Page 47 of We Chase Shadows

‘And in the same cities where Jakob Eriksson’s rivals were murdered?’ adds Rosie.

‘Listen,’ says Vern. ‘When you showed me the pictures, I saw what it looked like. But I can’t believe it of Korbin, that’s all I’m saying. He’s German, and if you can’t trust a German, then, I’m sorry, but the world’s upside down.’

‘Where did you think he was, by the way?’ Steve asks. ‘When he was away on these trips?’

‘Just time off,’ says Vern. ‘You have to give them four weeks’ holiday. That’s our friend the EU for you.’

‘So let’s say,’ says Steve, ‘Jakob Eriksson is looking for a hitman. Why hire one of your bodyguards? What does he gain?’

‘Two birds with one stone?’ Amy suggests. ‘Gets his hitman, and also finds a way to get more information about Vern?’

‘Why not just kill Vern?’ says Rosie. ‘That’s what I’d do. No offence, Vern.’

‘None taken,’ says Vern. ‘I can’t keep saying this. Eriksson and I are friends.’

Trouble yawns and arches his back. Steve pats his lap to attract Trouble’s attention, but Trouble turns himself ninety degrees and settles back in Amy’s lap. How long are you going to keep this up for, Trouble?

‘The night he died, Korbin had something to tell me,’ says Amy. ‘Do you think he wanted to admit to working with Eriksson?’

‘Men in freezers tell no tales,’ says Rosie.

Rosie has been unusually quiet this evening. She had a meeting after they got back from Italy and hasn’t yet said why. In some ways it’s nice to have an evening off from her. She’ll be back on form soon enough.

‘Or perhaps he confessed it to you too, Vern?’ says Amy. ‘Then you killed him in a rage?’

‘Oh, please,’ says Vern. ‘I’m not Hannibal Lecter. I’m more Paddington.’

‘Paddington doesn’t run an illegal vitamins empire,’ says Rosie. ‘Or, if he does, he’s been very good at keeping it quiet.’

‘Maybe that will be the next film,’ says Amy.

Steve sees Rosie feeling her side.

‘Tell us about Jakob Eriksson,’ says Rosie. ‘I know you don’t want to. But we need to know everything you know.’

‘I know about as much as Interpol,’ says Vern. ‘I started to hear about him maybe twenty-odd years ago. I met him once, in Vegas, and never again. We got along well, and we came to an understanding. Which I’ve always understood to be the reason I am still alive.’

‘Perhaps he’s finally coming for your money?’ suggests Rosie.

Steve gives a little laugh. ‘He hasn’t got enough money already?’

‘Who in this world has got enough money?’ says Vern.

‘Me,’ says Steve. ‘I only need enough for cat food and a couple of pints at lunchtime.’

‘Me too,’ says Amy. ‘Although for protein shakes and lip balm.’

‘I don’t have enough money,’ says Rosie.

‘You want three moats?’ asks Steve.

Rosie shrugs. ‘I just think what’s the harm? No one ever died from having too much money, and millions die from not having enough.’

‘Have you ever thought,’ says Steve, ‘that the reason so many people die from not having enough money is that some people have too much?’

‘I mean, you could just live in Russia, Stevie?’ says Rosie.

The four settle into a few moments of quiet. Steve doesn’t like all this one bit. Way too many loose ends. He looks at the haunting figure of Jakob Eriksson in the Interpol photographs. Did he kill the bodyguards? Or is Vern right? Is somebody hiding behind his name? Georgie Glazier? Tommy Griffin?