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 to be behind Conners as he

Bech follows behind. “Mr Conners? Frank Conners? Could I have a word please.” He flashes a badge, and for just a moment, Conners only

eyes widen

has no time to react. Bech cuts off his words with a punch in the gut that drops him to his knees, gasping and coughing. Then he and Malory haul him

“Keys,” I snap.

him. “Not on him.” He glances at me and I nod

door. You’re going to call her and tell her to open the door. All very normal.

His voice

That must be why you

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

I stand to one side. Conners looks to

“Mitch…” He swallows. “Mitch.

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

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

Mitch…

Scared…

My guts drops.

behind, Bech

“Get your

his eyes. Then he subsides, pushing her

“Get him out

Malory. The two frog-march Conners, squealing all

breath comes in quick bursts and her pupils are

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

wall, she darts eyes this

Looking for a weapon?

An escape?

to hurt you.

up. What happens to them?” Her lip curls. Disgust drips through her voice. “You sell them to the highest bidder? Is

clench. I

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

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

Believe me…

Please… Believe me…

coming to

Disappointment claws at me…

So close…

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

your women? Your goods? What will you do? Let them go? Send them home, wherever they came

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

“And your man there, that 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 that profit down the

do as

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

head raises.

You ran to him…

him over

Some two-bit salesman...

with me and I'll let

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

Carefully, I reach, holding her at the shoulders. I drop my forehead to hers. “I