‘Luigi wil look after things for me,’ he said. ‘I’ve got a couple of grand in here, and there’s the five grand from Kile. But unless I have to, I don’t want to go…’
The telephone bell rang sharply, cutting off his words. He answered it while Baird lounged in his chair and watched him.
‘Yeah, Sam. This is Rico. What’s going on down there?’ He listened, and Baird saw his face go green. ‘They have? Okay. Thanks, Sam. Come up to the club and see Luigi. He’l pay you off.’ He hung up and looked at Baird, who was already on his feet, reaching for the suitcase. ‘They’ve found her! Sam saw them hook her out about three minutes ago.’
‘Come on, then,’ Baird said. ‘Let’s get out of here fast. First stop Red River Basin.’
Rico tore at his hair.
‘Leaving all this! I’ll be ruined…’
Baird was already walking rapidly down the passage to the car park. Rico snatched up his hat and coat and rushed after him.
The dark blue Packard was waiting at the rear exit.
‘There’s another set of licence plates in the boot,’ the parking at endant said, coming up. ‘The tank’s full, and there’s a Thompson under the rear floor boards. Anything else I can do?’
‘Can you ditch the Buick?’