Charlie went to stand up. He was the only one who moved. He looked at each of the officers in turn. Expressionless. Blank. Suddenly the penny began to drop. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

‘Please sit down, Mr Gallagher. I’m afraid that for the time being, you are not going anywhere.’

The tone was now cold. This man meant what he was saying. This might just be about to turn a bit nasty.

‘Mr Gallagher, you are now under arrest and I am about to prefer a charge against you. Before I do so I must caution you that you are not obliged...’

‘What do you mean, a charge? What fucking charge? I’ve done fuck all and you cunts know it. You’re fucking trying to fit me up, you fucking bastards!’

He was standing leaning over the table and spitting his words into McAllister’s face. The latter remained resolutely calm.

‘I am going to prefer a charge against you…’

‘Charge! Charge!! You, ya piece of shite, you couldnae charge a fucking battery!’

Charlie had lost it, and might have blown it completely had the corner or his eye not registered the presence of the tape-recorder. His brain snapped back into gear and he slumped down onto his chair. Breathing heavily, he gripped the table in front of him with both hands and stared venomously at the policeman. He would say nothing more but he would let this bastard know just how much he hated him.

‘I am going to prefer a charge against you. I must caution you that you are not obliged to say anything in answer to the charge, but anything you do say will be tape-recorded, noted and may be given in evidence. Do you understand the words of the caution?’

Gallagher had said all he was going to say.

‘Mr Gallagher, do you understand the words of the caution?’

Nothing.

‘No response. Very well. The charge against you is that you did, on 17th March 1996 in Mitchell Drive, Glasgow, discharge a loaded firearm at Kevin Boyle, now deceased, shoot him repeatedly in the head whereby he was so severely injured that he died there and then and you did murder him. Do you understand the charge?’

Nothing.

‘Do you have anything to say in answer to the charge?’

Nothing.

‘Very well. You will now be detained in custody till you appear in court tomorrow. You will be photographed and finger printed, and I am going to arrange for a police casualty surgeon to take samples of blood and hair from you. I can obtain an order from the court to allow these samples to be taken if you do not provide them voluntarily. Will you allow such samples to be taken?’

Nothing.

‘I must advise you that I will make application to the Sheriff Court for the necessary warrant. This is Detective Superintendent Grant McAllister concluding the interview with the now accused Charles Gallagher.’