He saw a flicker of impatience on one guy’s face. Another, a fellow with ruddy cheeks and a bad comb-over, was more vocal in his irritation. ‘Why don’t you fuck off?’ he said to Conor. ‘And you can take your friends with you.’

‘I don’t follow you.’

Comb-over tilted his head towards the door.

Conor’s first reaction was confusion. The two men striding into the room were wearing the dark uniform of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and carrying automatic weapons. The uniforms might have fooled the receptionist and Ray Tomelty. They’d obviously convinced Comb-over too. But Conor knew the men weren’t guards. His mind tore through the possibilities.

‘Jesus Christ,’ shouted Burke, voice cutting through the air like a chainsaw. Slow as he was, he was trained to spot danger. He sent a look of panic in Conor’s direction.

It took less than a second for the gamblers, Burke and Comb-over included, to clamber to their feet. A wave of fear rolled across the room.

‘Get on the floor,’ roared the taller of the two gunmen, his voice unexpectedly young.

‘On the fucking floor,’ parroted his accomplice.

Conor knew all the theory. He’d read every line of the manual. Been on every course. But, in that instant, he was frozen. As he reached for his own gun, he heard the first pop. The room filled with vivid colours. The smell, the sound, everything intensified. Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop. Burke crashed to the floor.

The shots were coming in quick succession. Then the stinging started. It was spreading from his arm, Conor thought. Or was it his shoulder? A sound, like a jet accelerating, filled his ears. The pain strengthened. He gulped for breath. He realised that he too was on the floor. Beside him, what remained of Warren Burke was trembling.

Chapter 24

Lincolnshire, England

‘Mu-um,’ said Daisy, from the back seat, ‘may we have some music, please?’

How did I get such a polite child? thought Tess. At nine, she’d been a holy terror. ‘In a few minutes,’ she replied. ‘I want to hear the news first. The man with the nice Scottish accent will be on in a sec.’

‘We’ll be home in a few minutes,’ pointed out Daisy.

‘Well, then you can listen to all the music you like.’