He can tell us nothing.” Rupert got up, walked up to within inches of the gatekeeper’s face, and peered down into his half-closed eyes. Wadid smiled and nodded and said something in singsong. Rupert grasped him by the upper arms, lifted him off the floor, and held him aloft for a moment. Wadid’s eyes opened wide. Rupert gave the man a shake, then set him down. Wadid stared at him, mouth opening and closing. “Tell him, the next time I pick him up, I’ll pitch him out the window,” Rupert said. “Tell him, if he doesn’t want to test his flying skills, I recommend he answer a few questions.”
