Mike lowered his head, wondering if he felt comfortable about what he was about to do. His father popped into his mind, and for a moment, he cringed. No way would Dad have collaborated with the police, he thought. He breathed deeply and visited his conscience.

The Commissioner had given him the name of the pub that they suspected was a dealer’s den. It so happened that the pub called the Daylight Inn was on his turf, and regardless of where that information had come from, he would have made it his business to pay the place a visit and lay down his rules anyway.

Ricky watched the concerned look on his father’s face and decided he wouldn’t push the issue. The last thing he wanted to do was to have him worrying.

‘Okay, I get it, Dad.’

Mike snapped out of his thoughts. ‘You’re a good boy.’

‘Dad, do you think I could go to the Daylight Inn? There’s a top DJ playing there Saturday night. Liam and Arty are going.’

Unexpectedly, Mike got up from his stool with a face like thunder.

‘Dad? What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?’

Mike softened his look and sighed. ‘No, Son, it’s just that we have business at the Daylight. Jesus! Staffie and Willie should have run it past me first.’

‘It’s okay, Dad. I can stay at home. It’s not a problem.’

Suddenly, Mike burst out laughing. ‘It sounds so funny, you, a big lad of eighteen, who served time, asking me if you can go to a party.’

Ricky looked down at his hands covered in soap suds, then at his apron, and chuckled. ‘Well, I guess if you view me like that, then this looks pretty silly too.’

Mike laughed again. ‘Oh, ya know what? ’Course you can go. But you just party. Me and the lads have some business to take care of.’

Ricky saluted. ‘Yes, Boss. No worries. Hopefully, I’ll be tonguing some pretty chick.’

With an exaggerated raised eyebrow, Mike replied, ‘Like a bird, then, do ya?’

Ricky blushed. ‘Yeah, I ain’t had a girlfriend, but I have a new life, and Nan reckons I’m a good catch. So I’m gonna try me luck . . . Dad, are these gang members gonna be at the pub?’

Mike shrugged his shoulders. ‘I dunno, Ricky. All I know is we’ve been given a few dates and places, and the rest is up to us.’

‘You won’t get hurt, will ya?’ asked Ricky, now very concerned that his father was entering into something more serious than they were used to. After all, if the police couldn’t get a grip on these gangs, what made them think his father could?