‘Don’t we all?’

Alan looked over the Ordnance Survey map again and retraced the route with his finger. If everything went to plan the jump could be over in under seven minutes and Georgio could be well on his way to Liverpool before the road blocks were even in place. He grinned to himself.

The police and the prison service would not know what the hell had hit them. It would be a national security job, and would receive national press and TV coverage. They had to make sure that everything went exactly to plan in Liverpool and in Scotland.

He tossed back his scotch as the phone rang and let his answering machine pick up the message.

He heard his own voice telling the caller he wasn’t available and then frowned as he heard Jonnie H.

‘Alan, ring me back soon. I’ve some news for you.’

He picked up the phone and said, ‘Jonnie? What’s going on?’

Jonnie’s voice was agitated. ‘To be honest, Alan, I don’t know, mate. But I’ve heard a whisper that Georgio is being put up for another robbery. The word on the street is that he’s also into something deep.’

Alan’s voice was heavy with sarcasm. ‘With respect, Jonnie, we hear these rumours all the time. I’ve heard them about me—’

Jonnie interrupted. ‘What? You’ve heard that you’re supposed to be into beasting then, have you? Only that’s the word on Georgio.’

Alan’s voice was incredulous. ‘Beasting! Are you off your trolley, man?’

Jonnie H. laughed. ‘I know it sounds mad, but I’m only telling you what I heard, Alan, no more.’

Alan’s voice was dismissive. ‘You tell whoever is putting these lies about that I have known Georgio Brunos since childhood and he would no more be involved with beasting than he would be a grass. Who told you, Jonnie? Let me sort them out myself.’

Jonnie’s voice came over the line so low Alan thought he had not heard him correctly.

‘Say that again, Jonnie. Who?’

‘Nick Carvello, and you know Nick. He wants to know the score.’

Alan put the phone down, convinced the whole world had gone mad. Nick Carvello was not a man to cross at any time, but his thoughts on beasting were legendary. If he thought Georgio was involved in anything like that, Georgio could kiss goodbye to his jump and probably the use of his legs.

Picking up the phone again, he dialled a number and realised that his hands were shaking.

He was in for an even bigger shock.

Donna picked up the phone only after the policewoman nodded at her to do so.

‘Hello.’ Her voice was small, frightened.

She listened to Alan’s voice and cut him off. ‘I can’t talk, Mum, the police are here, searching the house.’