Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

In the office, Charlotte, looking helpless, sits with arms wrapped around the wildly sobbing Kirstie, patting her on the shoulders, making crooning noises and pushing a conveyor belt of tissues into her hand.

I feel terrible.

Fucked that one up, didn’t I…?

Perching a hip on the desktop by her, “Kirstie… I’m so sorry. I tried…”

She sniffles into the tissues. “It’s not your fault, James. He wouldn’t listen to me. He wouldn’t listen to you.” She rummages in a pocket, tugs something out; a crumpled ribbon of velvet.

She holds it in her hand. The single pearl it carries dangles forlornly. “It’s done,” she says.

“Do you want to go home?” I ask. “I’ll drive you.”

Her head swings. “No, thank you, James. I’d rather work. I’d rather be here.”

*****

Klempner - Twenty-Six Years Ago

True to his prediction, Bech produces an address for Conners in under an hour. “I put Malory on there,” he says, “to check out if she’s there. It’s on the fourth floor, but he confirms he’s sighted a red-headed woman moving around inside.” He tugs at his chin, eyeing me speculatively. “What are your orders, sir?”

I want nothing more than to walk away from this. To lie down. To sleep away the banging inside my head.

“Sir?”

This is about survival…

“Sir, we cannot let this woman run free. She knows too much. She’s a loose cannon.”

He’s right…

But I can’t bring myself to give the order.

Bech inhales. “Sir, I understand that you find this difficult. If you wish, I will handle it.”

“No!”

Bech jolts at my tone.

More calmly, “No. As you say, Bech. It has to be handled. Tell Malory to stay where he is. Keep a track of where they are. We’ll meet him there.”

*****

By the elevator, Malory is waiting for us as we arrive. In blue overalls and with a toolbox on hand, he’s making a show of working on a radiator under the window. Conners’ apartment is down the corridor one way. In the other direction; the landing branches to the stairwell, then more apartments.

“They both inside?” I ask.

“She’s inside.” Malory thumbs out of the window, down and across the street. “He’s in the take-out. Saw him go in there ten minutes ago.”

Bech grunts. “Should be due out any minute now then.”

As we watch, a familiar figure, carrying a large flat box, exits the pizza parlour and crosses the road. He enters the building and a few seconds later the indicator for the elevator flashes downwards for the ground floor.

“You two stay in the background,” mutters Bech. “I’ll meet and greet our Mr Conners.”

panel. Bech stands away from the elevator to be behind Conners as he exits and

“Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I have a word please.” He flashes a badge, and for just a moment,

eyes widen in

the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping and coughing.

“Keys,” I snap.

reaches into one pocket, then another. Then frisks him. “Not on him.” He glances at me and I nod

going to call her and tell her to open the door. All very normal. Nothing to upset her. If

His voice chokes. “I thought we

be why you tried

You going to do as you’re told?” He pushes him away and along the corridor, the

one side. Conners looks to me again, sweating. I raise

speak. “Mitch…” He swallows. “Mitch. It’s me. Open

peep-hole, the rattle of a door chain, the

in a foot, pushing hard and from beyond, there’s a shriek

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

and Malory barrel in, pushing Conners ahead of them. As I follow in behind, Bech is on

“Get your fucking hands off

all around his eyes. Then he subsides, pushing her away with the flat of his palm on her

“Get him out of my sight.

his chin to Malory. The two frog-march Conners, squealing all the way,

hair a-fly… Her breath comes

back. “Don’t you dare come near me.

against the wall, she darts eyes this way and

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt you. I

about Frank? What about those girls I saw? Chained up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust drips through her voice.

abs clench. I don’t

she’d found a maggot in her food. “Is that what you would have done with me once you'd

never… Mitch it’s different with you. You’re different.

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

going. When you left, I was coming to see you. To say yes.

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

now. I'm changing. You've changed me. I'll change it all, everything; Blessingmoors, everything. You can help. I want you

sell your women? Your goods? What will you do? Let them

free. Send them home. If that’s

it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he agree to all

as

frantic. Her eyes are softening. “Come with me, Mitch. Please. You know it’s good between us. Be

raises.

You ran to him…

chose him

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and I'll let

you, isn't it? Coercion. Force. You have no

away. Carefully, I reach, holding her at the shoulders. I drop my