Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Striding through the bar, “Where is she? Angelo, have you seen her?”

Palms held placatingly upwards, “Hey, Larry calm down. I ain’t done nothing. Yes, I’ve seen her. Cops came sniffing after her. Said she was pushing…”

“That’s crap and you know it…”

“You know it. I know it, but they came asking.”

Something in his manner doesn’t sit well. “What did you tell them?”

His face drops.

“What did you tell them?”

“Hey, they had me in an awkward spot. Got me by the curlies…”

He backs away as I step around the bar, standing close to look down on him. “What did you tell them?”

“They wanted her address and…” He crunches up as my fist sinks into his abs.

“Anything else you told them?”

“No… just that. It’s all the cop wanted…”

Gathering up his shirt in one hand, I haul him upright again, pulling him up and off-balance. “And have you seen her since?”

“Two days ago. She was with Frank. She was pretty upset.”

“She left with him?”

“Yes.”

“Is that all you want to tell me?”

“Yes, that’s it, Larry. Honest.”

I release him and he drops, arms clutched to his stomach. “If I hear that you missed anything, I’ll be back. Understand me?”

Speechlessly, still wheezing, he nods.

*****

Frank?

Where to find him?

… Them…

Office…

I’d like to speak with Mr Conners,

sir. Mr Conners isn’t here today.

as soon as possible. He’ll

“I’ll do that, sir.”

down. Something in the

Was he there?

to me would you, to

sound of office clatter in the background. “Of course, sir.

arrest made on a young woman. Probably the drug squad. Michelle Kimberley. You

voice hangs. “There was, sir, an

?

tone doesn’t

“What kind of incident?”

car myself, sir. I think this would

the receiver up again…. What the

*****

been

Blessingmoors after spending an

Shit…

the fuck did that happen? Who let her in? The place

guard concerned will not be committing any similar faux pas, sir. And I believe the example made of him will discourage any

“And the girl?”

other intruder I would have taken steps to eliminate them. However, since I know of your interest in this woman, instead I decided it would

temperature rises. Bech backs away a

took it upon yourself

lifts. “Sir, you were not here. Someone had to take charge of

you try to contact

swallows, licking at dry lips. “Sir, this woman is dangerous. I realise you are... attracted to her but try to be objective for a moment. A prostitute, albeit a high-class prostitute, has drawn your attention, perhaps persuaded to spend money on her. She knows too much and what is more,

“Who to?”

“Her lawyer for one.”

you done

“The lawyer will not

she spoken

the sense not to speak during her interview, other than to claim she was innocent of the charges. She was not believed…” He hesitates.

“Such as?”