The Cuckoo's Calling Read-along: Finale (Part Four of Four)

We're almost through with the book, with only two chapters to wind up the mystery and the epilogue.   A few thoughts that occurred to me on the re-read:

1. Do you think Strike could have inadvertently killed Bristow if Robin hadn't stopped him?  
2. This is the first time we see Strike seriously hurt his leg. It is interesting that, even though he is not so injured that he can't wear the prothesis, he does go to the doctor. He seems a lot more resistant to it in later books, particularly in books two and four. Is it only because he had already been to the hospital for the stab wound, and was therefore more amenable to a follow-up. or does he become more resistant to medical help as his career progresses? 
3. I really love the scene with Strike and Jonah in the pub, and how they connect as fellow soldiers. This is another Book 1-4 echo that could be picked up in Book 7 (or when the series winds up in Book 10:  someone (Joanh, Izzy) coming into a windfall of cash but being atypically unexcited about it. It is even possible that the "someone" is Strike himself, finally accepting his old child support fund from Rokeby. 
4. 
   As much as I love the Green Dress, I must admit being a bit put off by the extravagance of the gesture. This is a nearly three thousand pound dress; that could well be a month's salary for Robin. I can't imagine what I would ever do with a clothing item that expensive, or why I would want to own such a thing. And I know we are supposed to smile at Strike's poor gift-wrapping ability, but who stuffs a three thousand pound dress into a kit bag?  I have never purchased a clothing item anywhere close to that price, but the most expensive things I've ever bought (wedding dresses, academic regalia, mother of the bride dress) have all come in a garment bag.  A place like Vashti is going to wrap up anything it sells pretty carefully before it leaves the store. Even if it is "reasonably priced" by Vashti standards, at the very least they are going to put it in a nice box or shopping bag with tissue paper.  Strike may not understand women's clothing, but as a military guy he knows what a dress uniform is; he's going to be at least as careful with a dress that expensive. 
5. Matthew says that it is up to Robin what she does, but we know that her low salary, much more than the dangers of the job, is what will eventually become a point of contention between them. Of course, we now know that Strike could have the financial means to pay Robin more if he would take the Rokeby child support. He wouldn't have to necessarily spend huge chunks of it, but it would be what they both say they want in Lethal White: a healthy enough bank balance to see them through the lean times. Of course, financial security would make the next few books less interesting, but I can't help but wonder what Robin, after her marriage breakdown and her willingness to live in a box room in order to keep working with Strike, thought when she found out that financial safety next was there for the asking. 
6. Thinking back to the first time I read this book, I can remember really hoping Strike and Robin would be platonic friends, rather than romantic partners at this point.  I hadn't yet given up on Matthew. Had you?  What was the breaking point?

That wraps up The Cuckoo's Calling!  Tune in next week for the first 25 chapters of The Silkworm. I'll cover the first 13 on Monday:  the beginning through the Roper Chard party.