‘Bravery has nothing to do with it,’ said Jia. ‘I trust our system. Our IT experts make sure all transactions are obscure. If the authorities wanted to track down our users, they would have nowhere to look. The only money good here is crypto-currency. It’s the online equivalent of a brown bag of cash.’

‘And how will you explain all your crypto-currency?’ said Edward.

‘Our income comes purely from Bitcoin mining,’ said Jia.

‘So what about delivery?’ said Edward. ‘How does that work?’

‘There are a number of ways,’ Idris replied. ‘One way is through the breakfast or lunch order system. Every morning you get your PA to place an order at this number.’ He handed Edward a business card. ‘These are the contact details for your friendly neighbourhood narcotics shop. They also do a mean mozzarella panini and the best all-day halal breakfast in town.’

Edward laughed. ‘That’s what I like about you pick’n’mix Muslims: priorities, you’ve got them straight. Your business may be strictly haram but your food can’t ever be!’

‘We will have told them to expect your call,’ Idris continued. ‘Place your order and at 10.00A.M. and 1.00P.M. sharp the delivery boy will drop it off. Along with your sandwich. The only thing you have to do is wait, and make sure he delivers the breakfast box directly to your office. Lunch deal works well if you’re looking for a hit a day.’

Edward nodded. ‘What if I need deliveries throughout the day? For various people, you understand,’ he said.

‘Then I suggest you go with the Caretaker package. You put one of our guys on your office payroll as a janitor. We handle all the details, vetting, references, employment history, and make sure he has a clean record. He maintains the building, keeps the boys topped up through the day and cleans up – it all works beautifully. Of course, this works for your day-to-day needs. Any parties you want us to cater for, they’ll need our events management services.’

They were unsure what convinced Edward in the end. Maybe it was their sales pitch, maybe he liked their product, or maybe he was afraid of what they had on him. Whatever it was, they knew that this big fish was enough to bring in the ocean.

CHAPTER 37

It was the smell of urine soaking through his father’s trousers that the shopkeeper’s son would never forget. That and the screams coming from within the shop as it burned to the ground.