Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 15

Richard

I click off the video connection and almost immediately, there’s a tap at my door.

James?

Waiting for me to finish?

“May I come in?”

Yes… James…

He looks terrible…

“I wanted to apologise.”

I gather the sheaf of papers I was working with, injecting a business-like tone into my voice. “There’s nothing to apologise for my friend.”

Sounding unconvinced, “No?”

“No. We all have low points in our lives and I’d say you had one of those yesterday.” I regard the man standing in my doorway…

Face sallow…

Pupils like pin-holes…

Eyes like piss-holes in snow…

“How’s the hangover?”

“About what I deserve… Thank you for looking after Charlotte last night.”

“I wouldn’t have had it any other way, James.”

He stands, head lowered, seeming lost for words. This isn’t the James I know.

You’re not right yet, are you… Not by a long way…

I stand, walk across to him and am about to slap him on the shoulder….

Hangover…

Splitting headache…

Nausea…

… and settle for laying my hand on his shoulder. “James, I mean it. We all have times in our lives when our friends and family are what keep us going. If the positions were reversed, I’d like to think you and Michael would have done the same for Elizabeth. And she’s a lot more vulnerable than Charlotte ever will be.”

“Of course we would.”

Shall we join the

*****

 

Twenty-Six Years

waiting when I arrive, with his slicked-back hair and that garish medallion he seems convinced looks good. “Larry, great to see you.” He flashes his usual fake smile, the single gold tooth winking.

can you bring them through

the door.

black ringlets, and amber-gold eyes that dart one way, then another between Finchby, myself and Bech. The cuffs around her

Finchby. “Quite

on the last shipment

“Does she speak English?”

shin with the toe of

me, babbling something or other. The words are nonsense, but the pleading in the tone

to one side. “You. Translate.

She whimpers, clutching at the front of her shirt. It’s sweat-stained, stinking and in shreds, but

tell

“Yes, Boss.”

she still dressed? Tell her again, and if you don’t want to go the same way she’s going, do your

Sorry, Boss.” His skin is

European?

Dutch maybe…?

here has been granted special privileges…” comments Bech… “… because he has a knack for

time with you. So, if you don’t earn your keep here, you can easily be moved along. Now, tell this little slut to get her clothes off or we’ll do it for her.” He turns, his voice conversational. “You wouldn’t

lights up. “My pleasure.

he gestures to Bech and Finchby. Her eyes well, then fall as she unbuttons her shirt. Bech stands back, arms

to sobs as she strips. She hesitates over what passes for her underwear, but Bech says, “Tell

removes the last, then stands head lowered, trembling, her arms

try on

her,” says Finchby, “you’ll keep your fucking paws off her, Bech. I’ve them that’ll pay extra to have

and, for

does

about this

Is it her?

Or is it…?

different. Plenty that come

there’s someone else interested in this one.” He glances at his watch. “I thought he’d be

addressing me, “Sir, Mr Yakovlevski here has spotted a niche and is moving into the film industry. He’s looking for

the girl, talking quickly and quietly. She

to Finchby… “… she goes

Bech? Nothing was said to me about an auction. What’s in

Which is to get the best price possible. Mr

gimme a break, Bech. D’you think I don’t know he

a smile. I know how it works. A man’s gotta earn a living. Those

says Yakovlevski.

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