Randy was gasping for breath, the pain in his thigh turning from an acute ache to a burning sensation.

‘Please, wait!’ He tried to catch his breath, but Mike’s eyes were now fixed on Dez, who abruptly shied away.

It was the moment he’d been waiting for, and, if he was honest with himself, he’d anticipated this. No one could endure this kind of treatment for long. Mike knew then that Dez and Randy had something to do with his son’s attack. Which meant that they must have been involved in the death of the girl who was with Ricky. He had to think very carefully how to play this one. He knew how sly Dez was, but he knew nothing about Randy, except for the fact that the man claimed to be innocent. He hoped this was the case. In one respect, Randy appeared to be similar to his brother Woodrow – more aware of the consequences.

‘So, Randy. This is how it’s gonna work.’ Mike remembered the name of Dez’s sister, because, years ago, he’d overheard a row between Dez and another inmate concerning his beloved sister Alice. ‘Me mate Willie is gonna go and get Alice . . . ’

Immediately, Woodrow spoke up. ‘No, wait, she has nothing to do with this. Please, leave her out of it.’

‘I want to, but I also want assurances that Randy will tell me the truth because Dez certainly won’t, will ya, you bastard?’

Sweat was now running down Randy’s face. ‘I swear, I’ll tell you everything. Just leave her alone. She’s a good girl.’ His head fell back, clearly struggling to keep conscious.

Mike grinned cruelly. He could see Randy was consumed by agony. ‘Right, then. Why was my son attacked and who did it?’

‘It was the Governor or his men, but I honestly dunno who exactly.’

Mike nodded. ‘And why?’

Randy flicked a look in Dez’s direction, and Mike knew then that it was all Dez’s doing. It had all the hallmarks of an underhanded weasel written all over it. ‘I’m waiting, Randy,’ he said, as he stared at Dez.

‘A bloke called Leon Khouri, who worked from the cottage, asked us if we knew anyone on the manor who would be dealing drugs . . . and . . . ’ He nervously swallowed. ‘Dez said your son was.’

Mike felt the hairs on his neck stand on end, the anger curling inside his stomach. ‘And you, Randy? Did you know who I was?’

Randy shook his head, sweat glistening on his forehead. He thought he would pass out at any minute. ‘No, I didn’t, I swear.’ He gave another sceptical look at his brother. ‘I didn’t even know that passing that information on would end up with your son getting attacked.’

‘And the girl they murdered? Do you know anything about her?’