Serena caught hold of my arm.
‘Do you think they’re lying? If we let them have the money, we’ll have no hold on them at all.’
‘You haven’t a hold on them, anyway, Mrs. Dedrick. That’s what makes kidnapping such a filthy business. You’re entirely in their hands, and you just have to trust them.’
Wouldn’t it be better, my dear, if you let Mr. Malloy delivers the money, and you wait here for the second message?’ Marshland asked.
‘No!’
She didn’t look at him.
‘Serena, do be sensible. There’s always a chance they might be tempted to kidnap you. I’m sure Mr. Malloy is quite capable…’
She turned on him, distraught with misery and hysteria.
‘I’m going with him, and nothing you say will stop me!’ she cried wildly. ‘Oh, you needn’t pretend any more. I know you don’t want Lee to come out of this alive! I know you hate him! I know you’ve been gloating with joy that this has happened to him! But I’m bringing him back! Do you hear? I’m bringing him back!’
‘You’re being absurd…’ Marshland said, a faint flush coming to his face. His eyes looked hard and bitter.