Chapter 71

Connie Johnson readies for a meeting with Bogdan and a supposed London player, "Vic Vincent," dressing in gym gear to project control and hide a gun. She tidies her lock-up, conceals incriminating items, and greets them. Vic pitches a job: deliver diamonds to Frank Andrade on Monday at the pier’s manager’s office, a location chosen for visibility and control.

Connie questions the setup, probing the value and logistics. Vic adds an incentive: Andrade’s associate Lomax will attend to test Connie as a new cocaine wholesaler with a £50,000 purchase. Vic claims he cannot attend the handover because he killed Andrade’s brother, increasing the stakes and the need for a trusted intermediary.

Suspicious, Connie draws her gun, convinced she recognizes Vic. Bogdan vouches for Vic and explains a prior test buy using Connie’s product. Connie checks surveillance photos and identifies Vic’s face from an image of Ron and Bogdan at Fairhaven pier, concluding "Vic Vincent" is the same man. Relieved, she holsters the gun and agrees to the plan: deliver the diamonds to Andrade and supply the cocaine to Lomax, Monday at 3 p.m., with Bogdan present.

Before leaving, Vic requests a driver he trusts: Ryan Baird, providing a Scottish address. Flattered and excited, Connie agrees to send someone to bring Ryan down in time, and looks forward to concluding the deal—and celebrating afterward.