Declan was interested in how his brother would react to Michael’s news. He almost wished he’d kept his trap shut earlier. He trusted the boy implicitly – he should have known nothing was certain with his brother. But Michael was his blue-eyed boy, for fuck’s sake! Declan wasn’t bothered by the favouritism. He was more than happy with his earns. Patrick’s interest had never been in the bread and butter side of the business, he had always craved the more exotic earns. Declan was quite happy that Patrick left him to get on with it. His brother was a difficult man to work alongside, with a terrible need to control everyone, everything, and every deal that he saw as being within his personal remit. He was basically a massive pain in the arse. Declan loved him dearly, but he was aware that he had never been quick enough mentally for Patrick. He had always known his brother was the brains of the family, but he didn’t feel inferior to his brother in any way. He was proud of him, and he was more than happy with his place in the Costello businesses.

Declan saw in Michael Flynn the same quick brain, and the same resolve that was so much a part of Patrick’s make up. It was why his brother had taken to the lad, and why he himself understood the boy’s importance to the firm.

Declan watched his brother as he flexed his muscles and made his point.

‘You know me, Michael. I always like to know the score. I make sure that I am never in a position of weakness. It’s nothing personal, Michael, I just feel that it’s in my interest to know everything about everyone.’

Michael was not fazed. He would have done the same himself. ‘I’m impressed, Pat. But I think you’ll see the logic of it.’

Patrick sipped at his drink noisily before saying, ‘He’s Jonny Barber’s boy, Michael.’

Michael shrugged nonchalantly. Declan was impressed with the boy’s complete disregard of his brother. He had such confidence in himself, it was a pleasure to listen to him. He would not be another of his brother’s yes men. But Michael Flynn was not arrogant – he genuinely wanted to bring in an earn.

‘We want the Barbers out of the way, so what’s the fucking difference? They’re all cunts. Why do you think I cultivated Oates when I got the chance? He’s an all right geezer, and the Barbers have treated him in a diabolical fashion. None of the people they have around them are even remotely happy with the circumstances of their employment. They shit on their own doorstep, rip off their own – they don’t seem to understand that times have changed. I have done no more than open up a dialogue with Oates and he was thrilled, believe me. It’s the next step, Pat.’