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.”

stands away from

Conners? Could I have a word please.” He flashes a badge, and

eyes

his words with a punch in the gut that drops him

“Keys,” I snap.

another. Then frisks him. “Not on him.” He glances at

produces his 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 upset her before the door opens, you’ll be taking the high-speed

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

be why you tried to steal

as you’re told?” He pushes him away and along

stand to one side. Conners looks to me again,

taps, starts to speak. “Mitch…” He swallows.

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

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

I follow in behind, Bech is

roar. “Get your

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

him out of my sight. I’ll deal with

frog-march Conners, squealing all the way,

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

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

darts eyes this way and

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt you. I

up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust

clench. I

though she’d found a maggot in her food. “Is that what you would have done with

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

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

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

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

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

If that’s

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

do as

quite so frantic. Her eyes are softening. “Come with me,

raises. “What

You ran to him…

him over

Some two-bit salesman...

and I'll

across 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 choose me. Choose to be with me. Please,