‘At least not in your own hand, no.’ Michael smiled one last time. ‘But you did tell him what to say in it, didn’t you, Mr Colliver?’

Colliver stared downwards, dejected.

‘And you did that because you needed just a little more evidence to put Simon Kash in your place, right there next to Darren O’Driscoll.’

No response.

‘To have Simon Kash accused of the crime you committed with Darren O’Driscoll.’

Michael felt a surge of triumph. He expected no answer.

‘Your silence says it all, Mr Colliver. I have no more questions.’

Michael took his seat and looked across to Epstein, who was slowly rising to his feet to re-examine. A re-examination that did not come.

A noise from the back of court turned every head.

Darren O’Driscoll was on his feet in the dock. Away from Simon Kash. He appeared calm as he called out across the court.

‘Judge. I wanna see my brief. I wanna see him now.’

SIXTY-FOUR

‘Michael. I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you.’

Draper’s tone was sincere and maybe a little nervous. The voice of a person proved wrong in the most emphatic manner.

Michael had not spoken to anyone since his final words to Terry Colliver. His determination to save Simon Kash had combined with his usual courtroom adrenaline to see him through the cross-examination. It had allowed him to do his job as effectively as he ever had. Maybe more effectively.

But now it was over, he felt utterly drained. He was barely even aware of where they were, having made the silent trip to the Old Bailey cells on autopilot. An unthinking routine. Until this moment, Michael’s mind had been somewhere else entirely.

When the sound of Draper’s voice broke through, he turned to face her.

‘What . . . sorry, what are you apologising for?’ Michael asked, forcing himself back into the present.

‘For doubting you.’ Draper was equally confused. ‘I thought I’d annoyed you when I said you shouldn’t be cross-examining today. After . . . well, after what happened with Derek.’

‘Why would that annoy me? It’s your job to second-guess me. It’d be wrong if you hadn’t asked.’

‘Really?’ Draper’s tone changed from nervous to a mix of hope and relief. A rare moment of vulnerability amid her usual sheen of polished confidence. Draper was keen to explain further. ‘I thought that was why you weren’t speaking to me. I thought I’d really pissed you off.’

‘Then I’m the one who should be sorry. You did your job, and you did what I would have done in the circumstances. You must never apologise for that. It’s what makes you the exceptional barrister you are.’

‘I . . . er . . . I . . .’ Draper was flustered. And blushing. Two more firsts.

‘So I’m sorry if I clammed up. And if I was short with you this morning. It’s just . . . it’s just there’s a lot going on right now.’

‘You mean Derek?’