Staffie knew right away that Mike would rip their heads off without thinking through the consequences, so he decided to intervene. ‘Yes, of course, no worries. Look, officer, why don’t you let the boy’s father go to the hospital? My son and I will answer anything you want to know. We were all together, so we all saw the same thing as soon as we walked in.’ He tried to remain outwardly calm, but inside, he knew he would also have ripped the copper’s head off if he’d said no.

The police officer chewed his lip. He didn’t look at all happy. ‘I think we need to take all of you.’

Arty felt the need to get involved; he was sharper than his father. ‘Officer, we’ll help as much as we can. But I can guarantee you won’t get a sensible word out of Mr Regan all the while he’s worried about his son. Please let him go in the ambulance, and I promise you, we’ll be completely cooperative and then you can question him later.’

The officer nodded agreeably. ‘We’ll want to question you, sir, afterwards,’ said the officer to Mike. Mike wasn’t listening; he was watching his son being strapped onto the stretcher and seeing him have oxygen shoved up his nose. Suddenly, there was a glimmer of hope – Ricky’s eyes flickered.

The female paramedic leaned closer to his face. ‘Can you hear me, Ricky?’

A slow nod gave Mike the reassurance he needed. ‘Ricky, it’s me. It’s ya dad. You’re gonna be all right, Son. The paramedics are here. I’m right by your side.’

Within a few minutes, the police escorted Staffie and Arty out of the flat and watched as Mike went off in the ambulance with Ricky.

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

Staffie sat staring at the blank wall of the interview room, praying that Ricky would live. His injuries looked so bad, there was a risk he wouldn’t survive. He brushed away his wet cheeks as soon as he heard the door opening.

Detective Lowry, looking the worse for wear, stepped inside and closed the door behind him. With a clipboard in his hand, he sat down and leaned back on his chair. ‘What a fucking mess.’

Staffie was still reeling over the incident. ‘Any news on Ricky?’

Lowry shook his head. ‘No. Let me just take a quick statement and then we’ll call the hospital.’

Staffie felt more relaxed knowing that the detective wasn’t going to act like a jobsworth’s prick.

‘Mr Stafford, I’m working with the Commissioner. I know the set-up. I visited Mike Regan in the nick with Stoneham. So, you can speak freely. No tapes.’

Staffie nodded. ‘So, Detective . . . ’

‘No, call me Simon. Detective Inspector Lowry is too much of a mouthful.’