I introduced them.
‘A very long, unpleasant wait,’ Marshland went on. ‘Surely it’s time they communicated with us?’
‘It needs five minutes to the three hours,’ I said, giving Kerman another drink and going back to the settee. ‘If they’ve released him, they’ll make sure he doesn’t get back here until they are well out of town.’
He half turned to stare at me.
‘I think it’s extremely unlikely they will release him,’ he said ‘If we don’t hear in another half-hour I propose calling the Police.’
‘That’s up to you,’ I said, ‘but as we’ve waited so long, I think we should wait until daylight. Even now any false move might be dangerous for him.’
‘I think he’s dead.’
I felt tired, and beyond making aimless small-talk.
‘Just what is it you dislike so much about Lee Dedrick, Mr. Marshland?’
He ignored this question, and stepped out on to the terrace. He remained out there for three or four minutes, then came in again and headed for the door.