‘Right, son. It’s OK. Let him be.’

‘Wit’s happened?’ A ask the wan in charge.

‘There’s been an attack.’

‘Who but?’

‘The gentleman was found outside the house.’

Broonie’s nearly greetin noo wae rage n fear. He’s pacin to n fro n the wee polis looks scared in case he blows a gasket n attacks him. ‘A wee old guy?’

The polis nods. ‘He didn’t have ID on him. He’s still being treated in the back. We’ve just arrived on scene.’

‘Do you want me tae tell yi if it’s him?’

‘That might be a start.’ The polis chaps the back door ae the ambulance n the paramedic opens the door. ‘OK for an ID?’ Broonie is pacin wae his heed in his hands n fumblin tryin tae light a fag. A gee the polis a nod n step up on the steps n in the thin door. A know it’s Stevie Brown right away. A kin tell wae his eld chunky trainers n worky jeans. They’ve git a breathin mask on his face n A kin see aw the damage. There’s stamp marks on the wee auld cunt’s heed. He’s a fragile eld alky, no fit fur this kinda punishment. There’s blood pishin oot his face n the young lassie paramedic is hookin him up tae machines. A turn away n walk back oot. Broonie’s right at the back door tryin tae see.

‘Wit is it, Azzy? Is it ma da?’

‘Aye.’

‘Wit’s happened tae him? Hus he hud a faw?’

‘No sure,’ A say, glancin at the elder polis, ‘but they’ve got him noo n they’re takin care ae him.’

‘We’ll give yees a lift. How’s that?’ the younger polis says.

Broonie’s pacin again. A kin see his mind desperately tryin tae work it aw oot. The ambulance flies aff wae the sirens on. We jump in the back ae the polis motor n it starts up n follows behind. Broonie’s heed is in his hands noo. A see the polis notice it n startin tae wonder the obvious. ‘Shaun, is it?’

‘Aye.’

‘Is everything OK, son?’

‘Hardly, fuck sake.’

‘I mean with you. You in some kind of trouble?’

‘Your dad’s been attacked, Shaun.’

Broonie looks up wae tears in his eyes n his nose aw runnin. He wipes it n puts his heed back doon. Honour amongst thieves. They spot it right away.

‘Somehow, I don’t think your dad has many enemies.’

‘Shaun, if you don’t talk tae us, son, they’re going tae get away with it.’

When yir on the other side, like Broonie, yi couldnae just decide that yi respected the rule ae law. It wid make it worse. The polis wid be yir best pals at this point but eventually, yi wid git yir letter through fae the Procurator Fiscal, cited as a witness tae stand against the likes ae the McIntires or the Maynards. Then yi wid be branded a grass n git popped fur real. If they didnae take yi oot, wan ae their army ae runners like him who ir indebted or desperate wid slash or plug yi fur a favour or a tick bill.