‘The new generation of criminals are different. And they like to launder their money in a new way. No gold, no diamonds, no bureaux de change or car factories, which is how I launder money.’
Alan sneezes.
‘Bless you, Alan,’ says Viktor. ‘The new generation clean all their money through cryptocurrency.’
‘Ah, like Bitcoin,’ says Joyce, nodding.
‘Yes, like Bitcoin,’ says Viktor.
‘And like Dogecoin and Ethereum,’ adds Joyce, taking a sip of her tea. ‘And Binance Coin, which is rocketing up this morning.’
Elizabeth looks at her friend. They will have a conversation about this later.
‘And cryptocurrency is the Viking’s business? That’s the story here?’
Viktor nods. ‘But I tell people to steer clear of cryptocurrency. Is too risky. I’m just doing my job, nothing personal. So I cost him a lot of money, and he would make a great deal more if I died. Of course, he could just wait a few years until everyone trusts cryptocurrency –’
‘Why wouldn’t you trust cryptocurrency?’ asks Joyce.
‘But I guess he wants me out of the way now. I get it, he’s young. He’s impatient.’
‘I’m not reading anything that suggests that cryptocurrency is going to collapse,’ says Joyce. ‘Quite the opposite.’
‘So we have to get to the big lad before he works out you’re still alive,’ says Ron.
‘Yes, or he will kill me,’ says Viktor. ‘And, if I understand correctly, he will also kill Elizabeth.’
Elizabeth nods. And he will kill Joyce. Joyce who is currently trying to hide the fact that she is secretly feeding a piece of croissant to an adoring Alan.
‘This is certainly one of the most unusual meetings of the Thursday Murder Club,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Am I to assume that I shouldn’t be writing up the minutes of today’s meeting?’
‘I think that might be for the best,’ says Elizabeth.
‘What is the Thursday Murder Club?’ asks Viktor. ‘I like the sound of it.’
‘We meet up every Thursday,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Usually at eleven in the Jigsaw Room, but you are forgiven on this occasion. And we try to solve murders. Though today seems to be about committing murders, so the remit is elastic.’
‘What are you working on now?’ asks Viktor.
‘We were supposed to be talking about a news reporter called Bethany Waites. She was murdered in 2013.’
‘I wondered, Ron,’ says Elizabeth, ‘if it might be fun to take Viktor with you the next time you see Jack Mason? See if Jack might open up?’
‘He won’t open up,’ says Ron. ‘We’ve got everything we’re going to get from him.’
‘Well, who knows,’ says Elizabeth. ‘And, Viktor, I also have a pile of paperwork for you to look through. Might as well set you to work while you’re here.’
‘I am at your service,’ says Viktor.
‘But first things first,’ says Elizabeth. ‘I need to send a photograph of your dead body to the Viking, to prove I’ve killed you.’
‘Excellent,’ says Viktor. ‘Let us dig a shallow grave and throw me in it.’
‘And for a final touch,’ says Elizabeth, turning to Ron, ‘I wonder if anybody knows a make-up artist who might be able to help us out? I don’t suppose you’re seeing Pauline today?’