‘I’ve always made sure you were well rewarded.’

‘This will be our last meeting. You want McGarry don’t you?’

‘You know?’

‘I know he’s a sicko. He would chop his granny’s tits off just to see if his knife needed sharpened.’

‘Is he in Glasgow?’

‘Christ, for a PO-LICE Superintendent you can be clueless at times. Of course he’s in Glasgow. Your lawyer pal knows that.’

‘Why has McGarry been at Muirhead?’

‘I repeat. You’re the detective.’

‘Is he working on his own? For someone? I know, I’m the detective.’

Shugs went into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

‘As you can see, I’m wearing gloves. The stuff inside was not written by me and I haven’t handled it or the envelope. It will not selfdestruct, so I’d be grateful if you would not leave it lying around.’

‘How much?’

‘Please. I’m offended. Let’s say it’s a farewell gift from me to you.’

Shugs turned and walked towards his car.

‘I may come after you one day.’

Shugs stopped. He turned round slowly.

‘As you said, the partnership is dissolved. That means we’re business rivals.’

McAllister held out his hand.

‘Rivals I can live with. Enemies?’

‘Rivals.’

Shugs nodded and walked towards the Jaguar.

Back in his more modest vehicle, McAllister watched as Shugs drove out of the carpark. He switched on his map light, opened the envelope and read the contents with increasing interest.

‘Well, well, well. Right, young man. Time for you and I to have a few words, I think. And soon!’

Chapter Ten

‘Your full name is David Ian Taylor?’, Matthews commenced.

‘Yes.’

‘An Acting Detective Constable with Strathclyde Police, twenty-four years old, five years police service.’

‘Yes sir.’

‘On the 16th of March were you one of a number of officers who attended the scene of the shooting of the now deceased Kevin Boyle?’

‘Yes.’

‘You would perform various duties, I’ve no doubt, but there is only one matter I want to ask you about. Did you examine the bonnet of the BMW car?’

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘I wanted to see if it was warm or cold to get some idea of how long the car may have been there.’

‘And?’

‘It was stone cold.’

‘Now, some time later, were you on duty in an interview room when Mr Gallagher was being questioned by detective officers?’

‘I was.’

‘We have heard evidence about the contents of these interviews, but what was your function there?’

‘I was to supervise the prisoner. Sometimes the CID like to leave the room to discuss things. I was there to keep an eye on Gallagher.’

‘At any time did you engage him in conversation?’

‘No. In these situations you are expected to say nothing.’

‘How many times were you alone with Mr Gallagher?’

‘Three, perhaps four.’

‘Did he say anything to you?’

‘The first two or three times he made some comments, about nothing in particular.’

‘Give the jury some examples.’