‘Highly unlikely, I would have thought. If he did, he deserves the jail for being stupid.’

‘Quite. I’ve only got the bare bones of it so far. Nearly shat myself when I read the precognition. I’ve sent my investigator to see this guy again to get as much detail as he can. Mind you, the next one’s even better.’

‘Do you mean worse?’

‘Probably. It’s certainly a beauty. It seems we may have a supergrass.’

‘A super… go on.’

‘Thought you’d like it. There’s a guy who is now in Perth awaiting trial. He claims that when he was on remand in Barlinnie he was in the segregation unit at the same time as Gallagher. Says the two of them became friendly and he was given the whole story about the murder – chapter and bloody verse.’

‘Christ! Have you spoken to the client about this?’

‘Claims he has never heard of this guy. I’ve asked the Crown for a photograph to see if Gallagher recognises him.’

‘Obviously you’ve checked that the two were in the same unit for a time – how long?’

‘Ten days.’

‘Ten days, and we become so bloody pally with him that we appoint him our father confessor. That’ll no do.’

‘It gets even better. This guy is apparently called Alan Warwick.’

‘Apparently?’

‘I’m having it checked out, but apparently that is not his real name, or at least it may not be his real name. It seems that he has given evidence before, in England, would you believe? On that occasion his name was Beswick. Nice one, huh?’

‘Nice one indeed. I think you’re right. We’d better meet and discuss this. I don’t want to talk any more on the phone. In cases like this I’m never convinced that someone isn’t listening in.’

‘James, you’re getting paranoid.’

‘Just past experience,’ Muirhead intoned as he recalled a major trial some years before, when he had become convinced that his phone was tapped. For no good reason, it contracted the habit of making a series of odd clicks and, during one conversation, he was sure he could hear talking in the background. He decided to set a trap. His client had completed his evidence in chief and was about to be cross-examined by the advocate depute. Muirhead arranged for his instructing solicitor to phone him at home. They discussed a variety of mundane matters and then, as arranged, the solicitor asked how Muirhead felt the client had done thus far and how he thought he might fare in cross.

‘As long as he doesn’t try to be too smart he’ll be fine. As long as he is not asked about his dealings with Owen McGuire. I’m not too sure we have an answer for that.’