We Solve Murders Chapter 87 Summary: Eddie Flood's Decision
⚠️ 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
Eddie Flood wakes after a full nine hours of sleep, feeling rested and ready. He has reached a crucial decision: today is the day he will act. The odds are against him, but he has been in difficult positions before and is confident. After packing his bag and patting it for luck, he decides to follow Rosie that morning. His plan is to wait until she is alone in her room, and then strike. From his window, he sees a view of aluminium air-conditioning ducts snaking up a crumbling stone wall—a reminder that his situation is precarious. The money from Rob Kenna, fifteen thousand pounds, is nearly gone, and that urgency is what pushes him to move now.
Key Events
- Eddie Flood wakes after nine hours of good sleep, feeling prepared for the day ahead.
- He acknowledges the odds are against him but recalls past experiences where he succeeded against similar challenges.
- He packs his bag and taps it for good luck, a small ritual before embarking on his mission.
- Eddie decides his course of action: follow Rosie in the morning and strike when she is alone in her room.
- He opens his curtains and observes the view of air-conditioning ducts on a decaying stone wall, a visual cue of his environment.
- He reflects that Rob Kenna’s fifteen thousand pounds is almost exhausted, confirming financial desperation as a motivator.
Character Development
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Eddie Flood: This chapter provides a focused glimpse into Eddie’s mindset. He is a planner who values good rest before action. He admits nervousness but also declares readiness, showing a blend of caution and resolve. His ritual of patting his bag suggests superstition or a need for confidence. The mention of past successes hints at a seasoned background, possibly in crime or risky ventures. The financial pressure from dwindling money underscores his desperation and willingness to take a dangerous step.
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Rosie (mentioned): Though not present in the scene, Rosie is the target of Eddie’s plan. She is someone Eddie feels he must confront when she is vulnerable (alone in her room). Her role remains mysterious, but she clearly holds significance in Eddie’s mission.
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Rob Kenna (mentioned): Referenced only as the source of the fifteen thousand pounds that Eddie has been spending. Rob Kenna is likely a past contact or employer, and the running out of that money is the catalyst for Eddie’s current action.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
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Preparation vs. Impulse: Eddie’s deliberate sleep and planning contrast with the impulsive nature of his strike. He prepares meticulously but acts when the opportunity arises, highlighting a balance between caution and boldness.
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Financial Desperation: The nearly depleted money from Rob Kenna is the driving force behind Eddie’s decision. This theme of economic pressure forcing risky choices is a common motif in crime narratives.
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The Window View: The aluminium air-conditioning ducts on a crumbling wall symbolize decay and impermanence. They reflect Eddie’s own deteriorating circumstances and the unglamorous, gritty reality of his life.
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Timing: The phrase “today’s the day” repeats, emphasizing the critical nature of timing. Waiting for the right moment (when Rosie is alone) is central to Eddie’s strategy.
Why This Chapter Matters
This short chapter acts as a narrative pivot. It shifts the perspective to an antagonist or opposing force, Eddie Flood, and reveals his plan in real time. The reader now knows that Rosie is in danger, creating suspense and urgency. The chapter also deepens Eddie’s characterization, showing him as a determined, resourceful figure rather than a mere thug. The financial motive adds a layer of realism, making his actions understandable even if not sympathetic. For the overall plot, this scene raises the stakes: the heroes (likely the protagonists who “solve murders”) have a limited time to intervene before Eddie strikes. The chapter’s brevity and focus heighten tension, reminding readers that action is imminent.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Eddie believe “today’s the day”?
Eddie decides to act because his financial resources are nearly exhausted—Rob Kenna’s fifteen thousand pounds is almost gone. He feels physically and mentally prepared after a good night’s sleep and concludes that waiting longer would only worsen his position. The odds may be against him, but he trusts his experience.
2. What does the view from Eddie’s window tell us about his circumstances?
The view of aluminium air-conditioning ducts on a crumbling stone wall suggests a rundown, unglamorous environment. It reinforces that Eddie is living in a cheap or neglected space, consistent with his dwindling funds. The decaying wall implies decay in his own situation, and the industrial ducts hint at a gritty urban setting.
3. How does Eddie’s ritual of patting his bag contribute to his characterization?
Patting the bag for good luck reveals a superstitious or ritualistic side to Eddie. It shows that despite his confidence and readiness, he still seeks reassurance through a small gesture. This humanizes him, making him more complex than a simple villain, and suggests he relies on habits to steady his nerves before dangerous actions.