As the Packard started up, Gillis moved swiftly to the open door and stepped into the alley. He was in time to see the Packard shoot into the main street.
‘Anything you want, sir?’ the parking at endant asked suspiciously.
Gillis ignored him. He ran to the end of the alley and looked after the swiftly moving Packard. From across the road he heard a car start up, and he looked in its direction. He saw a dusty Lincoln pull out dangerously into the thinning traffic. It went after the Packard, cutting in front of other drivers, causing them to swerve and sound their horns. Gillis caught sight of a big fleshy man at the wheel, and he stared after him thoughtfully.
The man in the Lincoln worried him. Was he a policeman? Gillis thought that was unlikely.
Policemen usually hunted in pairs. Then who was he? What was he doing, tailing Baird?
He crossed the street and went into the bar. The barman knew him and nodded to him.
‘A Scotch, Jack,’ Gil is said, leaning against the bar. When the barman put the drink in front of him, Gillis went on, ‘Seen a big fat guy in here? He was wearing a dark green leisure jacket and a brown hat.’
The barman nodded.
‘Yeah, I’ve seen him. It’s my bet he’s a shamus. He’s been watching the club for the past hour.
Another guy joined him a while back, and they, went out together. The fat fella sat in his car and went on watching the club, the other one went into the club.’