Nuala looked into her sister-in-law’s face and shook her head. ‘Well, whatever it is, we’ll never know about it. I’ll sling it in the bin.’

Donna took the file and put it into her large shoulder bag. ‘No, I’ll take it home with me. You never know with Georgio, he might want it one day.’

Nuala smiled sadly. ‘Yeah, you never know. You’re missing him, aren’t you? I mean, really missing him.’

Donna nodded. ‘More each day, if that’s possible.’

Nuala grasped her hand gently. ‘I know my brother wasn’t strictly on the level with a lot of things, but he wouldn’t have hurt anyone, anyone at all. Duck and dive a bit with the businesses, yeah. But nothing like they’ve accused him of. Before you know it, he’ll be home.’

‘You know what really hurts, Nuala? The way that judge said he ruled his empire with fear. What empire? It was all on the say-so of Wilson.’

‘Well, Wilson’s paid the price for his skulduggery now.’

Donna frowned. ‘In what way?’

‘Didn’t you know, Donna? He committed suicide in Camp Hill prison about two weeks ago.’

Donna’s eyes widened. ‘He killed himself?’

Nuala nodded. ‘Stephen told me. I assumed he’d told you.’

Donna shook her head. ‘He never said a word to me about it.’

‘Maybe he didn’t want you to worry, like. I mean, I shouldn’t have said anything.’

‘How the hell is Georgio going to get his parole if the only person who can prove he’s innocent is dead?’ Donna’s voice was rising dangerously.

‘Calm down, love. This isn’t going to help him, is it? You getting in a state.’

‘But if Wilson’s dead . . . Did he leave a note of any kind?’

‘I don’t know. Stephen never mentioned it if he did.’

Donna put her hands up to her face, her distress visible. ‘They’ll never believe him now,’ she whispered. ‘The only chance he had - Wilson was the only chance that he had. If he had decided to tell the truth, or if we could have proved that Wilson was lying . . .’

Nuala went to her sister-in-law’s side and stroked the thick brown hair. ‘We’ll prove it. In fact, it might even be easier now he’s dead. I know that sounds hard, but he’s not around to call us liars now, is he?’

Donna saw the logic in what Nuala was saying. ‘How did he die?’

The young woman shrugged. ‘Hanged himself, I think. Yeah, he was found hanging in his cell.’

Donna was running her fingers through her hair in agitation. ‘I hope you’re right. Maybe now they might believe Georgio. I’ll go and see his lawyer. I mean, he would have been informed about Wilson. He should have told me! He’ll know if Wilson left any kind of letter, won’t he?’