‘Hello, little brother,’ he said.
Maxie nearly jumped out of his skin.
‘Hey! What’s the idea? Who’s this guy with the gun?’ He tried to make his voice sound tough, but his eyes showed alarm. ‘Guns ain’t allowed in this building. I’ll have to report it.’
‘I’m afraid you won’t have the time,’ Barratt said. ‘I’m a little sick of you, Maxie. Now Gracie’s gone, I think we might get rid of you too.’
Maxie’s mouth fell open. He looked with horror first at Dedrick and then at Barratt. Hurriedly he put up his hands.
‘I won’t make any trouble, Mr. Barratt,’ he said. ‘You can rely on me…’
He caught his breath in a strangled gasp when he saw the knife in Barratt’s hand.
‘Sorry, Maxie.’ Barratt poked the knife into Maxie’s side,. ‘You’ve seen too much, and you’re too great a nuisance. Go into the bathroom.’
Maxie fell on his knees, his face turning green.
‘Don’t touch me, Mr. Barratt,’ he said between locked teeth.