‘That was purely personal. The Mad Dog had been as good as dead for a long time. Apparently he had been sent to work over a young pusher who owed money to the Gallaghers. Got a bit carried away and killed the poor bastard. We’ll find him in a missing person’s file somewhere; I have no doubt. Just another junkie who disappeared. Unfortunately, he was McGarry’s nephew. Having dealt with Kevin Boyle, McGarry decided to tidy up a loose end – simple as that.’

‘Who else was involved?’

‘That, I suspect, we will never know. McGarry has only told us what he wants us to know because it suits him. He is no grass.’

‘What you haven’t explained is why he turned on Kevin?’

‘Easy. The oldest reason of them all. Money. What’s the situation at the trial?’

‘Jury is still out. That’s over four hours. Why did McGarry talk?’

‘Hard to say. For long enough he wouldn’t say a word. As I told you, he would only speak off-tape. Then he gave me the whole story, or what he claims is the whole story.’

‘Do you think he would repeat it on tape or make a formal statement?’

‘No way. No point in asking him.’

‘You took notes?’

‘Yes. We’ve got a fairly detailed record. He didn’t object to that for some reason.’

‘Why did he tell you?’

‘Again, hard to say. I think the answer is revenge. He was paid for killing Kevin. Fine. But then he was hired to lean on Muirhead. The man tried to renege on the deal. McGarry took this as a personal slight. Hence the shooting.’

‘A personal slight! I’d hate to see him taking offence.’

‘He realised we had him for possession of the gun and the garage shooting. Then, when the bullets matched the Boyle killing, he knew he was finished. I am convinced he decided that, if he was going down, he wasn’t going down alone. All done for revenge – pure and simple.’

‘How sure are you about all of this?’

‘I am as certain as I can be. Charlie Gallagher is a nasty little shit. He should have been locked up for half of the things he’s been in to. But he didn’t kill Boyle. I have no doubt about that. However, he’ll be back, no doubt.’

‘What do you want to do?’

‘I need warrants.’

‘I’ll arrange that for you. What about your Mr Warwick?’

‘Leave him for the time being. He’s going nowhere, after all. Maybe we should actually let him spend some time in Gallagher’s company.’

‘When all this comes out, he’s going to find prison detrimental to his health, anyway.’

‘Someone else’s problem.’

‘Quite. And Thomson?’