‘That’s a result anyway.’ Alan looked pleased. ‘How’s the dog-breeding going these days?’

Donna was more than aware that Alan was changing the subject.

‘Oh, the dogs are doing fine,’ Jamesie said, satisfaction in his voice. ‘I had another one of my boys won Crufts last year. I can’t lose with them. I must show you around the kennels, Donna, I know you’ll be impressed. My dogs get the works - central heating, the best food - nothing is too good for them.’

She smiled, glad to be back on a subject she understood. ‘I’d love to see the kennels, thank you.’

She sipped her wine, wondering what the hell she was doing chatting about dogs, Crufts and Armalite rifles!

The prison was in darkness. Georgio rolled over on his bunk, unable to sleep. He could hear Chopper whistling through his teeth, a sound that drove him to distraction.

‘You awake, Georgio?’

‘What do you think?’

Chopper laughed softly in the darkness.

‘I had a feeling you might be having a bit of trouble with your zeds. Listen to me. I think Lewis has had it, don’t you?’

Georgio shook his head wearily. ‘Oh Chopper, just how well do you know old Donald? Only, I remember when he got shot in the early seventies. He took six bullets, was left for dead, and three weeks later the man who tried to finish him was found tied up, gagged and tortured to death. Until you see Lewis go in the ground, mate, with your own eyes, don’t bank on nothing.’

Chopper absorbed Georgio’s words. Then ‘I know he’s a hard old bugger, but every dog has its day.’

Georgio sat up. Swinging his legs over the side of the bunk, he scratched his stomach aimlessly.

‘Well, I have a feeling that Lewis’s days are still here, know what I mean? You forget he still owns a good portion of this nick. Now his nancy boys might have taken the coon’s side today, but once Lewis hobbles back on this wing, he’ll take over the reins again. Believe me, because I know him. I know him bloody well. He would buy all he needed. He’s mega rich, and mega bad. He is, in fact, your worst nightmare, because once he finds out what’s been going down, he’ll pay everyone back. And pay them back as viciously as possible.’

‘You seem to know a lot about him?’

Georgio answered with a toughness in his voice he didn’t really feel: ‘Listen, Chopper, I knew Lewis from a kid. My old man knew him. Unlike most hard men, the stories you hear about him are true. You wouldn’t need to exaggerate them. I know for a fact that he’s been responsible for the murders of a good many blokes, and a few women too. He is bad, exceptionally bad. Go careful.’