
- Donna’s proposal: She suggests solving the heroin mystery as a gift to Elizabeth, who seems too grief‑stricken to continue.
- Elizabeth’s midnight call: At 3:15 a.m., Elizabeth phones Bogdan and asks him to bring Donna — she has discovered the heroin’s location.
Character Development
Bogdan
Bogdan has been the strong, silent presence for Elizabeth, suppressing his own grief. In this chapter, he finally allows himself to weep, showing his vulnerability and the depth of his bond with Stephen. His willingness to help Stephen end his life, despite the illegality, reveals his fierce loyalty and his understanding of compassion beyond legal boundaries. The chess lesson — in which Stephen does not remember the game — forces Bogdan to confront the irreversible loss of Stephen’s mind, yet he treasures the time spent together.
Donna
Donna offers physical and emotional comfort to Bogdan, kissing his tears and whispering to help him sleep. She is also the practical investigator, recapitulating the case facts and pushing for a resolution. Her suggestion to wrap up the case as a gift to Elizabeth shows her empathy and her desire to protect Elizabeth from further pain. She does not shy away from the difficult question of euthanasia, wanting to understand what happened even if she does not condemn it.
Elizabeth
Though not physically present for most of the chapter, Elizabeth is the absent centre. Her call at 3:15 a.m. demonstrates that even in deep grief, her mind is still working. She has found the solution — or at least a crucial lead — and reaches out to Bogdan and Donna, trusting them as her allies. Her decision to involve them suggests she is not isolating herself completely.
Stephen (in memory)
Through Bogdan’s recollections, Stephen is portrayed as a man who accepted his decline with dignity. He wanted to remain in control of his own story, and he trusted Bogdan completely. His words “Always fancied giving this a go” about chess show his willingness to engage even when his memory fails him.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and Vulnerability
Bogdan’s crying at 3 a.m. — a classic hour of solitude and raw emotion — embodies the private side of mourning. The physical comfort Donna provides (holding him, kissing his tears) highlights the importance of human touch and connection in processing loss.
Euthanasia / Right to Die
The chapter directly confronts the ethical dilemma of assisted dying. Stephen wanted to control the manner of his death, and Bogdan acknowledges that he would have helped. Donna’s hypothetical questions probe the legality versus the morality, and the characters’ willingness to step outside legal boundaries for love.
Loyalty as a Gift
Donna suggests solving the heroin case as “a gift” to Elizabeth. This reframes the investigation not as a duty but as an offering of love, giving Elizabeth something to hold onto when she might otherwise let go.
Chess as a Symbol of Mental Decline
Bogdan’s attempt to teach Stephen chess — a game Stephen once mastered — becomes a poignant symbol of what dementia steals. That Stephen cannot remember the moves yet still enjoys the company shows that connection remains even when cognitive function does not.
Midnight Calls as Plot Catalysts
Elizabeth’s call at 3:15 a.m. functions as a classic story turning point: the moment of renewed purpose after a period of stasis and sorrow. It yanks both Bogdan and Donna from their grief into action.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 66 is a hinge in the novel. It closes the emotional arc of Stephen’s death by giving Bogdan space to grieve openly, and it reopens the investigative plot with Elizabeth’s discovery. The chapter also deepens the reader’s understanding of the moral universe these characters inhabit — one where love and loyalty can justify acts that are technically illegal. By the end, the case is no longer just about heroin or murder; it is also about helping a friend find a reason to carry on.
Study Questions & Answers
1. How does the chess lesson between Bogdan and Stephen illustrate the effects of Stephen’s dementia?
The lesson shows that Stephen no longer remembers the rules of a game he once played, but he still enjoys the social interaction and the safety of Bogdan’s company. The failure of memory does not destroy their connection; instead, the shared moment becomes a form of goodbye.
2. Why does Donna suggest solving the case as a “gift” to Elizabeth, and what does this reveal about her character?
Donna recognises that Elizabeth is too heartbroken to continue the investigation. Offering to solve it is a way to give Elizabeth closure without adding to her burden. It reveals Donna’s empathy, her practical nature, and her desire to use her skills for a friend’s well-being.
3. Bogdan says helping Stephen die “would be illegal” but he would have done it anyway. What does this tell us about the moral code of the Thursday Murder Club?
The club’s moral compass prioritises compassion, loyalty, and individual autonomy over strict legality. The characters repeatedly bend or break rules when they believe a greater good (or a loved one’s dignity) is at stake. This chapter confirms that their bond transcends the law.