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.”

the glass panel. Bech stands away from the elevator to be behind Conners as

open and Conners steps out, heading for the corridor. Bech follows behind. “Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I have a word please.” He flashes a badge, and for just a moment, Conners only sees the badge and the

eyes

his words with a punch in the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping and coughing. Then

“Keys,” I snap.

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

to Conners, holds it to his temple. “Here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to that door. You’re going to call her and tell her to open the door. All very normal. Nothing to upset

His voice chokes.

be why you tried to steal Mitch, eh?” He

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

and I stand to one side. Conners looks to me again, sweating. I raise brows and eye-point

taps, starts to speak. “Mitch…” He swallows. “Mitch. It’s me.

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

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

As I follow in behind, Bech is on her,

your fucking

all around his eyes.

“Get him out of my sight. I’ll deal with

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

hair a-fly… Her breath comes in quick bursts and her pupils

skitters back. “Don’t you dare come

darts eyes this way

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

I'm not going to hurt

“And what about Frank? What about those girls I saw? Chained up. What happens to them?” Her

abs clench.

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

No. I would never… Mitch it’s different with you. You’re different. And… I’m different when

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

was coming to

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

But it’s different now. I'm changing. You've changed me. I'll change

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

them home. If that’s what you want. If you’ll stay with

man there, that took Frank away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw

as

Her eyes are softening. “Come with me, Mitch.

head raises. “What about

You ran to him…

chose him

Some two-bit salesman...

and I'll let Frank

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

Carefully, I reach, holding her at the shoulders. I drop my forehead to hers. “I just want you to choose me.