‘And Tina.’ Michael was half speaking to himself as he said the name, his rage increasing as the picture came together. ‘I told you how to get to Tina, too.’

‘Yes, you did.’ The ugly smile returned. ‘You signed your own death warrant. And you signed Tina’s, too. Right there in that house. And now you’ve done the same to your little barrister girlfriend, too. And just so you know, it doesn’t stop there.’

Hirst indicated the large mausoleum as he spoke.

‘Because there’s one more thing I want you to know before you die. I want you to know that your bitch Sarah Truman is gonna be right behind you. Consider it your special bonus. Just for being you. For being the fucker who put me away.’

The words hit Michael harder than any physical blow. It brought a series of images flashing through his mind. Derek’s body, brutally mutilated. Eleven-year-old Tina Barker, traumatised and depending on him. Jenny, with her confident poise. And Sarah. The most important person in Michael’s life. His reason for being. Her life threatened by the evil that stood before him.

It was more than Michael could bear.

‘You’ll get nowhere near my family, you sick fuck.’ Michael’s voice was low. Almost a growl. The sound of a cornered animal.

‘There he is.’ The mockery was gone. So was the smile. Only the cruelty remained. ‘There’s the thing I saw in that alley last night.’

Hirst began to circle Michael, who matched him step for step. A cobra and a mongoose. Both ready to strike. Only in this fight, the cobra carried a pistol.

‘I was surprised, Michael,’ Hirst continued.

Michael hardly heard the words. Like Hirst, his sole focus was on the man in front of him. And so neither noticed the distant sound that was beginning to break the silence.

‘I was surprised to see what you’re capable of. Lucky for me, because I was gonna just use this.’

Hirst pulled an eight-inch hunting knife from the back of his waistband and brandished it in his left hand.

‘But when I saw you take those three guys that fast? I thought I’d best bring a little insurance.’

He indicated the pistol. Still held in his right. Still aimed at Michael.

‘You don’t care whether you’re good enough without the gun?’ Michael’s focus was absolute. He inched closer to Hirst as he asked the question.

‘Can’t say I’m not intrigued.’ Hirst’s eyes were fixed. Aware of every move Michael was making. ‘But I think I’ll stick to the easy way.’

Hirst’s words were the perfect signal. They told Michael that Hirst was about to shoot. At this distance he could not miss. And Michael could do nothing to stop him.

But he would at least try.

Hirst must have seen Michael’s movement before it began; the telltale muscle tension was impossible to disguise. But even if he did not, the speed difference between a physical rush and a bullet was just too much to overcome.