Page 63 of The Impossible Fortune

‘Met him a few times,’ says Connie. ‘Not your type, I’d say, but I can put in a word for you. Some guys like an older man.’

‘You are obsessed with romance,’ says Ibrahim. ‘He dealt Ecstasy, I understand?’

Connie Johnson shakes her head in amazement. ‘Dealt Ecstasy? Saying Davey Noakes dealt Ecstasy is like saying that Taylor Swift sells records.’

‘I see,’ says Ibrahim. ‘And does she?’

‘He was a pioneer,’ says Connie. ‘Built the whole industry from scratch. Made his millions, never got nicked, got out before everybody started killing each other. Textbook drug dealer, textbook. You won’t see another like him.’

‘And what did he turn his hand to afterwards?’ Ibrahim asks.

‘Cyber stuff,’ says Connie. ‘Passwords, I don’t know. But he’s still making plenty of money.’

‘And how did your paths cross?’ Ibrahim asks.

‘I wrote him a fan letter once,’ says Connie, ‘and he wrote back, which, you know, he didn’t have to. And I went to a charity ball at his house – there were police, criminals, everyone. Bradley Walsh was there, you know from the TV?’

Ibrahim nods. ‘Finally someone Ihaveheard of.’

‘Why the interest?’ Connie asks.

‘Have you heard of a place called The Compound?’

‘Of course I have,’ says Connie. The Compound, of all places. She wasn’t expecting that today. What has Ibrahim got himself involved with?

‘It was run by two friends of ours,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Holly Lewis and Nick Silver. I say “friends” – Nick vomited at a wedding and Holly died shortly after meeting us.’

‘Sorry for your loss,’ says Connie.

‘Anyway,’ says Ibrahim, ‘they met up with Davey Noakes not long before Holly Lewis’s murder.’

‘Any idea what about?’ Connie asks.

‘I believe they had a security issue,’ says Ibrahim. ‘They called upon the counsel of two individuals and Davey was one.’

‘Well, that’s Davey,’ says Connie. ‘He can cause yoursecurity issues or he can solve them, depending who he works for.’

Ibrahim nods. ‘I wonder if I might ask two further questions?’

‘Go right ahead,’ says Connie.

‘Thank you,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Do you think that Davey Noakes is the sort of person who, under a certain set of circumstances, might murder someone?’

Connie laughs. ‘Of course.’

Ibrahim nods. ‘And, secondly, are you a client of The Compound yourself?’

Connie tongs a couple of ice cubes into both drinks, and considers him. ‘Shall we retire to the cinema room? Anything you fancy watching?’

‘Anything you recommend?’

‘Do you watchBelow Deck?’ Connie asks.

‘Jog my memory,’ says Ibrahim.

‘It’s a reality show following the crew of a super-yacht,’ says Connie.

‘I have yet to catch it,’ says Ibrahim.