man

gangsters modify the things. See the loop of rope? Drop it over a victim’s head and draw it tight over his neck, and you ensure cooperation. If the victim tries to yank free, he’ll probably yank the trigger. That’s the end of the victim. The gangster can draw the loop tighter to control his victim. It’s very good for kidnapping.”
“Charming.” Harris handed the weapon off to the next guardsman.
* * *
The second floor of the office building had been arranged into bedrooms and barracks rooms. Lieutenant Athelstane reported that the building had, until recently, housed more than the thirty or so men the raid had killed or captured. “We have a singer,” he told Doc. “But he won’t perform in sight of the others.”
“Let’s find him a private office,” Doc said.
One of the offices downstairs was actually set up for business, with a desk and an adding machine nearly as big as an old-fashioned cash register. Alastair brought in extra chairs for Doc’s associates.
Athelstane dragged in one of the captured gangsters. This man had a square face and slack expression under intelligent-looking eyes. His ears rose to a dramatic point; his hair was blond and he was clean-shaven. He was dressed only in trousers, and his hands were shackled in front of him with handcuffs the color of tarnished copper. Athelstane shoved him into the chair behind the desk; Jean-Pierre turned the desk lamp so it shined into his face. The man’s eyes