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…

dial his works number. “Hello, I’d like to

sorry, sir. Mr Conners isn’t here

soon as possible. He’ll know what

“I’ll do that, sir.”

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

Was he there?

“Get my car to me would you, to my hotel.

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

I need to know about an arrest made on a young woman. Probably the

“There was, sir, an

?

his tone doesn’t

“What kind of incident?”

sir. I think this would be better face to

the receiver up again…. What the fuck’s he

*****

been happening,

leaving Blessingmoors after spending an unknown period

Shit…

fuck did that happen? Who let her in?

not be committing any similar faux pas, sir. And I believe the example made of him will discourage any further laxity in the staff.

“And the girl?”

called me immediately. Had it been any other intruder I would have taken steps to eliminate them. However, since I know of your interest in this

Bech backs

it upon yourself

were not here. Someone had to take

you try

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, she is spilling what

“Who to?”

“Her lawyer for one.”

have you done about

tone returns. “The lawyer will not

she spoken

had the sense not to speak during her interview, 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

“Such as?”