*****

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 to

Oh, God…

are you going into

so, Master. It’s too

early? It’s way

But, I’m

just going to talk

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

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

is going into

mouth. “She’s not due for another…

no way I can leave

can’t. Call your clinic. Tell them you’re on your way with her. I’ll bring

*****

Michael

and after a cautious moment, Klempner and I

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

hard not to actually touch anything. “You'd think he could afford

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

prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the point in being wealthy if you live like

me, watching

shots of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a

return, but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its own pace.

chewing on his lower lip. “Nothing

couples, triples and more; rooms where girls

know they're on camera?”

of the City High and Mighty

view flickers again: a corridor lined by a series of barred and padlocked doors. Each door has a small viewing window.

‘cells’ to me,”

them either working or locked up until he’s sure he

to supply

simply staring at

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

of course, he’s

shifts once more…

corner of the

gorge rises.

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

Comments ()

0/255