*****

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?”

“They’re still about fifteen minutes apart. I didn’t want to disturb you until I

Oh, God…

are you

too early I know, but I think

early? It’s

But,

I’m just going

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

the top onto a flask. “Hot coffee,” she says. “And

think Elizabeth is going into

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

there’s no

your way with her. I’ll bring your car to the front,

*****

Michael

Baxter exit, and after a cautious moment, Klempner and

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

not to actually touch anything.

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

prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the

up the other seat by me, watching

like an entrance lobby, then a

but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its

his lower lip. “Nothing from the basement so

shift to one room after another of couples, triples and more;

if the clients know they're on camera?” I

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

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

say ‘cells’ to

keep them either working or locked

used to

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

screen. “Michael, you know my past. I’m not going to spend every waking moment apologising for it. Now… shall we get on with the task in

course, he’s

image shifts once more…

there, in a corner of

rises.

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