“I'd let her go,” Charles advised.

“For the love of Christ,” Cecil muttered. “Baxter! Take her outside and let her do her business.”

Ellie jumped to her feet and followed Baxter out of the room. As soon as they were out of Cecil's earshot, she hissed, “How much is he paying you?”

Baxter looked at her with a shrewd look in his eye.

“How much?” Ellie persisted. “I'll double it. Triple it.”

He glanced back at the doorway and yelled, “Hurry up!” Then he jerked his head toward the front door, signaling her to follow him outside. Ellie scurried after him, whispering, “Cecil is an idiot. I'll bet he cheats you once you've killed us. And has he offered you double for having to kidnap me, too? No? That's not fair.”

“You're right,” Baxter said. “He should've given me double. He only promised to pay me for the earl.”

“I'll give you fifty pounds if you come to my side and help me free the earl.”

“And if I don't?”

“Then you'll have to take your chances that Cecil will pay you. But from what I've seen in there at that so-called card table, you're going to end up with empty pockets.”

“All right,” Baxter agreed, “but I want to see the money first.”

“I haven't got it with me.”

His face grew menacing.

“I wasn't expecting to be abducted,” Ellie said, talking quickly. “Why would I have brought that much coin with me?”

Baxter stared hard at her face.

“You have my word,” Ellie said.

“All right. But if you cheat me I'll swear I'll slit your throat as you sleep.”

Ellie shivered, having no doubt that he told the truth. She held up a hand in a prearranged signal to Leavey and Helen that all was well. She couldn't see them, but they were supposed to have followed her. She didn't want them charging out and spooking Baxter.

“What are you doing?” Baxter demanded.

“Nothing. Just brushing my hair from my face. It's windy.”

“We've got to get back inside.”

“Yes, of course. We don't want Cecil to grow suspicious,” Ellie said. “But what are we going to do? What is our plan?”

“I can't do anything until I talk to Riley. 'E needs to know we've changed sides.” Baxter's eyes narrowed. “You'll be giving him fifty quid, too, right?”

“Of course,” Ellie said quickly, assuming that Riley was the other thug guarding the doorway.

“All right. I'll talk to 'im as soon as I can get 'im alone and then we'll make our move.”

“Yes, but—” Ellie wanted to say that they needed more of a strategy, more of a plan, but Baxter was already dragging her back inside. He pushed her through the door to the inner room, and she stumbled onto the bed. “I'm feeling much better now,” she announced.

Cecil grunted something about not caring, but Charles regarded her thoughtfully. Ellie shot him a quick smile before looking back to Baxter, trying to remind him that he needed to speak with Riley.