Jeffrey Palmer was impressed, but not really shocked; he had expected nothing less. He knew that Michael Flynn would insist on his total dedication to the cause he had offered him, and he was more than willing to do that. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. ‘That is a given, Michael. When do you want me to start?’

Michael laughed loudly, with genuine humour; he had known from day one that Jeffrey Palmer would bite his hand off for this opportunity. Getting up, he poured them both large whiskies and, when they were once more settled, he said seriously, ‘I will walk you through it, from start to finish, do the introductions to the hierarchy – that’s who you will be dealing with from now on. I know you have already tapped into them for your own gain, and that is a big plus as far as I am concerned. Just keep in mind that you are there for me in the future.’

It was a warning.

Jeffrey Palmer smiled. He had good teeth – teeth that he had inherited from his mother, and his sons had been lucky enough to inherit them too. His mother was Irish, strong as an ox, and he could see himself in her. His father, on the other hand, had never been more than a distant memory. He had been murdered when Jeffrey was two years old, shot to death over a game of poker. It wasn’t a death worth commemorating; the man had been a piece of shit. Jeffrey had always sworn that his life would amount to something, that he would not be the kind of man his father was – an East-End bullyboy, whose only aim in life was to drink, gamble and engage in small-time villainy to achieve those ends. Jeffrey had made something of himself, lived down his father’s name, and his father’s memory. Now, thanks to Michael Flynn, he would be able to reach his full potential.

‘Listen, Michael, I will do whatever is needed. You know that. I have to ask, though, how much product are we dealing with?’

‘A lot more than anyone realises, Jeff. We are shifting about ninety keys a week, and that’s just the cocaine. It’s big business. We supply everyone who’s anyone. Nothing moves without my express say-so.’

Jeffrey Palmer was suitably impressed. He was also working out his cut of the take. ‘I understand. It’s a big responsibility.’

Michael nodded his agreement, before saying sarcastically, ‘I know.’