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.”

away from the elevator to

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

eyes widen in

the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping and coughing. Then he

“Keys,” I snap.

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

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

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

did I. That must be why you

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

in front of the door. Bech, Malory and I stand to one side. Conners looks to me again, sweating. I raise brows and eye-point him back to the

starts to speak. “Mitch…” He swallows.

rattle of a door chain, the rasp of a

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

As I follow in behind, Bech is on

roar. “Get your fucking hands off

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

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

Malory. The two frog-march Conners, squealing all the way, to the door and

a-fly… Her breath comes in quick

“Don’t

she darts

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

hurt you. I

saw? Chained up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust drips through

abs clench. I

in her food. “Is that

with you. You’re different. And… I’m

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

fooled, Larry. You really had me going. When you left, I was coming to see you. To

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

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

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

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

as

eyes are softening. “Come with me, Mitch. Please. You know it’s good between us. Be

head raises. “What

You ran to him…

chose him

Some two-bit salesman...

me and I'll

how it works with you, isn't it? Coercion. Force. You

step forward. She doesn’t back away. Carefully, I reach, holding her at the shoulders. I drop my forehead to hers. “I