I adjusted my tie, it had taken four attempts to get the knot just right, it had to be perfect. I put my jacket on while walking down the stairs and stopped to check myself in the full length mirror in the hall. If I was going to be splashed across the newspapers I wanted to look my best.

Walking to the car I turned slowly to take a look at the house. I never dreamed I’d live in a place like this when I was a kid on the streets, playing hooky from school because I couldn’t understand enough English to avoid the teachers trying to beat the lessons into me. The only thing I learned from this was violence, and how effective a weapon pure unadulterated fear can be, and that was the main tool I’d used to get my lifestyle, and this house.

The lawyer was already in the back of the car, I climbed in beside him, he was coaching me all the way to the courthouse. Don't say this, make sure you say that, be polite, don’t appear aloof…... what the fuck does aloof mean? I was looking out of the window, his words washing over me like the lectures my father used to give me about earning an honest living and not getting mixed up with the wrong people.

I’d told Bruno to take a route through the old neighbourhood, continuing to stare out of the window oblivious to the lawyer who persevered with his coaching. I tried not to think about what it was costing me to ignore him, this wasn’t my first rodeo, but I was about to ride the Daddy of all broncos so maybe I should listen? At that moment it felt like paying him even one dime was too much, it wasn’t meant to come to court. He was supposed to take care of it.

We drove past the places I started in this life, the streets where I cut my teeth, where I ran errands for wise guys, the stores I robbed, the place I saw that fucking teacher rolling drunk out of a bar and made the instant decision to mug him, He didn’t put up much of a fight but by then I was big enough to give him back all the things he’d given me, and I gave it to him good.

The car stopped and my door was opened, flash bulbs went off in my face, reporters shouting questions, asking whether I was gonna beat the rap, asking if I have any regrets, do I have anything to say? 

Yeah, I have something to say, I say Fuck You.

The door from the judge’s chambers opens. 

All rise for the Honorable Judge Randolf Scott.

What the fuck? This isn’t the judge we were expecting, this judge is one of ours, he’s more crooked than a barrel of fish hooks.

I turned to the lawyer and he winked.

On reflection he was worth every penny.