Parker shook his head in irritation. He hated this kind of thing, hurting people to make them talk. It was messy and time-consuming and there ought to be a better way. But there wasn't.
He found twine in a kitchen drawer, and tied her to the chair, and gagged her. She fought it, but not successfully. He left her right hand free and put paper and pencil on the table.
"Write the address when you're ready," he said. Then he reached for the kitchen matches.
- from The Mourner by Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake), 1960.
