‘A lowlife like that, who no one cares about, could be just what we’re looking for,’ said Jake. It seemed Angus was learning fast.

‘I’m not going to get our guys into trouble, Mr Lambrianu; I’ve been in prison with most of them. That’s why an outsider like him, who thinks he’s on the inside, we can all afford to lose. Your choice, you’re the boss.’

Even Tony thought Angus’s argument couldn’t be any fairer than that; he just didn’t like the idea that maybe all this power was going to Angus’s head.

‘I’m going to trust you on this, Angus, as long as you remember I’m your boss. Cross me and I’ll slit your throat. Do you hear me?’ Tony’s eyes darkened and he stared at Angus with that cold chilling stare of his.

Angus was upset; he turned to Jake. ‘Jake, man, help me out here.’ He spread his hands out in wonder and innocence. ‘It was only a wee suggestion; you know I’m not going to piss down your back and tell you it’s raining. Aye, Jake, you know that.’

‘Calm down, Angus. It’s just that this is a delicate job, and there is no room for mistakes or careless whispers, okay?’ Jake was trying to ease the situation.

Tony didn’t particularly like outsiders. He had his own army that he could trust, but he had to admit, using some lowlife scumbag protected his own men.

Tony nodded at Angus. ‘Jake’s right, you’ve done a good job, and it’s time I trusted your judgement.’ Tony held out his hand to shake Angus’s.

Tony turned to leave and Jake shook Angus’s hand. ‘Don’t worry, Angus, we’ll be in touch when the time is right, okay?’

‘Aye, laddie.’ He shook his head. ‘I didn’t mean to upset him, you know. Man, he can turn as quick as a slippery eel.’

‘I know, Angus.’ Jake patted him on the back and started to leave.

Tony really does need a holiday, he thought to himself. It can’t come soon enough. Although Angus’s turns of phrase about slippery eels and pissing down your back might be weird, he was absolutely right; Tony could turn on you very quickly, at any time. Everyone knew that, which was how he kept all those hard prisoners in order.

‘Bye, Elsie,’ shouted Jake, as he walked down the stairs. Even though Angus’s wife had made herself scarce he knew for a fact she would have been listening in on the conversation; she couldn’t help herself. That made him laugh; now she would go upstairs and give poor old Angus a piece of her mind, for upsetting Tony.

‘Did you really need to threaten him?’ Jake said, when they were back in the car. ‘His work has been excellent. Your money is always in full and on time, sometimes even earlier.’

‘I know, Jake, but it doesn’t hurt to remind people I’m watching them. Just because I’m on the other side of London doesn’t mean I haven’t got my eye on him. Out of sight, out of mind, eh? No, that’s not how I work.’