“That’s up to you,” Joe snapped. “If it wasn’t for the gal you’d be safe enough. Seen anything of her?”
“Nary a sign.”
“She may have slipped away under water. The gal swims like an eel.”
“I don’t think she got away. I been watchin’ like a hawk.”
“She’s sure to spill everything, and she’s seen plenty,” Joe muttered. “Even though the cops don’t find any evidence, they could make it plenty tough for you and the missus.”
“We got to leave town,” Harper admitted. “After takin’ all this risk and bein’ all set to cash in big, it’s a dirty break. It ain’t fair.”
“Squawkin’ won’t do no good,” Joe said shortly. “The question is, what are we goin’ to do about the gal?”
“We got to make sure she won’t carry no tales until we’re safely out of town.”
“Then we’ll have to flush her out of this bird nest,” Joe decided. “There’s a way we can do it.”
The manner in which she was to be caught, soon became apparent to Penny. Systematically, the men began to flatten all of the grass with their paddles and oars. Foot by foot, she retreated. Their strategy was discouragingly clear. The flattened grass no longer offered protection. Soon it all would be level with the water, and she would have no screen.