‘The Clarion’s news editor? We’ve broken bread a few times.’

‘So I gather. But you’ve never passed her any stories? Unofficially, I mean. We’re not talking about your routine virtue signalling in the media. I mean personal information. About serving officers. And not necessarily true.’

Jasmine started to bridle at the very suggestion. As if unable to believe that he was asking the question. And then realised that Mickey was staring at the recorder. And in the space of a couple of seconds, her face flushed scarlet. Mickey nodded slowly. Oh yes. It’s every bit as bad as you’ve suddenly realised. She reached out and put a finger on the recorder’s stop button.

‘Interview temporarily suspended by AC Chen.’ And stopped the recording. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Let’s level with each other, Assistant Commissioner. Me first. After all, confession is supposed to be good for the soul.’ Mickey nodded. ‘Yes, it was me. I killed the drug dealer who poisoned my sister. I am the Car Park Killer. It was me who raided Number 37. I also killed a Castagna enforcer by the name of Lewis Dearlove, but you probably haven’t got me in the frame for that. And, when Castagna threatened my family, I mounted a raid on his hideout. There was no gang war. Just me. Although that last one needed help from some people you’d be very wise not to go looking for. Which you’ll already know, if you’ve recovered CCTV of the attack.’

He leaned back in the chair.

‘And I can confidently predict that you’ll never prosecute me for any of it.’ Smiling in the face of her incredulity. ‘How do I know that? We’ll get to that in a minute. Because that’s not all I know.’

She leaned back in her chair. Her panic of a moment before on the back burner. Too busy digesting his confession.

‘Go on then. What else do you know?’

‘I know that you’re going to recommend my honourable early retirement from the Metropolitan Police Service. With a payoff and a disability pension for PTSD.’

She started. Shot him a disbelieving stare.

‘Are you fucking mad? You’re a mass murderer! You’ve just told me everything I need to have you jailed for the rest of your life!’

Mickey shrugged. ‘Nobody else heard it. And you’d better pray it stays that way. Because if the next thing I’m going to tell you ever gets out, you’re done.’

‘Done?’

‘As in also retired. But dishonourably. In disgrace. Am I really worth that much sacrifice? I mean, full marks to you if I am. And to me, I suppose. But really?’

Jasmine stared at him for a moment.

‘I think you’re bluffing. What can you possibly have—?’