The DS nodded sympathetically. ‘Can you think of anyone who might have a grudge against your dad? Maybe someone he’s recently had an argument or some kind of falling-out with?’

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. His father had probably upset hundreds of people over the years, but he could hardly tell the filth that, could he?

‘What about them young kids dad was having grief with? You know, the kids he was talking about on Christmas Eve?’ Paulie said, remembering the conversation in the pub.

Eddie repeated the story, and then told the copper that he’d had enough. ‘Me head’s all over the place. I’ve just found me father with his brains hanging out, for fuck’s sake. Any other questions are gonna have to wait.’

Topping up his brandy, Eddie dragged Paulie out into the garden. ‘I bet the O’Haras have got something to do with this. Seems funny it’s happened just after Butch died.’

Paulie shook his head. ‘It’s too unprofessional for them. They’d have just shot Dad through the head; they wouldn’t have bothered to ransack the place.’

Eddie shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t put anything past them pikey scumbags. How do you know they ain’t just made it look like a burglary to cover it up?’

Paulie handed his brother a cigarette. ‘You’re barking up the wrong tree, Ed. I mean, Dad told us about them kids he’d had grief with and, if you want my opinion, it looks like the work of young ’uns.’

Eddie disagreed. ‘Dad might have been knocking on, but he was still as strong as an ox. He’d have killed a couple of kids with his bare hands. This is the work of men, strong men, you mark my words.’

‘Excuse me, Mr Mitchell.’

Eddie dobbed out his fag and walked towards the DS.

‘We’re going to do some house-to-house enquiries. In such a residential area, we’re sure somebody must have seen or heard something.’

Eddie nodded and looked at Paulie. Fuck the police: he would be doing his own house-to-house enquiries. ‘Me and you had better start making some phone calls. You ring Ronny, then Uncle Albert and get hold of Reg. I’ll ring Raymond and I’ll have to try and contact Gary and Ricky, somehow. Don’t let anyone tell Auntie Joan, Paulie. The shock’ll fucking kill her. I’ll wait till she gets back from her friend’s and go and tell her in person. Don’t let anyone tell Sylvie either. She was courting the old man for years, and it’s only right that I tell her meself. It’s what Dad would have wanted.’

Paulie nodded. His dad was barely cold and already he felt like a spare part. Eddie gave out the orders and, like a mug, he just obeyed.