‘Tell you what …’ The newcomer remained seated, unconcerned that O’Grady was edging around the desk towards him, still staring down the barrel of his stubby but powerful pistol. ‘Instead of going to eighty-twenty, which obviously would be ridiculous – wouldn’t be worth you and your two boys getting out of bed, would it? – I’m going to give you a couple of days to clear your head of all this “I’m still the big man” nonsense.’

Only now did he stand up, apparently more interested in brushing bits of dust from his jacket than he was in the firearm trained on his head from less than four feet away. ‘Just remember, this deal is non-negotiable. And it’s going to happen.’ He moved to the door, where he stopped and half-turned. ‘All you’ve got to think about are the terms. But think about them properly, Miles, because so far you’ve done a hell of a job skewing them against you.’

When the man was halfway down the shabby staircase, O’Grady stumbled into the doorway at the top, his pistol still drawn but pointed at the floor.

‘I’m not frightened of you, McCracken!’

Frank McCracken looked back up at him. ‘There you are … told you you knew us.’

‘I’ve met people like you all my career.’

‘Uh-uh.’ McCracken shook his head. ‘You know why, pal? You’re still here.’

As McCracken emerged from the building, the phone began chirping in his pocket. He took it out as he strolled towards his waiting Bentley Continental, smiling to himself when he saw who the caller was. He slowed to a halt next to the car.

‘Cora …?’

‘Frank!’ Cora sounded surprised that he’d answered. ‘I’ve called you a few times since you sent me those flowers. Why can I never get you?’

He stuck a hand into his suit pocket, affecting a nonchalant pose in case O’Grady happened to peek down from a window. ‘It’s not always convenient, I’m afraid.’

‘Yeah, well … it wasn’t exactly convenient for me when those flowers arrived. As you can imagine, our Lucy’s played hell over it.’

‘Yeah, I can imagine. I’m sorry, love … I’m a busy man. I sometimes have to screen calls.’

Cora didn’t comment on that, no doubt because she knew what his businesses involved and didn’t want to hear any more about them than was necessary.

‘What was the reason for it?’ she asked, still sounding stern. ‘What are you up to, Frank?’

‘What do you mean what am I up to?’

‘Well … I wish I could believe that you’d remembered my birthday because you’re a thoughtful guy who likes to stay in contact with his old friends, but it’s thirty-odd years since you last gave any indication of that.’