*****

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?”

I didn’t want to disturb you until I was sure, but… I

Oh, God…

are you going

It’s too early I know,

It’s

know, Master. But, I’m pretty

I’m just going

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

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

Elizabeth is going

mouth. “She’s not due for another… what, ten

weeks. Mitch, there’s no

course, you can’t. Call your clinic. Tell them you’re on your way with her. I’ll bring your car to the front, get the engine

*****

Michael

Baxter exit, and after a cautious moment, Klempner and

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

mutters Klempner. But he regards the hovel of a

but he must be worth plenty. What's the point in being wealthy

pulling up the other seat by me, watching the screen with half an

quartered screen flicks between shots of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various corridors...

unresponsive, moving at its own pace. “He’s got plenty of cameras

his lower lip.

after another of couples, triples and

the clients know they're on camera?”

City High and Mighty

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

say ‘cells’

either working or locked up until he’s sure he

used to

words, finding myself simply staring at him, leaning in,

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

of course,

shifts once more…

a corner of the screen,

gorge rises.

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

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