McGarry had checked the approach to the terminal and was now taking in all the surrounding details. Senses on full alert. Nothing unusual. Nothing to make him feel uncomfortable. He had timed it to perfection, as ever. The boarding of the boat was underway. He would join the rest of the foot passengers, nice and calm, get through control, and off we go. Two middle-aged ladies were making their way forward. Perfect. McGarry tagged along just behind them. Everything was going according to plan. It always did. As he walked casually along, he thought with satisfaction of the man he had taken care of. It would be some time before he could walk, anywhere.

A combination of over-confidence and sentimentality were about to prove his downfall – that, allied to the lack of eyes in the back of his head.

A piercing scream coincided with the ground rushing up to meet him. He fought to move his arms but they were being twisted behind his back. He hit the ground with a thump and a heavy weight landed on his back knocking the breath from him. The rough surface tore at the right side of his face. He could see nothing other than pairs of feet shuffling around in front of his eyes. Before his mind could analyse what had just happened, the cold metal against his temple answered any questions he might have had.

‘Armed police officers. Lie still and you will come to no harm. I will show you my warrant card.’

McGarry had no need to read the plastic card which was dangled in front of him.

‘We are going to place handcuffs on you and then carry out a body search. If you lie still, you will come to no harm. Do you understand?’

‘Just get me off the ground before you tear my fucking face off.’

The handcuffs were applied and McGarry could feel hands rubbing across his back and down his legs. When he was turned over the process was repeated on his chest. Looking up, he could see faces, none of which he recognised. Faces, strange faces, and the barrel of a gun which was still being pointed at his head.

‘He’s clean.’

He had no difficulty in realising that he had been stupid, but more to the point, careless. Very bloody careless. Well, they could do what they liked. They had nothing on him and they would get nothing out of him.

Two men hauled McGarry to his feet and he found himself face to face with a suit.

‘Now you, I do know!’