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 isn’t here

to call me as soon as possible. He’ll

“I’ll do that, sir.”

the receiver down. Something in the receptionist’s tone sounded

Was he there?

there. “Get my car to me would you,

his voice low, the sound of office clatter in the background. “Of course, sir. And

know about an arrest made on a young woman.

voice hangs. “There

?

in his tone

“What kind of incident?”

myself, sir. I think this

What the fuck’s

*****

been happening,

woman was found leaving Blessingmoors after spending an unknown period

Shit…

did that happen? Who let her in? The place should be sealed down

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

“And the girl?”

to eliminate them. However, since I know of your interest in this woman, instead I decided it would be best to discredit and silence her. At least

Bech

took it upon yourself

lifts. “Sir, you were not here.

try to contact

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

“Who to?”

“Her lawyer for one.”

what have you done about

lawyer will not be a problem again,

she spoken to? The

other than to claim she was innocent of the charges. She was not believed…” He hesitates. “From the information I have obtained, it seems she has some very interesting

“Such as?”