“Well, Jim,” Watters spoke across the battered table. He had released Jim from the cell and ordered him to appear at Betty’s Welcome before the public’s doors opened. “I’m sorry you had to spend two nights in the cells.”
“It wasn’t fair, Mr Watters,” Jim said, tossing the hair from his eyes.
“You are right,” Watters said. “It wasn’t fair of me.”
“I never done anything wrong.”
“You got a warm bed and free food,” Watters reminded, “and a talkative companion.”
“Talkative? That was Thiefy Campbell,” Jim said at once. “He was the lush I told you about.”
“Was he?” Watters affected surprise. “The last piece of information you gave me was useful, Jim. Did Thiefy say anything else?”
Jim flicked away his hair again. “Maybe,” he said.
“Maybe?”
Jim looked sideways at Watters. “How much, Mr Wa
