The next second four heavy blasters spoke at once. Beamish's gun dropped on the floor. Then it was quiet again, and I could hear the woman screaming, outside in the beating rain.
Melak got up. "Sure I double-crossed you," he said softly. "Why should I split with anybody? Nobody knows about it but us. Kapper couldn't send word from the swamps when he caught it, and he couldn't send word from here because he wasn't let.
"That critter'll bring anything I ask for it. Why should I split with you?"
Beamish didn't answer. I don't think Melak thought he would.
The noise from outside was getting louder. Bucky groaned.
"It's coming from the pitch, Jig. Trouble. We've got to...."
The table was yanked from over us. We got up off our knees. Melak looked at us. He was shaking a little and his green eyes were mean.
"I don't think," he said, "I really need you guys around, either." He jerked his head suddenly. "Cripes, I wish that dame would shut up!"
It was getting on my nerves, too—that monotonous, sawing screech. Melak stepped aside. "Get 'em, boys. I don't want 'em dragging their outfit down on our necks."
Four blaster barrels came up. My insides came up with them. I was way beyond anything, then—even panic.