*****

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?”

shaky… Then, “They’re still about fifteen minutes apart. I didn’t want to disturb

Oh, God…

you

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

early? It’s way

But, I’m

stay calm. I’m just going

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

Mitch in the kitchen, screwing the top onto a flask. “Hot coffee,” she says. “And I’ve packed sandwiches for

is going

raises a hand to her mouth. “She’s not due for

no way I can leave

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

*****

Michael

and Baxter exit, and after a cautious moment, Klempner and I enter the

with cigarette smoke, the walls and ceiling perhaps once white but now

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

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

runs the women as prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the point in being

up the other seat by me, watching

an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various corridors... Each quarter displays

moving at its own pace. “He’s got plenty

chewing on his lower lip.

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

know they're on

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

a series of barred and

‘cells’ to

“Yes… Finchby tends to keep them either working

to

lost for words, finding myself simply staring

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

course,

shifts

corner of the screen,

gorge rises.

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

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