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.”

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

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

his eyes widen

a punch in the gut that drops him

“Keys,” I snap.

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

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

at me. “Larry…” His voice chokes.

I. That must be why you

low 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 levelled

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

starts to speak. “Mitch…” He swallows.

click of a peep-hole, the rattle of a

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

in behind, Bech is on her, a hand at her throat, the gun coming up

“Get your

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

out of my

Malory. The two frog-march Conners,

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

me.” She skitters back. “Don’t you dare come near

darts eyes this

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt

those girls I saw? Chained up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust

clench.

as though she’d found a maggot in her food.

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

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

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

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

it’s different now. I'm changing. You've changed me. I'll change it all, everything; Blessingmoors,

goods? What will you

home. If that’s what you

away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he agree to all this? Just like that? All that profit down the

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. “What about

You ran to him…

chose him over

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and I'll let

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

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