‘Kid’s fearless. None of you pussies would ask me a question that way, would you? I tell you, this little man is going to be in my crew when he’s grown.’ He winked at the boy. ‘Thing is, Sammy, I know a lot more things than I’m supposed to. I know the car that the shooter left the estate in had two bullet holes in the boot. I know that because the filth found it a mile away, burned out. And I know that not one of the muppets he ambushed managed to get a shot off. The only gun fired was the one that put those holes in the back of my Beemer. And the only man left standing when he drove off was you. You, Sammy, were the only man to stand up and fight. And for doing that, I’m going to employ you. A hundred quid a week to start with, paid into your own account. And all I want from you in the short term is one thing.’

‘What’s that?’

‘That, Sammy boy, is your ears. Not literally. I ain’t had anyone’s ears off for years.’

Eddie made a mental note to always make sure he had a nice sharp blade from now on. Joe would order some miscreant or other to have an earlobe carved off inside the month, now that he’d reminded himself of the idea. And it didn’t pay not to be ready for Joe’s orders.

‘You see, you’re the only person to have spoken to him. He was wearing a mask, right?’

‘Black bally.’

‘Yeah. Disguised his face, which was wise of him. But he didn’t disguise his voice. And I know he spoke to you, because you told the filth he did. So when I catch him, or even just think I’ve caught him, I’ll need your ears. You can listen to whoever I find talk, tell me if it’s him. Bet that’s one voice you’ll never forget. What did he say to you?’

‘Told us to run. Three times. And then a load of yak about how you make money from death.’

‘Enough you’d know him again.’ Samuel nodded confidently. ‘Good lad. Right, off you go. Eddie’s boys will drop you back off at home. Bet you’re a clever one, right?’

The boy nodded. ‘Top set in maths and science.’

‘I bet you are. And we’ll make good use of those skills, when you’re older. Give you some new ones too. In the meantime, keep thinking what he said to you. Because the time will come when a bloke’s life hangs off it.’

13

Saturday morning. Mickey and Wade back on duty at the Hall. Mickey surprised to find Major Cavendish waiting for him.

‘Morning, James. Don’t they give you weekends off?’

The soldier tipped his head in recognition of the point. Smiled thinly.