The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer

1965

‘Let’s forget the gun, shall we?’

‘Don’t be stupid. You went to all the trouble of getting hold of it, and… Do you really think anyone will take us seriously without one?’

‘We’ll have, you know, masks…’

‘Balaclavas, yes.’

‘I’m sure that’ll do. It’s not like it’s their money; they’ll give us what we ask for.’

‘Trust me, there has to be some kind of threat.’

‘Yes, but I don’t feel comfortable about the gun.’

‘We’ve already agreed that I would carry it.’

‘It won’t be loaded, will it?’

‘For God’s sake, why not? It has to be loaded, or it’s just a bluff.’

‘OK, you take the gun, then. And you look out for me.’

‘Of course. I’ll always look out for you. It’ll be fine.’