*****

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 into

too early I know, but

early? It’s way

Master. But, I’m pretty

calm. I’m just going to talk

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

“Hot coffee,” she says. “And I’ve packed sandwiches for you and…” Her voice trails off

Elizabeth is going

her mouth. “She’s not due for another…

no way

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

*****

Michael

Baxter exit, and after a cautious moment, Klempner

the walls and ceiling perhaps once white but now

trying hard not to actually touch anything.

employed differently,” mutters Klempner. But he regards the hovel

he runs the women as prostitutes, but he must be worth

other seat by me, watching the screen

of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various corridors... Each

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

chewing on his lower lip. “Nothing from

one room after another of couples, triples and more; rooms where girls ‘entertain’ their

know they're on camera?”

a fingernail at the screen. “Some of the City High and Mighty there. Good blackmail material if he ever

lined by a series of barred and padlocked doors. Each door has a small

say ‘cells’ to me,”

to keep them either working or locked up until

to supply

simply staring

my past. I’m not going to spend every waking

course, he’s

image shifts

in a corner of the screen,

gorge rises.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255