Tommy was an old-fashioned businessman and he prided himself on selling a good quality product. But as Nathan was the man in charge of distributing and cutting that product, he’d decided that no one would notice if he made it go that little bit further. So, for every hundred grand Tommy made, Nathan made another twenty-five or so on the side. It had been a great little earner for him. Tommy was getting soft in his old age. Nathan probably would have got away with it forever if he hadn’t brought that stupid little slut, Shannon, in on it with him. He needed somewhere to cut what he had siphoned off, somewhere that no one else knew about and Shannon’s place had seemed the obvious choice. She was an old friend of his who had no connection to Tommy or anyone else he knew. But, she must have blabbed to someone. The stupid bitch. He’d deal with her later.

‘What do you think, Tommy?’ he said, staring the older man down.

‘I think that if it is true, you’re the greediest, stupidest bastard I’ve ever met. I’ve treated you like a son, and I would hope this is not how you repay me. So, answer me, is it true? Look me in the eye and tell me that it’s not.’

Nathan looked him in the eye, but he didn’t say a word, and in that moment, Tommy realized that the rumours were not rumours at all.

Nathan knew that Tommy had invited him to his office on his own for several reasons. Mostly, because he expected him to say that he was still a loyal soldier, and that he’d never double-cross the great Tommy McNulty. Because Tommy respected him, and also because of Tommy’s arrogance, and his belief that he was untouchable. That was a big mistake. It was Nathan who was untouchable. He was fucking invincible.

Before Tommy could reach for the gun, which Nathan knew he kept under his desk, Nathan had pulled the knife from the pocket of his coat on the chair. He plunged it straight into Tommy’s throat. He watched the horror and disbelief in Tommy’s eyes as he started to slip away, choking on his own blood. Nathan continued stabbing him repeatedly, with each thrust the rage in him abated, until finally he barely had the strength to lift his arm.