Spencer said, “I think this guy knows something. At the moment he won’t talk. Suppose you strip our friend here… maybe he’ll get inspiration that way.”
Mardi started to her feet. Her face had gone very white. Gus stepped over to her, and as she turned to run he grabbed her and twisted her round. One of his hands held her wrists.
Spencer looked over at me. “Well,” he said, “you can make your mind up. Gus has done this sort of thing before.”
I said with difficulty, “Tell that swine to take his hands off her.”
Spencer said coldly, “You’re wasting time.” He jerked his head at Gus. “Go ahead,” he said.
Gus grinned at me and moved towards Mardi. She suddenly came to life and kicked him on his shin. Her shoes weren’t hard enough to stop a guy like Gus.
I said quickly, “Okay, don’t touch her.”
Spencer said, “Hold it, Gus.” Then he turned to me. “Was it a man or a woman?”
“It was a woman.”
“How do you know?”