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.”

and I retreat to the stairwell, watching through the glass panel. Bech stands away from the elevator to be behind Conners as he

doors open and Conners steps out, heading for the corridor. Bech follows behind. “Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I

eyes

has no time to react. Bech cuts off his words with a punch in the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping

“Keys,” I snap.

frisks him. “Not on him.”

You’re going to call her and tell her to open the door. All very normal. Nothing to upset her. If anything does

rolls eyes at me. “Larry…” His voice chokes. “I thought

be why you tried to

“Only so many chances, Frankie. You going to do as you’re told?” He pushes him away and along the corridor, the barrel still

front of the door. Bech, Malory and I stand to one side. Conners looks to me

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

rattle of a door chain, the rasp of

a foot, pushing hard and from

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

in, pushing Conners ahead of them. As I follow in behind, Bech

your fucking

written there, the whites showing all around his eyes. Then he subsides, pushing her

Conners,” I say. “Get him out of my sight. I’ll deal with him

The two frog-march Conners, squealing all the

stands, chest heaving, hair a-fly… Her breath comes

back. “Don’t you dare come near me. Don’t touch

she darts eyes this

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

to hurt

I saw? Chained up. What happens to them?”

abs clench. I

her food. “Is that what you would have done

I would never… Mitch it’s different with you. You’re different. And… I’m different

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

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

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

like that. But it’s different now. I'm changing. You've changed me. I'll change it all, everything; Blessingmoors, everything. You can help. I want

What will you do? Let them go? Send them home, wherever they came

set them free. Send them home. If that’s what you want. If

as though working up saliva. “And your man there, that took Frank away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he agree to all this?

do as

panting isn’t quite so frantic. Her eyes are softening. “Come with me, Mitch. Please. You

head raises.

You ran to him…

chose him over

Some two-bit salesman...

and I'll let

works with you, isn't it? Coercion. Force. You have no concept of freedom

drop my forehead to hers. “I just want you to choose me. Choose