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to work the dogs. The Game was in his blood. He needed him to make it happen.
    ‘There’s no going back, Cal,’ he said, taking the phone out of his pocket.
    ‘I’m looking forward, mate.’ Cal’s smile broadened into a grin. ‘You want to stop worrying; you want this as much as I do.’
    Frank flipped open the mobile and punched in the number. He moved away as the telephone started ringing.
    Cal took a final few puffs on his cigarette and threw it onto the ground, trying to second-guess what was being said. He turned his back and waited as Frank made the deal.
    ***
    ‘Okay, then … Yeah, we’ll be ready. No problem, Northern.’ Frank listened to the final instructions. ‘I’ll be in touch.’
    He punched the off button, sucking in the air from his cheeks then puffing them out as he exhaled, wide eyes exaggerating his relief.
    ‘Well?’ asked Cal.
    ‘We’re on,’ came a cautious response. ‘But there’s been a slight change of plan.’
    ‘Yeah, what?’
    ‘He’s bringing Mick with him.’
    Cal looked blank. He waited for Frank to elaborate.
    ‘He’s bringing the boss. Mick. “The Waltz”.’
    They stood silently as the news sank in. It was something neither of them anticipated. Frank paused.
    ‘And it’s a dog of Mick’s that they’re going to match, not Northern’s.’
    It was unusual for someone of his status to make a personal appearance. Dealing with Northern Jack was one thing, but getting into bed with Mick was another. It raised the stakes an unwanted notch.
    ‘Okay, so they’re coming; we’ve got a match,’ said Cal. ‘What about the gear?’
    Frank moved in closer, his face and attitude serious.
    ‘Northern wants to go ahead, but he says it’s all down to Mick. Mick wants to check us out, make sure we’re okay. If he’s happy and likes what we’ve got to show him, it’s done.’
    ‘So what’s going to make him happy, Frank? What’ve we got to do?’
    Frank ordered his thoughts.
    ‘We put up a purse of two grand. Northern wants a dog for Mick’s that’ll go the distance, but it’s going to have to lose, and lose good. Good enough to make Mick think the fight ain’t no fix. The purse and the dog is just a buy-in. A gesture.’
    In his head, Cal picked out the dog for the job. One that wouldn’t need to be fouled but had the physique to impress, and the lungs to carry it: an underdog with no chance of winning.
    ‘They’re going to be bringing a few others with them that they want to impress,’ Frank continued. ‘Give them a good show and we’re sorted. All goes well and they’ll start us off with a thirty grand drop. Kilo of coke and half a key of brown.’
    The inside of his mouth was beginning to dry up. ‘If we’re organised, we’ll be able to double up on the cash in a couple of weeks. If the first one goes well they’ll drop whenever we need them to.’
    ‘Nice.’
    Cal clenched his fist by his side, but couldn’t stop a satisfied smile spreading across his face. Frank had done better than he had expected: the buy-in was reasonable and the prices excellent. Despite the original plan changing, he was keyed up, ready for it.
    ‘Don’t get too excited,’ Frank warned. ‘Northern’s putting his head on the block with this one, and he let me know it. Part of the deal will be a payment to him for helping us out and a retainer on each drop that Mick won’t know about. Piss about and it’s not just Mick we’re fucking with.’
    Cal was not going to let what little he knew of either Mick’s or Northern Jack’s reputations worry him. He was sure he and Frank could handle whatever came their way. A bit of organisation and he was sorted. Within a year he could be out of it forever.
    ‘We’re going to need some more lads to make up on the extra.’
    ‘It’s already being taken care of,’ said Cal. ‘Some good boys wanting to get on the books. I’ll arrange a few meetings.’
    As they headed out of the shadows towards the barn, Frank turned, a