‘Shut up!’ he said softly. ‘Who’s behind your racket?’
‘No one, and it isn’t a racket,’ Zoe sobbed. ‘Let me go!’
Baird’s hand reached out and his fingers caught hold of Zoe’s chin. He raised her face and flashed the light in her eyes.
‘Bet er start talking, Toots,’ he said. ‘I’m in a rush. You don’t want me to persuade you to talk, do you?’
‘I tell you I don’t know what you mean,’ Zoe gasped, trying to break Baird’s grip.
‘Okay,’ Baird said, letting go of her. ‘If you want it the hard way, you can have it the hard way.’
Rico felt suddenly sick.
‘I feel il ,’ he said. ‘I — I can’t watch, Baird. Let me wait in the car.’
Baird stood up.
‘Go and wait in the car, you gutless monkey, but don’t run away.’