# Death and Company explained — Continental Op Stories

> Chapter companion for Continental Op Stories by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The Continental Op investigates the kidnapping of Mrs. Chappell, orchestrated by a group calling themselves Death & Company. The case takes a dark turn when Mrs. Chappell is found murdered, and the Op uncovers that her husband, Martin Chappell, staged the kidnapping to cover up his crime. The chapter culminates in a violent confrontation with Dick Moley, who kills Chappell before being apprehended.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

Chappell fakes his wife's kidnapping to cover his murder, and Moley's identity as the killer is revealed through fingerprints.

### Violence and Survival

The chapter features a shootout where Moley kills Chappell and is wounded by the Op, highlighting the brutal reality of the criminal underworld.

## Character check-ins

### The Continental Op

Investigates the Chappell kidnapping and murder, ultimately confronting Dick Moley.

### Dick Moley

Kills Martin Chappell and is wounded by the Op; reveals Chappell's role in the scheme.

### Jack Counihan

Mentioned as the Old Man; oversees the case.

## Key lines

> I was twisting my necktie around his leg above the bullet-hole. 'But that’s too sensible for you. How long you been playing around with her?' 'A couple of months,' he said, 'only I wasn’t playing. I meant it.'

The Op uses his necktie as a tourniquet while questioning Moley about his relationship with Mrs. Chappell, which Moley claims was serious.

_Reveals Moley's emotional involvement and the Op's pragmatic approach to first aid._

> I put the letter back on the Old Man’s desk. He said: 'Mrs. Chappell went to a matinée yesterday afternoon. She never returned home. Mr. Chappell received this in the mail this morning.'

The Old Man briefs the Op on the case: Mrs. Chappell disappeared after a matinee, and her husband received a ransom note.

_Sets up the initial kidnapping scenario that later unravels._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters/death-and-company
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/continental_op_stories_se/chapters