Ian Rankin. Saints of the shadow bible.Page 24.

'I saw the state of your Golf. The airbag probably saved your life. Silly not to have seat belt fastened.'

Traynor stiffened (to become less relaxed and more formal) as he took this in (to understand completely the meaning or importance of something). Jessica's eyes widened. 'I always do up (to fasten something or become fastened) my seat belt,' she protested.

'The motorist (a person who drives the car) who found you, the one who called for the cavalry, says you weren't strapped in (to fasten a seat belt around someone in a car, aircraft or other vehicle).'

     'Couldn't it have come undone (unfastened) on impact?' Traynor asked.

Any idea why one of your boots ended up (finally be in a particular place) on the passenger-side floor?'

'I don't understand.' Jessica Traynor's eyes flitted (to fly or move quickly) from one face to another.

Again, it's something I've not come across (to meet or find by accident) before.'

Her father leaned (to move the top part of the body in a particular direction) in towards her.

'Was there some sort of race going on?' Clarke asked. 'Maybe you got in the way they forced you off the road?'

Traynor had risen from his chair. His daughter had her eyes screwed shut and he was asking her if she was in pain.

The car went off the road, that's all.

His eyes told them he would brook (to not allow or accept something, especially a difference of opinion or intention) no argument. But still Clarke lingered (to take a long time to leave or disappear). It was Rebus, however, who spoke.