What on earth was Charlie supposed to have said to some boy policeman? Could he really have been that stupid? Possibly; although he seemed to have dealt reasonably with all the formal interviews. Would a young cop have the balls to make something up? And what about this supergrass? Gallagher had been warned time and time again not to discuss the case with anyone apart from his lawyer. People awaiting trial are under constant scrutiny, their telephone calls may be listened into, letters are read. Certainly their fellow inmates will show little loyalty and will cheerfully trade information to the authorities in the hope of gaining some benefit for themselves. Absolute caution is always necessary. Maybe the idiot had dropped his guard. If he had, it could prove to be a very costly lapse in concentration.

Muirhead drew on his pipe and grimaced. The tobacco was spent. Time for bed, although he doubted if he would sleep much. Too many thoughts in his head. Things were getting interesting, to say the least. He had just turned out the lights in the study when the phone rang. Muirhead lifted the handset and said, ‘James Muirhead.’

‘Mr Muirhead, I’ve got a piece of advice for you. Get out of the Gallagher case or you could find your health deteriorating – rapidly.’

‘Very funny – who is this?’

‘Never mind who this is, just take the advice. This is not a joke, Mr Muirhead.’

‘If you think I’m going to pay attention to some idiot who won’t tell me who he is, you’re off your head. Now, tell me who you are and what you want or frankly I suggest you fuck off, to put not too fine a point on it.’

‘You’re being very stupid, Muirhead. I was giving you some advice, friendly like. Now I’m telling you. Drop the Gallagher case.’

The line went dead.

Muirhead dialled 1471 but was not overly surprised to find that the caller had withheld the number.

Nutcase…has to be, he told himself. Nonetheless, he felt a distinct sense of unease. He had received letters from cranks before calling him every name under the sun and casting serious doubts on his parentage. But to actually hear the voice conveying the threat, that was different.

And yet, it was, to say the least, an odd demand. Even if he did withdraw from the case, could withdraw from the case, another counsel would be instructed to take over. Muirhead knew that life was anything but predictable when you are dealing with juries. Maybe he would win, but equally maybe he could lose. Maybe somebody else would win. Maybe not. What could possibly be the reason for someone wanting him to pull out? Yes, he was good, very good, but there were no guarantees.