‘Peter. Do you know the name Sam Sutton?’ she asked.

As soon as she said Sam’s name Peter knew what was coming but he calmed himself and tried to act normal.

‘Yeah, he used to work for me,’ he said.

‘I thought I’d heard you mention him,’ said Adele.

‘Why are you asking?’

‘He’s been killed,’ said Adele. ‘It’s just been on the news.’

‘You’re joking!’ Peter said. He tried to sound surprised. ‘Why, what’s happened?’

‘The police had a report of a body in an abandoned warehouse and when they went to investigate they found him. Apparently he’s been mutilated and tortured.’

‘Shit! That sounds bad. Poor Sam!’

‘I know. And what about his family?’ asked Adele. ‘It must be awful for them.’

‘Yeah,’ said Peter, feeling a pang of guilt. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll go round to see his missus tomorrow, see if there’s anything I can do.’

‘What do you think happened?’ asked Adele.

‘I don’t know. He didn’t work for me anymore and I’d not seen him for a couple of weeks.’

‘Why did he leave?’

‘Just said he’d had a better offer and that was that.’

‘Bloody hell! It’s terrible, isn’t it? And I expect the police will be round asking questions.’

‘Probably. I hope they find the bastards. What a shit thing to happen!’

‘Well, I just thought you should know, seeing as how he used to work for you.’

‘Yeah, appreciate it, sis, even if it is bad news… Fuckin’ hell, that’s knocked me for six, that has.’

‘I bet it has,’ said Adele. ‘Sorry to be the one to break it to you.’

‘No worries. Thanks anyway,’ he said before finishing the call.

Shit! So the news was out. Although Peter was aware of what had happened to Sam, hearing his sister relate the facts still got to him. After all, Sam had once been a friend, even if he had done the shit on him. So, when the police came calling, he wouldn’t need to act very much to show his regret. But, as for his men, they’d never know how upset he was about Sam. It didn’t pay to show weakness.

He took a few minutes to compose himself, ordered another brandy from the barmaid, then went in search of Glynn and Mike to prepare them for the imminent arrival of the police.

*

Glynn and Mike were sitting in a corner of the club chatting to two attractive young women whose eyes lit up when Peter came to join them.

‘I need a word, upstairs,’ Peter said to his men, and the two women’s faces dropped.

Once they were in the privacy of Peter’s office he came straight to the point. ‘Cat’s out of the bag about Sam. It’s been on the news. Our Adele told me.’

Glynn and Mike nodded for him to continue.