‘I was playing football with my wee boy and he kicked me between the legs.’

Plausible…barely, but still plausible.

‘Your fingerprints were found at the top of the bandit screen on the inside of the glass.’

The client thought long and hard before declaring: ‘You’re on your own with that one, Mr Muirhead.’

The laughter subsided.

‘Ah well, nothing new in that Jack, nothing new at all. Donald and I will get together on Sunday and go over everything again.’

‘If you need me, give me a call.’

‘Fine. As we say in the trade, we’ll see you in court.’

‘I see you’ve got the Jag back. Any more funny phone calls?’

‘No. Just some crank I suspect. Strangely enough, I thought it was going to bother me, but since nothing else has happened I’ve just ignored it.’

‘Didn’t tell the police then?’

‘No, they’ve enough to do rounding up more business for us without wasting time on rubbish like this.’

‘Quite sure?’

‘Absolutely. No problem.’

‘Monday then?’

‘Monday.’

‘The person you recommended had proved unsatisfactory. Not up to the job.’

‘So?’

‘So, what are you going to do about it?’

‘What am I going to do about it? I wasn’t aware it was my problem. You asked for a name, so I gave you a name. If I’d been there it would have been well sorted by now. You’re the one who told me to keep away.’

‘Don’t get fucking smart.’

‘Look, I told you it was a daft idea and it wouldn’t work. I also told you if you wanted it done right, I would come and do it. But no, no, you were the big man. You would see to it. Now you’re blaming me for a fuckup. Well, old son, there are two words and the second one is, off.’

‘It’s in both our interests that Gallagher goes down.’

‘From where I’m sitting, I couldn’t give a rat’s arse one way or another.’

‘It won’t be that if he gets off and the filth start digging again. You never know, someone might just blow in their ear.’

‘Don’t threaten me, you little bastard.’

‘Take it easy, take it easy. I wasn’t getting at you.’

‘No, you were fucking threatening me. No one does that, especially not the likes of you. If anything happens to me, I won’t go down alone, and you better fucking believe it.’

‘OK. OK. I’m sorry. I’m grateful. You did me a big favour.’

‘Don’t be smart.’

‘Can we talk, sensibly?’

‘I can – can you?’

‘I need your help. Will you help me...please?’

‘That’s better. Fifty K.’

‘Fifty grand!’

‘Plus expenses.’

‘Are you off your fucking head?’

‘This line seems to be breaking up. I didn’t hear you say yes.’

‘OK. OK.’

‘Pardon!’

‘YES.’