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.”

to the stairwell, watching through the glass panel. Bech stands away from the elevator to be behind

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

his eyes widen

with a punch in the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping and

“Keys,” I snap.

frisks him. “Not on him.” He glances at me

it 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 her. If anything does upset her before the door opens, you’ll be taking the high-speed short-cut to the ground floor.

“Larry…” His voice

be why you tried to steal Mitch, eh?”

“Only so many chances, Frankie. You going to do as you’re told?” He

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

“Mitch…” He swallows. “Mitch.

a peep-hole, the rattle of a

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

in, pushing Conners ahead of them. As I follow in behind, Bech is on her, a hand at her throat, the

roar. “Get your fucking hands off

round to mine, fury written there, the whites showing all around his eyes. Then

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

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

breath comes in quick

back. “Don’t

the wall, she darts eyes

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt you. I would

to them?”

clench. I don’t

at me as though she’d found a maggot in her food. “Is that what

with you. You’re different. And… I’m different

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

was coming to see you. To say yes. To say, I’d give it a try.

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

changing. You've changed me. I'll change it all, everything; Blessingmoors, everything. You can

she hisses. “Not sell your women? Your goods? What will you do? Let

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

up saliva. “And your man there, that took Frank away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever

do as he's

isn’t quite so 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

across her face. “That's how it works with you, isn't it? Coercion. Force. You

holding her at the shoulders. I drop my forehead