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.”

panel. Bech stands away from the elevator

bings, 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

his eyes widen

to react. Bech cuts off his words with a punch in the gut that

“Keys,” I snap.

into one pocket, then another. Then frisks him. “Not on him.” He

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,

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

must be why you tried to

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

side. Conners looks to me again, sweating. I raise brows and eye-point him back to

He swallows. “Mitch. It’s

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

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

them. As I follow in behind, Bech is on her, a hand at her throat, the gun coming

roar. “Get your

round to mine, fury written there, the whites showing all around his eyes. Then

out of my

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

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

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

against the wall, she darts eyes

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 lip curls. Disgust

clench. I

her food. “Is that what you would have done with me

You’re different. And… I’m different when I’m with

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

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

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

changing. You've changed me. I'll

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

set them free. Send them home. If that’s

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? All

do as he's

with me, Mitch.

raises. “What

You ran to him…

him over

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and

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

the shoulders. I drop my forehead to hers. “I just want you to