This was certainly a strange case, but he had not known the Pitts and he saw plenty of messy deaths.

The betrayal would no doubt ensure Octavius a very messy death.

It would be a slow but relatively pleasant death, certainly less messy than a gun.

In fact, if Henry is to avoid a quick and messy death, his timing has to be perfect.

Hell, we're hanging together eighty feet above a messy death, aren't we?

But over the years he had seen how messy death could be, and how unnecessary heroism was.

Jenny's death had been fast (thank God) but very, very messy.

Now they faced a good chance of a messy, unlordly death.

He, on the other hand, was facing a messier death.

To fall or even stumble would presage a messy death.