‘Good question. And the simple answer is that I’m just not done with what I do for a living yet.’

It was a subtle blend of factors. And Mickey’s self-knowledge was good enough to have worked that out. One part the satisfaction he got from taking responsibility for other people’s safety. Whoever those people were. One part the buzz of operational tension. Like a trickle charge of adrenaline. And, he was forced to admit – to himself, if no-one else – there was one more thing. The feeling of invincibility that came from being the best at what he did. From holstering a pistol and knowing he was pretty much unbeatable one on one.

‘So where will you go? Now that you’ve irritated the police badly enough for them to cough you out?’

Mickey shook his head. ‘I genuinely have no idea. But I do know there are a lot of people out there who need protecting.’

67

‘Call to order, ladies and gentlemen.’

Albie stopped gobbing off to the man next to him. His new focus of irritating chatter since Joe’s unexpected demise. And showed the appropriate respect for the meeting’s chair. In this instance, Sammy Chin. Who, having called his colleagues to the Bosphorus Cafe, got to set the agenda.

‘There are two items to discuss. Regarding the division of Castagna family assets and territory.’

He looked down at a single piece of paper.

‘Firstly, it is proposed that the immediate legitimate assets willed to Joe’s beneficiaries be allowed to proceed through probate. Joe’s wife and kids can inherit a legit business, with the appropriate supervision to ensure no move back into our field of operations.’

‘What if his son decides to come looking for payback, ten years from now? Might be better to remove that possibility?’

Sammy shook his head at Albie. Having expected the suggestion. And already canvassed the alternate point of view.

‘No. The collective has already made this decision. We’re not animals, Albie. And we don’t have to live by the old rules when it’s not necessary. With the right guidance, which Julie Castagna realises she would be wise to provide, that won’t be an issue. Joe wasn’t killed by any of us. And besides, his family get a fully functional business empire. They won’t be coming after us. So the Castagna family are off limits. Do I need to call a formal vote?’

Off limits being the gangs’ code word for “repercussions will result if this is ignored”. Something Albie knew all too well. He shook his head.

‘No need to vote, I agree.’

‘Secondly…’ Sammy looked back at the paper. ‘It is agreed that Castagna turf will be split between those present in the proportions and geographic boundaries laid out in our revised detailed territorial plan. We will now express ourselves content or otherwise.’