He had been so close to achieving his aims! So very close. Now it was all falling down around his ears. The thought amused him even in his terrified state and he began to laugh. As Tommy appeared at the back door, he grinned at him.

‘Hello, Tommy boy. I hear you’ve been looking for me?’

Then, as Tommy watched, he put the barrel of the gun in his mouth, curling his tongue around the metal and still laughing as he pulled the trigger.

He had cheated them of his death and they were still none the wiser as to who had been backing him.

Going to the lifeless form, Tommy began to kick it in his rage. Briony and Mariah walked out with Gilda. Turning to Briony, Tommy bellowed: ‘You lot had to stick your beaks in, didn’t you? Well, he’s brown fucking bread now, so that’s an end to it. If you don’t mind I’ll sort out Campbell and the others. Or do you want me to put me hand up and ask permission first?’

With that he pushed through them and went out through the house. Jimmy and Abel looked at one another, eyebrows raised, before they left.

Mariah put her hand on Briony’s arm.

‘He’s upset.’

Before Briony could answer, Gilda shouted: ‘So what? I’m upset! That fat bastard was paying me a small fortune for staying here. Now I’ve got to get the Old Bill and report a fucking suicide!’

Looking at the little woman in front of her, standing awkwardly with all her weight on her good leg, Briony started to laugh. A laugh that rapidly turned to tears. Taking her by the arm, Mariah walked her back to her car.

Pulling away from Mariah, Briony went to Tommy and said in a low voice: ‘All right, big shot, so you’re annoyed, but think on this. Where the fuck are the Jews? They were supposed to be protecting him, remember? Someone got here first, mate. Bolger thought he was running out to help and security. There wasn’t a soul there but us. Think about it. Come on, Mariah, we’ll leave the big boys to their little games.’

When the women left, Tommy got into Mariah’s car. It was being driven by her minder, Big John. Nodding at Kousan, Tommy said to the men: ‘As you can probably see, I’m fucking fuming so don’t bugger me about because I ain’t in the mood. I’ve got two dead men and no explanations. So have a good think before you open your traps!’

Campbell and Marcenello had no intention of aggravating Tommy Lane any more than was necessary.

They both began to talk at once.

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen