I was in a pub last night.  A very senior figure from Fianna Fail came up to me in the dark corner.

"Don’t you realise why Brian (Lenihan) hasn’t moved against Fingleton?"

"Go on."

"Follow the money.  What would it take to nobble Brian and have him give the impression the FF is in the pocket of the banker?  It would take a lot wouldn’t it?  After all it’s not helping our chances in the elections is it?"

"Say more.  I’m listening."

"Look, follow the money.  Only something much worse could be stopping Lenihan & Cowen from sorting Fingleton out, right?  Think about it.  That means Fingleton has something on either or both Brians.  Use you noddle."

"You mean…?

"Yes.  I do. And I’m not going to spell it out for you, but you can be sure Fingleton knows exactly what Brian squared has been up to.  Private stuff, that, if it came out, would finish one of them off, maybe both."

"What is it?"

"Look, that’s for me to point to and you to follow up. You’ve seen the film."

I turned to get a bit of my pint.

Turned back.  He was gone, into the shadows.