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.”

stairwell, watching through the glass panel. Bech stands away from the elevator to be behind Conners as he exits and turns for

the doors open and Conners steps out, heading for the corridor. Bech follows behind. “Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I have a word please.” He flashes a badge, and for just a moment, Conners only sees the

eyes widen in

in the gut that drops him to his

“Keys,” I snap.

“Not on him.” He

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 short-cut to the

“Larry…” His voice

I. That must be why you tried to steal Mitch, eh?”

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

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

“Mitch…” He

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

Bech jams in a foot, pushing hard and from beyond,

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

Conners ahead of them. As I follow in behind, Bech is on her,

your fucking hands

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

him out of my sight.

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

Her breath comes in quick

She skitters back. “Don’t you dare come

against the wall, she darts eyes this way

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

not going to hurt you. I would never hurt

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

abs clench. I don’t

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

would never… Mitch it’s different with you. You’re different. And… I’m different when I’m with

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

to see you. To say yes. To say, I’d give it

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

goods? What will you do? Let them go? Send

If that’s

Frank away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering

do as he's

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

head raises. “What

You ran to him…

him

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and I'll let Frank

it works with you, isn't it? Coercion. Force. You have no concept of

the shoulders. I drop my forehead to hers. “I just want you to choose me. Choose to be with