Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

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.”

we join the others

*****

Twenty-Six Years

seems convinced looks good. “Larry, great to see you.”

you bring them through

the

by the look of her; honey-skinned with hair that drapes her shoulders in glossy black ringlets, and amber-gold eyes that dart one way, then another between Finchby, myself

looks,” comments Finchby. “Quite exotic. Where’s

the last

“Does she speak English?”

at her shin with the toe

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

answer’s no,” says Bech. He turns to a boy, maybe ten years old, standing to one side. “You. Translate. Tell her to get

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

tell

“Yes, Boss.”

and if you don’t want to go the same way she’s

Boss. Sorry, Boss.” His skin is glossy, fair hair plastered to

European?

Dutch maybe…?

been granted special privileges…” comments Bech… “… because he has a knack for languages. However, he’s not going to keep those

me he has a couple of customers who would enjoy some 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

then lights

She protests something-or-other, but he gestures to Bech and Finchby. Her eyes well, then fall as she unbuttons her shirt. Bech stands

to sobs as she strips. She hesitates over what passes for her underwear,

her and weeping silently, she removes the last, then stands head lowered,

a try on that one myself before she moves

keep your fucking paws off her, Bech. I’ve them that’ll pay extra

I’ve not seen it before. Bech enjoys his little games and, for the most part, I’m happy enough to let

does it

something about

Is it her?

Or is it…?

different. Plenty that come

“I thought he’d be here

to me. Bech turns, addressing me, “Sir, Mr Yakovlevski here has spotted a niche and

to the girl, talking quickly and quietly. She looks up, her

In short…” Bech looks to Finchby… “… she goes to the highest

this, Bech? Nothing was said to me about an auction.

best price possible. Mr Klempner has expenses

know he gives you a cut for selling

how it works. A man’s gotta earn a living. Those swimming pools in the Bahamas don’t pay for themselves, do they?. And we’ve all got to settle

says Yakovlevski.