‘Guilty as charged. But now I am giving you a Get Out of Jail Free card. You can change your life tomorrow.’

‘You act like all this is going to go so smoothly. You’re dealing with the brute in the front seat – and someone who has a ruthless thug paying him. Who’s to say he hasn’t been ordered to kill us all once he has the girl?’

‘Because I have already put an insurance policy in place. Mr Kelleher insisted that Ricky come along to provide muscle if your daughter won’t let Amber go quietly … but you and I will ensure she goes quietly. Mr Kelleher also knows that if I do not call my secretary by 7 a.m. tomorrow she is to alert the police. Why do you think I brought Teresa into the story? Because as agreed with Mr Kelleher she is going to take Amber to a safe location for the last weeks of her pregnancy, keep her very comfortable and healthy, get the baby delivered by doctors that Mr Kelleher will supply, and then give him the child – on the proviso that Amber is left alone.’

I could have said: that was our plan as well. Todor went on:

‘Once this is all wrapped up you give me your bank details. I am certain Mr Kelleher’s legal people will want you to sign certain non-disclosure forms. But trust me, he wants this wrapped up as quickly and quietly as possible. The money will be with you days after this is done.’

‘If I accept the money … which I won’t. But you will. That’s the big, serious difference between us: you’re a mercenary creep.’

‘Call me all the names you like, Brendan. I am solving a problem for a man who will solve many problems for both of us.’

‘When this night is over we are never having anything to do with each other again.’

‘Glad to see that being with that baby-killing older woman has so emboldened you. The new aggressive Brendan.’

To which I could only reply:

‘Fuck you, Father.’