The shotgun lowered. It was subtle. The man almost seemed to sleepwalk another step closer. Joel stayed put. Nicholas’s eyes dropped to the floor. Joel was just about to start the appeal phase, his negotiator training still there when he needed it, but Nicholas suddenly lifted the gun back so it was level with Joel’s chest. He stepped forward again. There was intent in his movement. The barrel was almost close enough to touch Joel.

‘What would you do if someone was going to lock you up, stop you seeing your daughter again? You would fight to the last, wouldn’t you?’ Nicholas’s face cracked with emotion. ‘I could blow you away and get out of here.’

‘You could, but you won’t,’ Joel said, hoping he sounded far more convinced than he felt.

‘Why won’t I?’ The gun twitched.

‘Because this was all about justice and about Emma. Everything for a reason. There’s no reason to murder me. Or Richard. The only way to see Emma again is to put that down. Let me deal with the man who did that to your daughter.’

Nicholas pulled the gun higher, enough that Joel could look directly down the barrel and through the iron sights to where the man stared back. The gun was shaking, it was heavy, he wouldn’t be able to hold it for long. ‘No!’ he said, ‘you lot had your chance!’

‘Callie’s fine. You attacked the wrong girl!’ Joel blurted, his hands outstretched.

‘You’re lying!’ There was no shake now. The gun was still levelled.

‘The girl in the next bed over. Callie’s mother swapped their names. An innocent girl, nothing to do with any of this. It’s over. Whatever you were trying to do, you failed. Give it up.’ Joel was pleading with him now. He hadn’t wanted to bring up Callie, he couldn’t be sure how he would react, but it was all he had left. Nicholas hesitated and the gun sagged. He stepped back, now too far away for Joel to reach him. But Joel had nothing else left. He was preparing to lunge.

Richard must have seen his opportunity.