‘Think about it, Nick. If you want a man’s life fucked in the criminal fraternity, what’s the best way? Lay a nonsense claim on him. No one likes a nonce. It’s the unwritten law, right? So, as to what you wanted to know, for some reason best known to Paddy, he wants to find out what his boss is planning. Why Brunos doesn’t want him involved I can’t find out. It’s maybe a case of the fewer people in the know the better. That is sound business sense for a jump.

‘As for the beasting claim, I think Lewis is accusing Georgio of that to put pressure on him to pay the money over for the blag he’s doing the eighteen for. Got that so far? Once Georgio jumps it’s his business whether or not he pays over the money, not ours, so all in all I think you have nothing to worry about either way.

‘As for Jonnie H., he has recruited the McAnultys, but they’re as tight-arsed as a duck in water. No one knows the score there. No one seems to want to know anyway. Alan Cox is dealing with Eric the Lunatic, the mad mercenary. I assume that’s for the jump. I found this out by deduction and by greasing a few strategically placed palms. Don’t worry about your security, OK? It’s tight, man. Real tight.

‘So, as I said before, everything this end is hunky-dory. Jack Coyne and JoJo O’Neil are keeping their heads down and their traps shut. No one else is interested and that’s my job finished.’

‘What about Paddy. Do you think he’ll be trouble?’

Dicky shook his head. ‘Nah, man. He’s on Georgio’s side anyway, on his payroll. Once Georgio’s out he’ll be brought back into the fold, is my guess. It’s just a pain in the arse to have him sniffing about as well as me. He has muscle but no real contacts, except one of Georgio’s business partners, Davey Jackson. This Jackson is either without any knowledge or he’s keeping the big man at arm’s length. That’s the strength of it all.’

Nick smiled. ‘Thanks, Dicky. You’ve put me mind at rest. You know how I feel about nonces. But for all you’ve said, there’s still something bothering me about Brunos. I just can’t put my finger on it . . .’

Dicky smiled, his large white friendly smile.

‘Call it jump nerves, man - everyone gets them. Think how Brunos must be feeling, eh? He’s the one who’s got to do the jump. He’s the reason for it all. And on top of everything he’s got Lewis riding his back.’