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

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

eyes

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

“Keys,” I snap.

“Not on him.” He glances at me and I nod

gun, shows 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

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

must be why you tried to steal Mitch,

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

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

speak. “Mitch…” He swallows. “Mitch.

of a door chain, the rasp of a

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

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

your

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

say. “Get him out of my sight.

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

hair a-fly… Her breath comes in

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

wall, she darts eyes this way

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt you.

happens to them?” Her

abs clench. I

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

different. And…

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

really had me going. When you left, I was coming to see you. To say yes. To say, I’d give

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

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

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

murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he agree to all this? Just like that? All

do as

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

head raises.

You ran to him…

chose him

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and

you, isn't it?

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