*****

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?”

didn’t want to disturb you until

Oh, God…

are you going

too

early? It’s

But, I’m pretty

I’m just going to talk

Calm…

Stay calm…

*****

coffee,” she says. “And I’ve packed sandwiches for you

Elizabeth is going

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

weeks. Mitch, there’s no way I can leave

clinic. Tell them you’re on your way with her. I’ll bring your car to the front, get the

*****

Michael

and after a cautious

walls and ceiling perhaps

recently occupied by Finchby, trying hard not to actually touch anything. “You'd think

staff are employed differently,” mutters Klempner. But he regards

he must be worth plenty. What's the

simply pulling up the other seat by me, watching the screen with

looks like an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various

try tapping the return, but the feed is unresponsive, moving at its own pace. “He’s got plenty of cameras

nods slowly, chewing on his lower lip. “Nothing from the

after another of couples, triples and more; rooms where girls ‘entertain’

know they're on

High and Mighty there. Good blackmail material if he ever has any problems

again: a corridor lined by a series of barred and padlocked

doors say ‘cells’ to me,” I

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

to supply

finding myself simply staring at him,

I’m watching him. He doesn’t turn from the 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

course, he’s

image shifts once more…

corner of

gorge rises. “Oh,

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