Michael listened carefully. He respected Declan’s opinion. He had a lot more going for him than anyone realised. Patrick used to joke that Declan was like a tree who didn’t quite manage to reach the top branches, but he was a lot shrewder than people gave him credit for.

‘I am aware of all that, Declan, but I’m asking what do you think about Jeffrey Palmer? I can’t believe he opened up to Charlie Carter! The man’s a fucking card-carrying, paid-up moron, who now knows who we deal with, how and when we deal with them, and what we earn from them. That is a dangerous fucking combination. What was that cunt thinking? I would have laid money on him having the nous to keep his fucking business to himself.’

Declan laughed. ‘He was thinking about money, Michael. What else? You might guarantee him a good fucking wedge, but I bet Carter can offer him a better one. They are mates as well, and that is the danger, see? Jeffrey can’t see that he is dealing with people you chose, who you know are safe, who have proved their worth over and over again. Jeffrey Palmer doesn’t know anything about them, he’s never even heard of them. He can only see his mate, and the benefits of working with someone he knows well. He has been told he can earn a lot more money if he can persuade you to change suppliers. It’s the old story, Michael. Though I have to say, Charlie Carter will swallow a tug. He is a man who knows when to shut his trap.’

Michael sighed heavily. ‘I know all that, Declan. You are hardly giving me a fucking lesson in life are you? What do you think I should do about it? That is the fucking question.’

Declan smiled lazily. ‘You want me to suggest you take out Palmer, Carter and anyone else who you think needs to be silenced? Well, I won’t, Michael. I think you need to give Palmer a good fright, and Carter as well. After all, they aren’t going to confront you, or try and usurp your position, are they? I bet they are at panic stations already. But, remember this, if you stay your hand now, Jeffrey Palmer will never forget how close he came to dying. It’s a learning curve for him.’

Michael laughed. ‘If Patrick were here they would all be in blindfolds and smoking their last cigarettes.’

Declan shook his head. ‘You’re wrong. Patrick would have used this against them, and guaranteed their loyalty for life. Unless, of course, he was on one of his fucking mental half hours, then he would have killed everyone anyway, whether they had fucked him off or not.’

They laughed together then, knowing how true that was.

‘Fucking hell. He could turn on a coin, could old Patrick.’