As the years passed, Shugs proved invaluable. There was little going on he did not know about. There was little he knew about he was not prepared to sell.

McAllister had summoned Shugs to a meeting. As ever, they met late at night in the largely deserted carpark behind the Forth Bridges Hotel.

‘New car, Shugs?’

‘Jaguar. XK8. Nice, isn’t it?’

‘Business must be on the up and up. Should I take an interest?’

‘From what I hear, you’ve got your own problems to deal with.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Please, let’s not play games. Gallagher walking out of the High Court is not going to look good for you, now is it?’

‘Gallagher will get done. He’s guilty.’

‘He didn’t kill the Mad Dog.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Take my word for it’

‘Did he kill Boyle?’

‘You’re the detective.’

‘I can probably increase the payment, if the info is good.’

Shugs swept his hand towards the car.

‘As you said, business must be good. I’m thinking of rationalising some of my activities. Closing down on some options. Modernisation programme, so to speak.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning, I’m serving you notice that our partnership is hereby dissolved. Not that you can complain: you’ve done well out of it, Superintendent.’

‘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.’