He patted the bulge, grinning. ‘There lies half a turkey farm.’
Baird lit a cigarette. He held the flame of the match so it lit up his face. His eyes were like stones, and his expression menacing.
‘Maybe I’d better warn you not to try any tricks with me,’ he said softly. ‘Make sure you pul this job off or you won’t be interested in even half a turkey farm.’
Noddy flinched from the implied threat, but he managed an uneasy laugh.
‘Sure, sure,’ he said. ‘You can rely on me. You’l have Hater by tomorrow morning.’
When he had gone, Rico said uneasily, ‘I don’t trust that guy.’
Baird was settling down for the night. He pulled a blanket over him as he glanced up to stare at Rico.
‘What makes you think I do?’ he said curtly, and turned out the lamp.
II
From his lofty perch in the oak tree, Baird had a clear view of the large dipper dredge, operating a steam shovel that deposited its load in a waiting truck, parked on the concrete path constructed along the bank. Fifty yards farther upstream was a hydraulic dredge, driven by a diesel engine, that was removing the far side grass bank, widening the river.