The Gallaghers, as a family had been expecting such a visit. Most of their people had been invited to attend one police station or another to assist with inquiries. They had taken the precaution of visiting their lawyers and putting on record where each of them had been at the time of Boyle’s death. This is what they would tell the police, and in the event of any funny business or inaccurate recording of their statements, the lawyer would be able to produce their sworn affidavits. A practical illustration of the old footballing maxim – get your retaliation in first.

No one thought to even comment on the death of the Mad Dog. After all, even Strathclyde CID could not be stupid enough to think that was down to one of them.

That is not to imply they were completely indifferent to his demise. True, his death had not been mourned. Easy come, easy go! But the fact that he had apparently been murdered before Kevin, according to reliable rumour, was the cause of much debate if ‘What the fuck’s going on?’ can amount to debate. No sufficient answer was forthcoming.

Suggestions abounded and included the notion of someone with a private grievance. There were many who might have attended the audition for this part, someone in their own organisation looking for a fast track to promotion and a quick way of building a reputation. As yet, no claimants to the Mad Dog’s throne had come forward. Among the more bizarre suggestions were: the police, (to get Mad Dog out of the way), and Kevin Boyle himself who was then shot as an act of revenge by someone no one could put a name to. The simple fact of the matter was, the Gallaghers did not have a clue.

Charlie had been detained under the powers afforded to the police by the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 which allowed for the holding of a suspect for up to six hours for questioning before being released or charged with a crime. The police are under no obligation to allow a solicitor to be present during such questioning.

None of this had presented Charlie with any difficulties. He answered all their questions. Repeatedly, he told his interrogators where he had been and who had been with him. As expected, they were interested in the death of Kevin Boyle. As expected, Mick Clark was never mentioned.