Kevin thought frantically. “I’ll get you new dealers. I’ll make them sell…” And then he remembered one piece of new information he had, but could he interest Malky in it? He’d sent that bitch to barge into Mack’s shop, and she’d seen how close Mack was to her new friend. They were almost kissing. “Mack,” Kevin shouted.

“What about Mack the dyke? What about her?”

“There’s a woman in the shop next door to her barber’s that she’s grown close to. I’ve been watching Mack.”

“She’s shagging a bit close to home. Not like her. Once she gets tired of her bird, she’ll not be able to get rid of her.”

“This is different. The woman isn’t her usual type,” Kevin said.

Malky turned to face him. “How?”

“She’s in her sweet shop multiple times a day, and they go walking that stupid wee dog of hers after lunch every day. The other shop staff on the street say that she’s weird, a bit backward, or something’s wrong with her.”

“Interesting,” Malky said. “What in fuck’s name would Mack be interested in someone like that for?”

“An easy fuck?” Daniel said.

“I don’t know,” Kevin said, “but she’s really protective of her.”

Malky flicked his head, and Daniel pulled him back from the edge. Kevin felt like he was going to vomit, and he had no idea how his jelly legs were keeping him upright.

Malky grabbed him by his jacket and said, “You’ve got one chance. Get my drugs on those streets, and get me Mack through this sweetie woman, and I’ll cancel your debt to me. If not…”

Kevin felt a gun at the back of his head. “It might take some time to get a plan worked out. I need to work out their movements.”

“I can be patient when there is a prize at the end of it. I want Mack, her uncle Thomas, and the fucking so-called Queen of the Streets. There’s going to be a King of the Streets. You’ve got a month, Kev. No more.”

“Thank you, Mr. McDade, thank you.”

“Pick up the new gear from me in the morning. Let’s go, Daniel. You can make your own way back, Kev.”

Kevin was happy to. He didn’t want to be in Malky’s company any more than he had to.

He watched Malky and his men get back into the car, and before shutting the door, Malky shouted, “One month, Kev.”

As soon as the car drove away, Kevin’s resolve left him, and he fell to his knees and vomited.

* * *