Shortly after midday Des ''Tuppence'' Moran hobbled out of the Ascot Pasta and Deli Cafe in Union Road, a place near his northern Melbourne home where he regularly enjoyed a coffee. The 60-year-old had his leg operated on in recent months and was not moving as freely as he was used to.

He was met by two men in balaclavas. Each carried a gun.

Witnesses heard three quick shots in a row. A fourth made sure he was dead.

The men ran a block and a half to a waiting getaway car. Moran's body stayed in the doorway for more than seven hours, the fourth Moran man to be shot dead in public.

Within 15 minutes, the estranged widow of Des's late brother, Lewis, Judy Moran, was at the scene, wailing in a show that left an impression on witnesses. Those who knew the two had little love for each other were less impressed.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bateson led the homicide squad team first called to the scene. He had worked on the Purana Taskforce, which investigated the murders chronicled in the book and television drama Underbelly, and helped prosecute the man convicted for two other Moran murders, Carl Williams.

Chief commissioner Simon Overland said the coincidence of Bateson being on the scene helped early in the investigation.

''It was his crew that responded to the initial call. It was fortuitous in a way because of his deep background and his understanding of what's gone on,'' Overland said.

As journalists arrived, the woman who enjoys being known as the Moran matriarch had apparently decided to leave. One resident was overheard saying, ''Did you see her? She looked just like the actress that played her in Underbelly.''

As night fell on Melbourne on Monday, events seemed to unfold according to the well-worn scripts. As with his murdered relatives, Des Moran was not exactly an innocent victim. Some say the once violent stand-over man, who served jail time for drug offences, was amiable compared with his relatives. Others say he was the more dangerous.Fears of reprisals were discussed, whether anyone was left to kill was joked about, and of those not dead or jailed, Mick Gatto and Roberta Williams had a word or two to say.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times