‘The Car Park Massacre though, that was something else, right? Four men, all armed, taken down by a masked gunman who left no trace. No DNA, no footprints. Even collected up his spent brass before setting fire to God alone knows how much money. A pro job, no doubt about it.’

‘AC Chen told you that?’

‘She didn’t have to. Most of it’s common knowledge, if you ask the right people. But she did hint pretty strongly that whoever did it has to be pretty highly trained. Ex-military, perhaps. Which could make the two shooters one and the same person. Somebody with a grudge, perhaps.’

‘And your editor wants to do what with this, precisely?’

‘Nothing, for the time being. There’s nothing to go on, as the policeman said when his toilet was stolen.’

Mickey grinned, despite himself. Wondering if this was an opportunity he hadn’t seen coming. Or just a chance to fuck up very royally indeed.

‘So…’

Mickey paused, not sure if he was going to take the next step. Tamara accepted her second cocktail from the barman in the gap. Shot Mickey the “ready to rebuff tonight’s proposition” look.

‘What if I could get you an exclusive on Joe Castagna?’

The cocktail glass stopped halfway to her lips. Not the proposition she’d been expecting.

‘What sort of exclusive?’

Careful, Mickey, he told himself.

‘I’ve been a copper for over twenty years. Which means I know a lot of people in the Job. Some of whom, you might be surprised to hear, also have a raging hard-on for Joe. They’ll know things about his empire that would make for front-page material any day of the week, if your editor’s serious about it.’

‘Yeah, but what sort—’

‘Not yet. If I give you anything – anything – you have to keep my name out of it. Nothing in writing, nothing recorded. Agreed?’

‘Of course.’

Her tone deadly serious. Margarita forgotten. Mickey thought quickly.

‘You want to make the jump into photojournalism, be more than just a snapper, I might be able to make that happen. But if I get the chance to put you in the right place at the right time, you can’t fuck about. You have to promise to be where I tell you, when I tell you to be there. And to do exactly what I tell you, when I tell you. Miss the chance, it won’t be along again. Fuck it up through ignoring the instructions, same goes.’

She nodded, suddenly quiet, clearly trying to work out what it was he was offering her.

‘And in return?’ Her look knowing.

‘Nothing. I’m happily married, and I have all the money I want.’

Which was true. Prot paid well enough, and his and Roz’s lifestyle had never been lavish. And Mickey knew better than to go over the side. Both ethically and with regard to his personal safety.