‘I’m not sure, yet. As you know, I don’t normally advise a client to give evidence. Too easy to make mistakes, get caught out. I’m not convinced he will be able to control his temper.’

‘That’s my fear. Mind you, I haven’t seen Matthews prosecute many cases.’

‘He’s not a shout and bawl merchant, but he is thorough. He’ll niggle away at him. Gallagher could probably cope with being shouted at a bit but if Matthews keeps at him he might just blow. What do you think?’

‘Difficult one. Normally I would agree that we should keep him out, but I assume we’re leading the alibi witnesses?’

‘Some of them, certainly.’

‘I think it can look bad if you call the monkeys but not the organgrinder.’

‘Always a danger, Jim.’

‘We’ll have a chat with him tomorrow. By then he will have seen the whole of the Crown case.’

‘Do you think there is enough evidence to go to the jury on both murders?’

‘It may not be the greatest evidence in the world, but there is just enough and in any event, if there is a doubt about it at all, Cowden will let it go.’

‘Well, at least tomorrow we get to half time. Do you reckon we’re ahead?’

‘Maybe. Maybe not.’

‘Pessimist!’

‘Realist.’

Again there was the disembodied mechanical voice.

‘Thank you for calling 0608 614 519, please leave your message after the tone.’

‘I’m getting seriously pissed off with this. I’ve left twenty fucking messages on this poxy machine. Now, call me – urgently. I don’t want to have to come looking for you. Do I make myself plain. And remember this: I can play games, too.’

The man listening to the messages switched off the mobile phone. His face remained impassive and he stared ahead. He stood for a few moments reflecting on what he had just heard.

‘So you can play games too, can you? Well, we will just have to see about that. Won’t we?’

‘How did you get on, Ma?’

‘I saw all I needed to see.’

‘Sorry?’

‘I’m not putting up with any more of this. I’ve had enough.’

‘I don’t understand what you...’

‘You know exactly what I mean. I know you too well. If I had had any doubts, your eyes just eliminated them.’

‘This is silly. You’re upset. It’s understandable. I told you not to go. I said to you that it was not the place for you.’

‘Don’t patronise me. Just don’t bloody patronise me.’

‘Look, it’ll be OK. I’m getting it sorted out.’

‘What do you mean, you’re getting it sorted out? What are you getting sorted out? What have you been up to? I want to know.’