Looking around her, Bailey contemplated how villains had to unwind too. Contrary to what people might have thought, they didn’t spend all of their time engaged in nefarious acts of skullduggery. In fact, when they weren’t locked up in prison, they spent a good chunk of their existence luxuriating in the fruits of their ill-gotten proceeds. After all, why bother making all that money in the first place if you couldn’t enjoy it?

However, despite the convivial atmosphere, Bailey reminded herself that their enjoyment was built on exploitation, intimidation, violence, murder and the trafficking of items that destroyed the fabric of society. She ate the delicious food with the knowledge that there was a gun in the glove compartment of her car, hard proof of their amoral activities, and it steeled her resolve to take them down for good.

Rick turned to her and smiled affably. ‘Are you into restaurants, Bailey?’

‘I like a decent bite to eat, but I can’t say I’m much of a connoisseur.’

Although Bailey definitely appreciated high-quality food, her work schedule as a normal police officer often meant that takeaways were the only convenient option. When it came to working undercover though, things could be considerably more variable, her diet dictated largely by whatever environment she happened to be operating in. She certainly couldn’t complain about this place, but in her last operation she’d had to stomach solely what had been on the menu in the prison canteen.

‘Restaurants are one of my passions,’ said Rick. ‘In fact, I just purchased this new place. Asian fusion. You like Asian fusion?’

‘Asian fusion? Never been quite sure what that is exactly.’

‘Sushi pizza, kimchi quesadillas… that kind of thing. It combines the culinary traditions of Asian countries with those of various other countries. It’s a very innovative cuisine, with the scope to create some really imaginative dishes.’

Bailey nodded, impressed by his expertise. Sometimes criminals, once they gained a bit of cash, liked to affect a certain degree of culture, like they were suddenly a cut above their fellow gangsters, but Rick seemed to have a genuine appreciation for haute cuisine.

‘Of course, restaurants are just one element among many when it comes to my business ventures,’ he said. ‘I’m a property developer at heart.’

She knew property was one of the ways the Molloys laundered their illicit proceeds. Other ways included front businesses like restaurants, bars and bureaux de change; also, assets like jewellery, luxury cars and works of art; and, of course, hard cash, bundles and bundles of it, secreted around the place in various locations.

Bailey decided to flatter him a little, hoping to perhaps tease out some useful wisps of information.

‘Property… wow. That’s my dream. To get to the level where I’m doing big property deals.’

Rick puffed up a little. ‘My latest undertaking is a luxury riverside development on the Thames Estuary. Six hundred top-of-the-range flats in Gravesend. The whole place is a building site at the moment, but they’ll look fab when they’re finished.’ He paused. ‘I do believe that’s where the opportunity lies, further along the Thames Estuary as London expands.’