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 he exits

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 badge and the

eyes

his words with a punch in the gut that

“Keys,” I snap.

reaches into one pocket, then another. Then frisks him. “Not on him.” He glances at me

“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 short-cut

His voice chokes. “I thought we

must be why you tried to

low and silky. “Only so many chances, Frankie. You going to do as

side. Conners looks to me again,

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

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.

Bech is on her, a hand at her throat, the

your fucking

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

him out of

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

breath comes

skitters back. “Don’t

the wall, she darts eyes this

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

going to hurt you. I would

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

clench. I don’t

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

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

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

I was coming to see

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

will you do? Let them go? Send them home, wherever they

I’ll set them free. Send them home. If that’s what you want. If you’ll

your man there, that took Frank away... Bech was it? There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he agree to

do as

with me, Mitch. Please. You know it’s good

raises. “What about

You ran to him…

chose him

Some two-bit salesman...

and I'll let

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

my forehead to hers. “I just want you to choose me. Choose to be