Rico ran his hands over MacAdam as if he were handling a snake. He took from the shoulder holster a .38 police special.
‘Get his wallet,’ Baird went on.
Rico found the wallet, opened it and found MacAdam’s buzzer and licence.
‘A shamus,’ he said bitterly.
‘Yeah,’ Baird said. ‘Okay, brother, do what you’re told and you won’t get hurt. This is where we part company. Where’s your car?’
‘At the end of the street,’ MacAdam said.
‘Let’s take a look at it,’ Baird said. ‘Get going!’
MacAdam walked stiffly down the dark street with Baird at his heels. Rico remained with the Packard. When they reached the Lincoln Baird said, ‘Open the hood and give me the rotor arm. This is as far as you go.’
MacAdam leaned forward and reached for the hood catch.
Baird set himself. He brought the gun butt down on Mac-Adam’s skull, driving him to his knees. He hit him again, then kicked his unconscious body out of his way, lifted the hood and removed the rotor arm.