Had the writer meant that he’d have to be angry to do whatever it was he had in mind? Or that Katie’s death must have left him raging inside? He’d supposed that both were true.

‘What I need you to do now is think. Quickly. If you join me in doing this, the clock will start to count down from the second you pull the trigger the first time. Joe’s no fool. Given enough time he will find you. And kill you. And everyone you love. You will have to get ahead of the clock. Which will mean doing a lot of violence in a very short time. And there will be no space for second thoughts. If you’re in, you’re all in. There will be no way back.

‘All I need from you now is a single word. Yes or no. If you’re ready to consider revenge on the man whose product killed your sister, you need to tell me. Now. You don’t need the time to think. This decision will come from your guts, not your head. Take a few minutes to consider it. But if you’ve not given me the signal in 15 minutes after I see you’ve read this I’ll destroy this SIM card. And your chance of ever getting that revenge will be in the wind with me.

‘If you want to work with me, just say yes.

‘Make your mind up.

‘Do it now.’

There was a name at the bottom of the message.

‘Nemesis.’

Jesus Herbert Christ. Mickey sat and thought for a few minutes. Pros and cons.

The pros: revenge for his little sister. And the chance to put his very particular skill set to use in a way he could never have imagined.

The cons: possible death. Possible capture by the gang involved, meaning torture and death. Possible capture by the Met, meaning imprisonment, and probably death in prison. And the consequences for Roz and his parents in any of those events.

It had been a no-brainer, really. He’d replied with a single word.

‘Yes.’

On several occasions thereafter he’d received a WhatsApp message written in the same manner. The first communication had been a long one. A detailed plan. Some initial tasks to perform. And an instruction that he needed to prove himself ready for war. By killing Warren Margetson. Not the clock starter, just proof of willingness and ability. After which he’d get the detailed information he’d need to start taking vengeance in earnest. Along with a suggested modus operandi for Warren’s death. One that Mickey had followed to the letter, pretty much.

‘Perhaps your need to take blood for your sister will be satisfied by one death. Let’s find out, shall we?’