*****

Richard

My mobile rings. I snatch it up. “Yes, Ross?”

“I've lost contact with James. They've made him leave the phone behind when they sent him on the next leg…”

Fuck…

How do we help him now?

“… And the earpiece. And…” Ross’ voice is shaky… “Richard... They… the kidnappers I mean… they spoke to me via the connection. I recorded it all. I'm playing it back to you.”

Klempner. You know who this is.

Just like you to let this tired old bastard run the gauntlet. But that's just you all over isn't it. Letting someone else take the heat.

We'll have the money very shortly. And believe me, it had better be all the money in that bag. But the deal’s not sealed until we have you too. Until then, that darling daughter of yours is going nowhere.

The voice snaps off. There’s a moment’s hiss then Ross speaks again. “Richard, what do you want me to do? Should I call the police?”

“No… don’t do that. If they think the police are involved, they’ll almost certainly murder Charlotte… and her baby… before Michael and Klempner can get to her.”

“What then?”

What indeed?

Should I go?

Leave Mitch to look after Elizabeth?

*****

How do I tell her this?

Wearily, I climb the stairs to find my sleeping wife.

But she’s not sleeping. “Elizabeth… There’s been a development. Ross has…” I stop, mid-sentence. “Elizabeth?”

From the pillow, she stares up at me, wide-eyed. “I’m sorry, Master…”

“Sorry? Elizabeth, what’s wrong?”

still about fifteen minutes apart. I didn’t want

Oh, God…

you

“I think so, Master. It’s too early I know, but

early? It’s way

know, Master. But,

calm. I’m just going

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

screwing the top onto a flask. “Hot coffee,” she says. “And I’ve packed

is going

“She’s not due for another…

Mitch, there’s no

her. I’ll bring your car to the front, get the engine turning over, then it’s warm when

*****

Michael

a cautious moment, Klempner and I

with cigarette smoke, the walls and ceiling perhaps once white but now yellowed and draped with dusty

take the chair recently occupied by Finchby, trying hard not to actually

he

runs the women as prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the point in being wealthy

by me,

an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various corridors... Each

but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its own

slowly, chewing on his lower lip. “Nothing from the

couples, triples and more; rooms

know

a fingernail at the screen. “Some of the City High and Mighty

a series of barred and padlocked doors. Each door

‘cells’

to keep them either working or locked up until he’s

used to

staring at him, leaning in, intent

doesn’t turn from the screen. “Michael, you know my past. I’m not going to spend every waking moment apologising for it. Now… shall we get

of course, he’s

image shifts

corner of

gorge rises.

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