‘It’s all in hand, Gary,’ says Peterson. ‘We were never going to see it through anyway. It was all just a gentle reminder to his family to behave themselves.’

‘You’ve ruined his life, you know.’

‘And he wanted to ruin ours, Gary, so that’s not nice, is it?’ replies Peterson. ‘Hand it over, or shall I ask Tommy to come over and take it off you?’

‘I haven’t got it on me so I wouldn’t bother. It’s nearby, though, so don’t get a panic on. Listen, before I tell you where it is, I want to know how you lot found out that I had the dongle and that I had chosen to hide it.’

McCoy takes a step forward.

‘How do you think we found out, Gary?’

‘I think you planted Emily into my life to keep an eye on me and she told you.’

‘That’s not quite right, Gary,’ McCoy begins. ‘She definitely helped us, but she didn’t know that she had. Do you remember when we left Tommy in your flat to search for the dongle? Well, while he was in there, he took the opportunity to put simple listening devices in the plug sockets in your lounge and bedroom. We could hear everything you said to Emily, and like the wanker that you are you let your mouth run off. Dongle blah blah blah… password blah blah blah. It’s our job, Gary, to listen to people when they don’t want us to. Don’t be upset; you’re far from the first to suffer. You in love with her or something?’

I look at Tommy; he has an inane, unsettling grin on his face.

‘Where is she now, Tommy?’ I ask.

‘Somewhere safe. Somewhere she can’t cause any trouble. I doubt very much you will ever be seeing her again. You need to REMOVE HER FROM YOUR FUCKING THOUGHTS,’ he replies.

‘Are you and her still together?’

‘No, and I can’t see her being with anyone ever again, especially not you,’ replies Tommy.

‘Are you going to beat me up?’

‘Yes, very badly, but I’ll wait till the dust has settled and you will never know where and you will never know when, just like your mate’s dad, Derek Moore.’

‘Is she safe?’ I ask.

‘That depends on this transaction,’ says McCoy. ‘Let’s just say that she is our security should you try to serve us up a wobble. Hand it over, Gary, and don’t forget the password.’

I put the gun back in my pocket and text the novelty sock shop number to McCoy. I point to the edge of the plinth where the see-saw used to be and indicate exactly where the dongle is buried. Tommy steps forward and gets down on his knees to pick out the dongle from its hidey-hole.