Chapter 24

“Won’t that make a lot of noise?”

“I don’t think the thugs are always in the next room,” he said.

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’ve been listening carefully during the times I spent standing guard. You hear voices for a while, then you hear a door slam, then there is the definite sound of a car being started.”

“Meaning they’re going off somewhere?”

“No,” he said, “I think they’re sitting in their car with the heater running. That motor has a problem, and it makes a distinctive sound.”

“What kind of sound?”

“There’s a distinct sound of valve tapping. Tap-tap, pause, tap-tap. I think that motor might even have a collapsed lifter.”

“Whatever that is.”

“Do you want me to explain what I learned in all those shop classes?” he said.

“I’ll pass for now.”

“Anyhow, the heater thing gave me an idea.”

“So what’s your idea?”