I speak clearly into the phone. ‘Did you get that, Tommy? Stand down.’

‘Say again? Was it stand down or go to town? Because I can go to town on this old lady right now.’

‘Stand down, you crazy bastard. Do not hurt Mrs Madden.’

‘Okay, Sarge. Copy. Keep tabs, though, right?’

‘That’s a roger,’ I say. Military speak always unsettles civilians.

‘I’m off for a pint then, if there’s no shooting to be done. Talk to you tomorrow?’

‘Tomorrow and every day.’

Tommy hangs up and I fold the phone into my pocket.

‘You see how it is, Mike.’

Mike is dazed now, arms dangling by his sides, eyes heavy-lidded.

‘Yeah, I see. What do you want?’

I roll slowly to my knees, and from there make the mammoth transition to standing upright.

‘This is not a shakedown, Mike. All you have to do is go home. It’s as simple as that. Everything else stays the same. Zeb does your check-ups, I pay protection and I’ll even throw in Vic’s debt. Everyone’s as happy as they can be without true love.’

‘I’m not happy,’ moans Zeb. ‘I got fucking shot.’

I hoist him up by the elbow. ‘You needed to get shot. This is all your fault.’

‘Who you talking to? Real Zeb or Ghost Zeb?’

I really hope Zeb develops post-traumatic amnesia. Maybe I should give him a few more of his own pills.

Mike is working his fists, like he has walnuts in there. ‘Okay. We’re out of here. This never happened. One word of this around town and I got no choice but to take action.’

My jaw is hurting now and I feel like taking a pop at Mike to speed him on his way, but I hold back.

‘Fair enough.’

‘I want my Lexus back.’

‘I’ll drive it over tomorrow.’

‘With Vic’s debt, plus interest.’

These guys and their interest.

‘Screw your interest, Mike. The rates are too fluid with you people.’

Mike nods slowly, trying to find some closure. This is a long-term arrangement, but a man like him needs the final word. Otherwise he may just say screw it, kill the both of us, get a black armband and wear a hat for the rest of his life.

The gang boss takes two steps towards the back door, then hesitates. He turns back, settling the soft cap over his head of scabs. From the look on his face I’d say he’s thought of a few final words.

‘My mother is an old woman,’ he says. ‘She could go at any time. After that there are a few cousins but I could give a fuck about them. So the clock is ticking, laddies. When Ma dies, I’m coming after you.’

Those are pretty good words.

CHAPTER 13

I call Deacon from outside the store. She’s at the hospital with a guy on the door.