‘Do be quiet, Jack,’ Paula said sharply. She was trying not to show how worked up she was, but the worried expression in her eyes gave her away. ‘Haven’t you any sense of decency?’
‘Oh, shut up, you two,’ I said, scowling at them. ‘You’re giving me the shakes. Now, let’s get this straight, Jack. The house will probably be watched, so you’ve got to keep out of sight. I’ll let you know where we’re going on my way out. Give us a good five minutes to get clear of the house, then follow on after us. Make certain no one sees you. We can’t afford to slip up on this. Whatever you do, don’t show yourself unless trouble starts, and then come out shooting.’
Kerman gulped.
‘What was that last bit again?’
‘I said come out shooting.’
‘I thought that’s what you said. Come to think of it, it mightn’t be a bad idea if I made a will myself.’
‘And for the love of Pete, try to shoot straight,’ I went on, looked at my wrist watch, stood up and shoved the .38 into the shoulder holster under my coat. ‘We’d better get off. If you don’t hear from either of us, Paula, by midnight, get on to Mifflin and tell him the tale.
‘She’ll hear from me,’ Kerman said, looking worried. ‘Well, damn it, I hope she will!’
‘Be careful, Vic,’ Paula said anxiously.
I patted her shoulder.