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.”

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

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

his eyes

gut that drops him to his knees, gasping

“Keys,” I snap.

“Not on him.” He glances

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

“Larry…” His voice chokes. “I thought

why you

as you’re told?” He pushes

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

taps, starts to speak. “Mitch…” He

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

jams in a foot, pushing hard

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

pushing Conners ahead of them. As I follow in behind, Bech

roar. “Get your

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

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

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

heaving, hair a-fly… Her breath comes in quick bursts and

back. “Don’t you dare come near me.

wall, she darts eyes this

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

to hurt you.

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

abs clench. I

in her food. “Is that what you

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

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

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

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

goods? What will you do? Let them

If that’s what

a murdering bastard if I ever

do as he's

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

head raises. “What about

You ran to him…

him

Some two-bit salesman...

and I'll let

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

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