Michael

“James, we have to tell her. Given her condition, Mitch has to know. ”

He exhales slowly, avoiding my eye. “Yes, she does. I’ve… been avoiding it…”

“Hoping it would go away? That Klempner would contact us out of the blue and we could warn him? That just like that, everything would be alright?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“If Mitch doesn’t have all the facts, she can’t make proper decisions. She’s going to need support. And part of that support is to give her the truth. It’s not doing her any favours to be kept in the dark.”

“You’re right of course.” James squeezes his eyes closed, presses at a temple. “Let’s get it over with. Can you get everyone together. We’ll need the family with her for this.”

*****

Richard and Beth drop what they are doing, joining us in the lounge. Georgie appears shortly afterwards, strolling in from the hotel with a speculative look in her eye.

Elbow resting on the chair arm, I talk behind my hand to James in the next seat. “You think it’s a good idea to have Georgie here?”

“She’s family too,” he snaps. “And she was also targeted by that maniac woman. So, yes, she should be here.”

Turning away from me, he flips open his mobile, giving the screen a couple of taps. “Hickman? Yes, it’s James. Could you join us in the house, please… Yes, right away.”

I bite down on my doubts. Georgie sits off to one side, silently waiting, regarding me from under lidded eyes as she sees me watching her.

But it’s James’ call…

His daughter…

His problem…

Or at least, the problem he created…

Charlotte perhaps has similar reservations. She meets my gaze for a long moment, her attention broken as James speaks. “Charlotte, could you fetch your mother, please. Tell her I need a word.” He stares at his feet for a moment, then, “Don’t say more than that. This has to come from me. Try to keep her calm.”

Sucking at her lips, Charlotte nods and heads out.

James paces the room, looking as though he’s just been asked what he would like for his last meal.

Richard pushes a glass into his hands. “Calm down. We all know it wasn’t intentional.”

James knocks back half an inch of golden liquid, then thrusts the glass back at Richard. Legs akimbo, his back to the fire, he stares moodily into space, cracking his knuckles.

any expression. He takes an armchair at the back of the room; leaning back,

hooked through her mother’s. Mitch pauses in the doorway, brow furrowing as she sees the gathering.

to an armchair. “Um… why don’t you sit down, Mitch.

it? Is it about Larry? You’ve heard something?” Her voice snatches. “Has… something happened to

“Please, Mitch, sit down.”

her hand. “Sit by

something I

the seat. “Mitch, please sit down. James needs to talk and it’s

but sits, sandwiched between me and Charlotte, who

slow, speaks like one making

As indeed,

fooled into uploading

Set a

cloud, so that when

and then, how James himself was hacked, and that virus now has control

that it is Juliana

“Mitch, I’m sorry. I never intended any of this, but

pale… paler than usual, her complexion sallow. “Are you telling me that woman can trace exactly

sorry, Mitch. But yes, that’s almost

to tell any of us what you were doing?” Her tone

James doesn’t reply.

still flat stomach. “What exactly is she

He swallows…

“Tell me,

she has control. She’ll certainly know where he is. She’ll have his log-ins, passwords and his entry codes. She’ll be able to use the camera and the microphone. If he carries it in his pocket as he usually does, she won’t be able to see much, but she will be able to

his forehead. “Larry uses a top-line model. It’s capable

him,

in. “This doesn’t get us anywhere. Hickman, how long is it now since you last had

James a look that would etch glass

did he

a day. Different times. Different pattern. Mainly…” He looks towards Mitch… “… it was to ask

last thing you

to obtain the information regarding the organised crime

James. “I’d have been

swings his gaze

“Klempner’s in trouble because of me. I’ll book

has lost its edge. “Mr Alexanders, I know you mean well, but if Mr Klempner has encountered the kind of trouble that

I say. “I can

Mr Summerford.” Hickman sucks at his lips, rubs his

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

Comments ()

0/255