Jack realised that JoJo was trying to calm him down. It seemed he didn’t entirely trust his partner to keep a level head. That knowledge should have upset Jack.

It didn’t.

Jack Coyne knew his own capabilities, none better. Sometimes it was the only thing that gave him the edge in the world he lived in. Jack knew he was a heavy, a bully boy, a pimp. He was good at it and it was a lucrative business. It had kept his head above water for years and eventually it had given him a lot of money and a lot of happiness. He didn’t want to endanger this life he had created because of JoJo or that bastard Georgio.

‘Listen, Jack, how about I ring up Alan and tell him he’ll have to find two other mugs to oversee things this end? We can’t be expected to watch over Calder now, not without trouble. Alan will see the sense in that. This way, we’re out of the jump and Georgio can think what the fuck he likes. Shall I do that, eh?’

Jack digested what JoJo said and finally, after what seemed an age, he smiled agreement.

JoJo relaxed. He wanted an out and now he had one. For all his big talk about Nick, he didn’t particularly want another run-in with him. What he did want was the money from the scam and to disappear off the face of the earth.

It was untold riches, and unlike Jack, JoJo had no qualms about what he was doing. He would get himself overseas, give himself a new identity, and set up the business in a big way. It was the money-making scam of the future, and whatever legislation they brought in, it was here to stay.

‘Do you think Alan will go for this then?’

Jack’s voice brought him back to reality.

‘Of course he will.’ The irritability had reappeared in JoJo’s voice. ‘How can he expect me to oversee a man who’s shot me fucking fingers off? Use your loaf, Jack, for fuck’s sake.’

Jack nodded. ‘Can I get you a bottle of Lucozade or anything?’

JoJo rolled his eyes. ‘It’s costing me over a grand a day in here. Ring the bell and they’ll deliver you a large scotch if you want one. But for fuck’s sake, Jack, never, and I mean never, order a Lucozade while you’re here. I couldn’t live it down.’

Jack sighed and lapsed once more into silence while JoJo talked on, as if the sound of his voice would grow his missing fingers back.

Alan Cox got the message from Anthony Calder and smiled into the mouthpiece of the phone.

They were ready for the off, they were ready to go. All that was left was the actual jump.