Alex said, “Yeah?” swung his fist and knocked Miller down, then he booted him hard.
Fenner said, “Hey! Don’t get too tough. I want to talk with that punk.”
Alex said, “That’s all right. I’ll have him in the right frame of mind.” He went on booting Miller.
Fenner left them and went down the wall towards the boats. Scalfoni was waiting for orders.
Fenner said, “Scuttle ’em. Keep one. We’ll go round the island an’ pick Kemerinski up. It’ll save walkin’.”
He went back to Miller, who had dragged himself off the ground and was imploring Alex to let him alone. Fenner told Alex to go and help Scalfoni. Fenner said to Miller, “I told your little louse what would happen. This is only the start of it. Where’s Thayler?”
Miller didn’t say anything. His head was sunk on his great chest and he made a strangled sobbing noise. Fenner rammed the Thompson into his ribs. “Where’s Thayler?” he repeated. “Talk, you punk, or I’ll spread your insides.”
Miller said, “He don’t come here. Honest to God, I don’t know where he is.”
Fenner showed his teeth. “We’ll see about that,” he said.
Scalfoni came running up. “They’re fillin’,” he said. “Suppose I toss in a few bombs to make sure.”