*****

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?”

about fifteen minutes apart. I didn’t want to disturb you until I was sure, but…

Oh, God…

are you going

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

early? It’s way too

Master. But,

calm. I’m just going to talk

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

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

Elizabeth is going

raises a hand to her mouth. “She’s not due for another… what,

no way I can leave

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

*****

Michael

a cautious moment,

air is stale, musty with cigarette smoke, the walls and ceiling perhaps once

by Finchby, trying hard not to actually touch anything. “You'd think he could

he regards the hovel of a

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

says nothing, simply pulling up the other seat by me, watching the screen with half an

of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a

the return, but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its own pace. “He’s got

his lower lip. “Nothing from

after another of couples, triples and more; rooms where

clients know they're on camera?”

at the screen. “Some of the City High and Mighty there. Good blackmail material if he ever has any problems with

corridor lined by a series of barred and padlocked

‘cells’ to

either working or locked up

used to

finding myself simply staring

turn from the screen. “Michael, you know my past. I’m not going to spend every waking

course, he’s

shifts once more…

a corner of the

rises.

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