We Solve Murders

François Loubet explains that, two years earlier, “Joe Blow” contacted him, offering to supply couriers to smuggle money. Small-time social media influencers were to be targeted, as they often had little money but wanted to project “a jet-set lifestyle” (129). Consequently, Loubet set up Vivid Viral Media Agency and fake brands for the influencers to promote. Each courier was given a bag of money without being informed of its contents, and several were caught crossing international borders. Loubet assumed that Jeff Nolan was Joe Blow until Jeff threatened him. Loubet responded by having three of the couriers killed. A bag of money was left beside Andrew Fairbanks’s body to clarify the feud was a matter of principle rather than profit.

Loubet messages Rob Kenna, stating that if Amy is still alive within a week, he will have him killed.

Steve packs a small, battered backpack and arranges for his neighbor to care for Trouble. On the private jet to the United States, the pilot allows him to sit on the flight deck. He declines the offer of sushi and cocaine, asking if they have potato chips or a Scotch egg. While traveling, Steve records his thoughts about the case on his Dictaphone.