From the way the stick-up was staged, it’s my bet Baird did it. There was a prowl car within twenty yards of the robbery, and the officers didn’t see or hear a thing in spite of the fact it was done in broad daylight. Baird specialises in that kind of recklessness. He’s been hanging around this club for the past few months, so I thought I’d drop in and see if you and he were dividing the spoils.’
Rico sipped his whisky, patted his thin lips with a stiff linen handkerchief and stared back at Olin, his eyes intent and sick looking. At this moment he wished he had never had anything to do with Baird.
‘Couldn’t she identify him?’ he asked. ‘He’s big enough. I don’t like that last remark of yours, Lieutenant. You can’t talk that way to me.’
Olin tapped ash on to the carpet. He showed his teeth in a mirthless smile.
‘Can’t I? Who’s going to stop me? The reason why she can’t identify Baird is because he murdered her!’
Rico gulped, and his smile slipped. He thought with horror of the bracelet in the safe.
‘Murdered her?’ he croaked. ‘How do you know Baird did it? What proof have you got?’
‘He’s a killer,’ Olin said quietly. ‘I’ve rubbed around with crooks long enough to know who will kill and who won’t. Ever since Baird blew into town I’ve been watching him. I knew sooner or later he’d break loose and kill someone. He’s dangerous, Rico. Up to now you’ve played around with the little punks, but Baird isn’t a little punk. He’s a kil er. Take my tip and keep clear of him. The guy who tries to pass that bracelet is booking himself a one-way ride to the gas-box.’
Rico felt a cold chill run up his spine. He hurriedly gulped down the rest of the whisky.
‘I’ve never been in trouble,’ he said, his face twitching. ‘You’ve nothing on me. You never have, and you never will have.’