‘What doesn’t?’ Kash sounded confused. And nervous.

‘O’Driscoll’s decision. At least insofar as it affects you.’

‘I still don’t understand.’

‘It’s his basis of plea, Simon. I can understand why he would plead guilty. The evidence against him is fairly compelling. And I can understand why he’d want to take Terry Colliver down with him, after the evidence Colliver gave. But what I can’t understand? It’s his insistence that the prosecution stop the trial against you. That they let you go. It’s his insistence that he would only plead guilty on that condition. Why, Simon? Why would he do that?’

‘Because I’m innocent, Mr Devlin.’

There was a certainty in Kash’s voice. A strength that had never been there before.

‘So what?’ Michael was not accepting the answer. ‘He’s a stone-cold killer. A ruthless bastard. You’ve told us that yourself.’

‘Yes.’

‘And he was bullying and manipulating you throughout this whole thing, wasn’t he? Right up until I got you moved away from him. Until I had you moved to a different prison?’

‘Yes.’

‘So why would a person like that suddenly do you a favour? Why would he suddenly do the right thing by you, after you’d let me off the leash? After you’d let me attack him in front of the jury?’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I prosecuted him better than Peter Epstein ever did. It was my cross-examination that left him with no option but to plead. A cross-examination that was done on your behalf and which makes you the one that convicted him. And yet he’s suddenly doing you a favour. It doesn’t make sense.’

‘I . . . I . . . I can’t explain it if you can’t, Mr Devlin. You’re the smart one. If you don’t understand it then—’

‘Stop it, Simon.’ Michael’s voice was firm. An instruction to be obeyed. He had finally had enough. ‘Stop the act.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You know what I mean. You know exactly what I mean. I’ve spoken to Darren O’Driscoll’s barrister. And so I know why Darren changed his plea. I know why Matt Cole was so ineffective against Colliver on Friday; why he didn’t suggest that it was you and Colliver who killed the Galloways. I know why you’re walking out of here today.’

Kash looked shocked. Shocked and afraid. As nervous as Michael had ever seen him.

Draper stepped in.

‘Michael, I don’t know what this is about but please. You shouldn’t be acting this way to—’

‘To little Simon?’ Michael interrupted, his voice filled with disdain. He turned back to Kash. ‘Come on, Simon. It’s over. Whatever happens, you walk. So cut the shit.’

‘Mr Devlin, I don’t . . . I don’t . . .’

Kash did not finish the sentence. He stopped himself. For a moment he was silent. Lost in his own mind. And then he did something that Michael alone had expected.

He broke into a broad, arrogant smile.

Both Michael and Draper looked on as Kash pushed himself back into his chair. As he adjusted his posture. Subtle movements. They made him seem taller. Older.