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 and turns for his

the corridor. Bech follows behind. “Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I have a word

his eyes widen in

that drops him to his knees, gasping

“Keys,” I snap.

frisks him. “Not on him.” He glances

going to call her and tell her to open

“Larry…” His voice chokes. “I thought we

be why you tried to steal Mitch, eh?”

silky. “Only so many chances, Frankie. You going to do as you’re told?”

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

speak. “Mitch…” He

peep-hole, the rattle of a door

foot, pushing

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

Bech is on her, a hand at

your fucking

face whips round to mine, fury written there, the whites showing all around his eyes. Then he subsides, pushing her away with the flat

him out of my sight. I’ll deal with him

The two frog-march

hair a-fly… Her breath comes in quick bursts

back. “Don’t you dare come near me. Don’t touch

against the wall, she darts eyes this way

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

to hurt you. I would never hurt

I saw? Chained up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust drips through her voice. “You sell them to

clench. I

her food. “Is that what you

different. And… I’m different when I’m

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. To say, I’d give it

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

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

them home. If that’s what you want.

There’s a murdering bastard if I ever saw one. Will he

as he's

eyes are softening. “Come with me, Mitch. Please. You know it’s good between us. Be with

raises.

You ran to him…

him over

Some two-bit salesman...

me and I'll

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

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