(Article is in Novels universe)
Jonas Duncan is a character appearing in the novel Worth Dying For by British author Lee Child.
In Worth Dying For[]
Seth meets with his father, Jacob, and uncles Jasper and Jonas, at Jasper's house, where he mentions the events at the diner. They agree to get rid of Reacher, sending two new Cornhuskers to the motel he is staying at.
Continuing their family meeting, Seth is questioned if he has something to hide following a discussion about a shipment delay at the Canadian border. Seth admits that he didn’t hit his wife, and tells his father and uncles that one of their customers had grown frustrated with shipment delays, and that he had given an estimated delivery date. The customer had sent goons to talk to Seth, though despite his reassurances, it wasn’t enough. One day they came and sought payback on Seth, thereby he let it out on his wife, whom they hit while he held her. Seth further adds that they came again the day before (before the events of the book) and hit her again.
After hearing a truck outside the house and thumps in the ground, Jonas goes out to investigate. Upon further inspection, he discovers the bodies of two Cornhuskers which Reacher dumped in the driveway. He declares that Reacher hasn’t been finished, at least yet.
After Seth leaves, Jonas expresses that Reacher might possibly be hiding in a hen house or in the fields.
Jonas is present when Jacob talks to Roberto Cassano and Angelo Mancini about Reacher’s involvement in the delivery delay.
Jonas is also present when Jacob questions the doctor about Reacher after his capture by Cornhuskers. After letting the doctor go, Jonas asks Jacob if they should bring in Eldridge Tyler just to be safe. Jacob replies that they would owe him in return if they did. Jonas then adds that it would be a wise investment should Reacher return. Jacob concludes that it depends on what Reacher would and wouldn’t find out about Margaret’s case.
The Duncans have dinner at Jonas’ house, where he makes them steak. Afterwards they move to Jasper’s house for drinks. Jonas asks Jacob where he thinks the delivery is at the current moment. Jacob replies that it might possibly be taking a break for the night. Jonas estimates that it has eighty miles left of it’s journey, before adding it would be around ten hours.
After Reacher is captured, Jacob arrives and gives Jonas and Jasper the news of it. He then tells them that they need to think of how much longer they want to keep Reacher alive. Jonas is the only one of the brothers who seem sceptical of the situation. He expresses points such as Rossi being desperate to shrink the “food chain” of command, and that the doctor originally lied to them about Reacher. Jacob tells him that the doctor has apologised, but Jacob stands firm on not willing to take to many risks. Jonas also expresses that there was enough in the police report that Reacher decided to come back when Jacob mentions that the doctor said Reacher found the police findings inconclusive. When Jacob puts forwards his proposal of keeping Reacher captive until the delivery van is closer to it’s destination, Jonas expresses his support after Jasper does, albeit reluctantly.
Jonas is with Jasper, Jacob, and Seth in Jasper’s basement looking for an aesthetic to treat Seth’s injuries. He finds the right bottle, despite the label being a bit hard to see. He asks Jasper if it’s the correct one, which he confirms. He joins Jasper and Seth going upstairs after Jacob, and flanks him when he is confronted by Mahmeini’s remaining goon. He assists in cleaning up after the goon is shot by Cassano and Mancini. He is also present when they drink with them, and when Jacob brings up Reacher. Cassano tells Jacob that it doesn’t matter how many people he sends to look for Reacher, and they will always beat them to it.
Once Reacher’s attack on the Duncans commences, Jonas becomes the first to be killed. He rushes out of his house to see what the commotion is, when Reacher shoots him between the throat and jaw, and the bullet continues through him and hits a corner of Jacob’s house. Jonas falls over and dies immediately.