‘I’ve sent you a number of messages and you chose to ignore them. This is your last chance. Some very important people, friends of mine, are very upset by the way you are handling the Gallagher case.’

‘I’m doing my best.’

‘That’s the problem, Mr Muirhead. You are doing rather too well. In short, you are just too good at your job. Gallagher has to get done. My friends will be very upset if he doesn’t get done. My friends will be very upset with you if he doesn’t get done.’

‘That’s up to the jury, not me, for Christ’s sake.’

The gun was driven harder into his neck. The tone of the voice hardened.

‘Don’t be fucking stupid, Muirhead. You’re the only one who can stop him being convicted. And that’s going to change. You’re going to take a dive. You’re going to sell the jerseys. You’re going to fuck it up, Mr M. Or I’m going to fuck up you and your family.’

‘What am I supposed to do?’

‘I told you not to be fucking stupid. Do whatever you have to do. Just make sure Gallagher goes down. Got it?’

‘What?’

‘Understand?’

‘Yes, I understand, but how can I guarantee...?’

A sharp metallic click stopped him short.

‘I can guarantee it, Mr Muirhead, if that’s what you want. But I’m sure you’re a man of your word. Tell me my friends have nothing to worry about. Tell me that Gallagher’s defence is about to take a nose-dive. Tell me that Gallagher is going to get done. Tell me that your family will be safe.’

Again the gun was jammed into the back of Muirhead’s neck.

‘I’ll do what I can.’

‘Not good enough. I’ve tried to be reasonable. Maybe I should just shoot your kneecaps off now and go tell your wife all about it?’

‘All right. All right. Whatever you want.’

‘You know what I want.’

‘Gallagher will go down, if I have anything to do with it.’

Another prod from the gun.

‘Gallagher will go down.’

‘Get in the back seat face down. I’ll be leaving you now, but don’t worry, I’ll never be very far away. I’m going to count to a hundred. If I see any part of you before I get there, I will shoot it. If I was you, I wouldn’t go mentioning this conversation to anyone. Let’s just keep it to ourselves. Confidential, like. Our own private bonding. Oh, and here’s something to remember me by.’