*****

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

Oh, God…

are you going

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

It’s

know, Master. But, I’m pretty

just going to talk

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

a flask. “Hot coffee,” she says. “And I’ve

Elizabeth is going into

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

no

them you’re on your way with her. I’ll bring your

*****

Michael

Baxter exit, and after a cautious

with cigarette smoke, the walls and ceiling

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

employed differently,” mutters Klempner. But he regards the hovel of a room, lip

the laptop closer. “Okay, so he runs the women as prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the point

other seat by me, watching the screen

shots of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various

the return, but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its

his lower lip. “Nothing

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

clients know they're

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

lined by a series of barred and padlocked doors. Each

‘cells’ to me,”

grunts agreement. “Yes… Finchby tends to keep them either working or locked

used to supply

simply staring at him, leaning in, intent

I’m not going to spend every waking moment apologising for it. Now… shall we get on with

of course,

shifts once

corner of the

rises.

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

Comments ()

0/255