Chapter 56 (Chapter 54): Rob Kenna and the Professional Killer
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Complete Summary
Rob Kenna is on a golf course with Big Mickey Moody, confident his luck has turned. He has dispatched Eddie Flood, a supremely capable contract killer from his past, to Dublin to eliminate Amy Wheeler. Rob reflects that ordinary targets can be handled by ordinary killers, but someone as skilled as Amy requires a specialist like Eddie. He acknowledges that Nelson Nunez’s tip about the Emerald Bay hotel was correct, though it led to nothing directly; Rob plans to send Nelson a thank‑you fee because the murder business runs on relationships.
Walking the course, Rob reminisces about growing up with Eddie in East London and later Soho. Eddie was the best: no flash, no ego, no joy in killing—just reliable work for a paycheck. Unlike Rob, Eddie lacked ambition and never built an empire. Rob contrasts himself with Big Mick, another man content with his lot. Rob admits he can never have enough; he wants to be a billionaire and prove something to his father. Big Mick advises doing what makes you happy.
Rob’s phone buzzes: Nelson Nunez is coming to Dubai for a Diamond Conference and asks to meet. Sensing money, Rob feels the familiar rising thrill. He concludes that people like his father, Eddie, and Big Mick will never understand his drive, but people like François Loubet and Nelson Nunez do, and they keep him in business.
Key Events
- Rob Kenna confirms that Eddie Flood is on a flight to Dublin to kill Amy Wheeler.
- Rob reflects on Eddie’s professionalism and their shared history.
- Rob and Big Mickey Moody play golf and discuss ambition, happiness, and fathers.
- Rob receives a text from Nelson Nunez announcing a visit to Dubai for a Diamond Conference and requesting a meeting.
- Rob decides that the pursuit of money is what makes him happy, and he aligns himself with others who understand that drive.
Character Development
Rob Kenna is portrayed as a man driven by an insatiable hunger for wealth and status. He contrasts himself with Eddie and Big Mick, both of whom are content with less, and he admits that proving something to his father is part of his motivation. Rob sees the murder business as a “relationships business” and values professionals like Eddie and informants like Nelson.
Eddie Flood (offstage) is remembered as a flawless killer: emotionless, reliable, and without ambition beyond the paycheck. His return signals a serious threat to Amy Wheeler.
Big Mickey Moody serves as a foil to Rob. A strong, content man raised by his grandmothers, he values hard work over wealth and advises Rob to do what makes him happy. His easygoing pragmatism highlights Rob’s relentless drive.
Nelson Nunez (offstage) continues to play a behind‑the‑scenes role, now apparently proposing a new partnership.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Ambition and “enough”. The central tension in this chapter is between being satisfied with what you have and always wanting more. Rob cannot understand people like Eddie or Big Mick who stop climbing; for him, enough is never enough.
The “relationships business”. Rob treats murder as a commercial enterprise built on trust, favors, and old connections. His loyalty to Eddie and his willingness to reward Nelson underscore this motif.
Professionalism over ego. Eddie represents the ideal hired killer: effective, discreet, and devoid of personal stakes. Rob respects that, seeing it as superior to the blundering of less skilled criminals.
Proving something to a parent. Rob’s desire to become a billionaire is partly driven by wanting to wipe the smile off his father’s face. Big Mick points out that he never will succeed in that, implying a futile pursuit.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter raises the stakes by putting a top‑tier assassin in motion against Amy Wheeler. It deepens Rob’s character, showing his psychology and his network. The arrival of Nelson Nunez in Dubai hints at a new plot thread, potentially involving a deal that could affect the story’s direction. The chapter also reinforces the theme of ambition as both a driving force and a personal flaw.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Rob Kenna hire Eddie Flood specifically for Amy Wheeler?
Rob believes that killing a trained security professional like Amy requires a specialist. Eddie Flood is a renowned killer with no ego or flash, simply reliable and effective. Rob compares him to the South Carolina cop, who was an amateur and ended up making things worse for himself. -
How does Big Mickey Moody’s advice contrast with Rob’s worldview?
Big Mick advises Rob to do what makes him happy and to stop trying to prove something to his father. Rob, however, cannot conceive of being satisfied with a modest life; happiness for him is directly tied to accumulating more money and power, even if he never spends it all. -
What does Nelson Nunez’s message suggest about his relationship with Rob?
Nelson is coming to Dubai for a “Diamond Conference” and proposes a meeting with a proposition. Given Rob’s instinct that it will lead to money, the message suggests that Nelson is both a loyal informant and a business partner who understands Rob’s drive. It also implies that Nelson may have a new opportunity or deal to discuss.