There was no chance that Hirst could be responsible for Longman and Blunt’s deaths. Not while he was still a prisoner. Michael knew that. But for some reason he still felt anxious.

In the few short weeks they had known him, Karl Hirst had played a huge role in their lives. He had almost been a stumbling block to the friendship that had followed, and so his was a name they never discussed. And yet it was a name that Michael would forever connect to his pupil-master, to his own past mistakes, and to the loyalty Reid had shown to Michael all those years ago.

A loyalty that had gone unspoken ever since.

The memory made Michael think of Derek Reid, sitting alone and mourning Phillip Longman. And it made Michael want to be there for his friend, just as his friend had been there for him all those years ago.

For now, however, that would have to wait.

Simon Kash shuffled into the interview room, handcuffed to the same muscular custody officer that had accompanied him from day one. Kash looked as small as ever in comparison, but he also looked engaged. Hope can sometimes be visible in a person. Michael had seen it before, with other clients, but never as clearly as today. It shone from Kash’s eyes.

It was barely five minutes since Michael’s message to Sarah. The Old Bailey’s custody suite was always quieter in the early afternoon. None of the log-jams that blight the mornings. It allowed the lawyers quicker access, and more time with their clients.

Michael intended to waste none of it.

‘Did you follow what happened in court this afternoon, Simon?’

‘I think so, yeah.’ Kash’s tone was hesitant. The voice of a man who hoped he had understood correctly. ‘Mr Cole made it look like Jay had made it up. That he had lied for Colliver to put the blame on us.’

‘That’s right, Simon.’ This time Draper spoke. ‘And Mr Cole did it very, very well. The jury were not happy with Price by the end.’

‘But Jay stood his ground.’ Kash’s eyes had shifted to Draper. ‘He didn’t admit he was lying, did he?’

‘That’s not how it really works, Simon.’ Michael again. ‘This isn’t Perry Mason.’

Kash’s eyes showed no hint of name recognition. Michael struggled for an alternative. Rumpole? LA Law? Boston Legal? None would mean anything to the boy.

Michael took an alternative route.

‘What I mean, Simon, is that this isn’t TV. It’s not a film. This is real life. And in real life witnesses almost never cave in and admit that they’re lying.’

‘Then how do you beat them?’

‘You do exactly what Matt Cole just did to Jay Price. You tie them up in knots. You get them to a place where their only choice is to either break and tell the truth, or to look ridiculous by continuing with their lie. They almost always choose to look ridiculous. Just like Price did.’