‘You said there was more,’ Redmond growled down the phone at Gary Tooley.
Days had passed since their meeting. He was beyond impatient now.
‘There is. I know there is. But the old bint, you don’t know when – or if – she’s going to call again. She’s crazy, unpredictable. I have to wait.’
‘I paid you five grand,’ said Redmond.
‘Yeah, and I gave you the stuff you wanted for that.’
‘It’s not enough.’
‘Tough.’
‘What use is that information to me? Barolli’s dead. This mad sister of his? Let the old bitch suffer and die at her own pace. Do I care?’
‘I don’t know what you want from me. I’ve told you—’
‘I want more. You said there would be more, and I want it.’
Gary heaved a sigh. ‘As I said—’ he started, and Redmond slammed the phone down.
Gary put the receiver back on the cradle with a satisfied smile. He hoped he wasn’t pushing this too hard. In fact, he already had the information Redmond wanted, but Gary wanted him hungrier, willing to part with even more dosh this time.
Ten grand, he was thinking.
Yes, Gary already knew these things, but he was holding on, keeping his powder dry, building up Redmond’s interest and anxiety until he was desperate for a word on all this. Gary was playing a long game. Oddly, that batty old cow Gina Barolli hadn’t phoned him for a while now, but that didn’t matter – he had what he needed. That crazy-eyed cunt Delaney might be snapping at his heels, but he could handle him.
He was sure of it.
Ten grand for the big one, for the best and most shocking thing of all.
The news that Constantine Barolli was alive.