Cole had no intention of leaving the answer alone.

‘These two men had committed a crime for which they could be imprisoned for life. And they risked that imprisonment just because they felt the need to boast. Is that really your answer?’

‘I’m not sure this is a fair line of questioning, My Lord.’ Epstein had risen to his feet. ‘Mr Price cannot be expected to know why the defendants would have chosen to speak to him. He has no insight into their mindsets or motivations.’

‘Perhaps not, My Lord,’ Cole countered. ‘Or perhaps the conversation reported by Mr Price never happened, and the lack of any good reason for the defendants to have spoken to Mr Price is proof of that. But I think the point has been made, so I’ll move on.’

Epstein retook his seat. Michael could see his irritation; his interruption had given Cole the chance to make his point in the most direct way possible. A glance across to the jury told Michael that at least they had enjoyed Cole’s response.

‘OK, Mr Price, let’s move on then.’

Cole’s Liverpudlian accent was becoming more pronounced.

He’s beginning to enjoy himself, Michael thought.

‘You’re shocked. You’re disgusted. No later than December 18th.’

‘That’s what I said, ain’t it?’

Price’s mistake had left him rattled. He reacted to that with belligerence.

‘It certainly is.’ Cole smiled. Another gift. ‘And we know why you didn’t tell Mr O’Driscoll or Mr Kash how disgusted you were during that conversation. Because you were afraid of what they would do to you.’

‘I’ve already told you that.’

‘I know you did, Mr Price. Just bear with me.’ The smile widened. ‘So you’re sick to your stomach, to use your own words. You must have been itching to end that conversation then, right?’

‘Right.’

‘Because you must have been desperate to get down to the local police station, mustn’t you?’

‘What?’ Price looked confused. ‘What are you talking about now?’

‘Let’s take it in stages. What they had done had disgusted you enough to give a police statement. I mean, you did give such a statement, didn’t you?’

‘You know I did.’

‘Yes, I do. And you must have been desperate to give that statement, so disgusted were you. You must have wanted to make it as soon as you could after the 18th of December. Is that right?’

‘Yeah. Yeah, that’s right. They couldn’t be allowed get away wiv it. Not what they done.’

‘Exactly, Mr Price. And may I commend your sense of civic duty. Your sense of justice.’

‘Er . . . well I . . . er . . . fank you?’

‘You’re welcome, sir. Now, would you please look at a copy of your original handwritten statement?’ Cole looked towards a member of court staff. She was robed like the barristers, but without their wigs and traditional collars. ‘Madam Usher, would you be so kind?’

The usher approached Cole and took a small bundle of papers from his outstretched hand. Price’s first witness statement. The usher took the copy to Price and placed it on the edge of the witness box.