Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Mitch

She descends the stairs as if the devil is behind her…

He is…

She risks a look up; the briefest of glances. She can’t see him, but the clang of pursuit echoes above her.

And she runs…

Down two stories, three. Almost to ground level… and there… As she hits tarmac… a door close by… An emergency exit swings open, a body erupting out of it…

Frank.

He canons into her, grabbing her by the waist, swinging her around.

“Mitch…”

“Don’t stop.” She jerks a head up to where Klempner rattles down the steps after her. “Where’s your car?”

“Basement, but the keys…”

“Got them. Move.”

The pair swerve, u-turning back into the stairwell, barrelling downwards. From above, the sound of a slamming door; echoing boots on concrete

They burst into the parking lot.

“Where?” She peers into the low dark space.

“There.” He points, still running, snatching at her wrist, towing her along. From behind another crash from a swinging door. From off-side, Bech appears with Malory, both with guns in their hands.

The pair dash from one grey concrete pillar to another; stooping, running at a crouch, dodging between corridors of vehicles; vans, station wagons, saloons… Then, a sports car; shiny, bright red and low…

A crack behind her. A whistle…

Mitch shrieks and drops as the bullet skids over the door of the two-seater, taking paintwork with it…

Klempner’s voice, reverberating through the low space. “Put the fucking gun down. Hurt her and I’ll gut you.”

… but she keeps moving…

Frank is ahead of her. For a moment he skids, foot sliding over a patch of oil. Slipping, he falls but catches himself on the handle of the nearest door, then, “There… Keys!”

She tosses them across and twisting, he catches them one-handedly, pointing ahead to his own 4x4. Lights flash orange, beeping and the crunch of disengaging locks resound through the low-ceilinged space.

She tumbles into the passenger seat.

“Stay down.” Frank engages and with the screech of tortured rubber, the car careens down the ranks of vehicles.

but Klempner cuts across, sprinting for the exit. Silhouetted against the daylight he stands, legs akimbo,

aisle, up the ramp, adding to the black-burned stripes on the pitted concrete. Slamming his fist onto the horn, it shrieks defiance as the car rockets to the exit. At the last moment, Klempner hurls himself to one side as they

he runs after them, squinting into the sunshine but already the traffic has closed

wheezing behind. “We can’t let them go. I’ll

with a foot, planting his boot in Bech’s ribs. “Use a gun near her

Bech hisses through his teeth, winded;

more than my boot in your guts. Now

*****

Charlotte

it’s Kirstie. I’m trying to find Charlotte. Is she up

I interrupt her. “Yes, I’m

you. A Mr Maurio Vincenzo. He says he’s from

Master cocks a

lawyers who

on earth could they

he say what it’s about,

to speak with you. Should I

“Yes, of course.”

have anything outstanding

don’t see how I could. And if there was anything, I’m sure Chad would have

his cheeks. “Would you like me to sit in

to sit

like to, yes, of

doors Ssshhhh… open and a man wearing a dark grey suit and a professional manner steps out.

“That’s right.”

dealt with my father when he

a bit baffled though. Surely everything to do with my divorce

holds up a hand. “This isn’t to do with your divorce, but another matter entirely. Although it was your estranged husband who informed us where we could find you.

Charlotte. The conference room

us in, to the sidelong glance

“It’s fine,” I say.

I have not met before and I must establish your identity. I understand you are currently known as ‘Charlotte Summerford’, but my father dealt with one ‘Jennifer Conners’. I have only Mr Bennett’s word that

“That’s right.”

can

I need to. But why should I

could you please give me your signature as Jennifer

lawyer compares it with some paper from his case, then looks up again, smiling, holding up the paper. “Your original petition for divorce,” he comments. “And that’s fine, Mrs Summerford. Now…” He takes out another document. “As to why I am here.

“Right… So?”

the document, punctuating his words with it. “So, I hold here the will deposited with my firm

clutches and my

his spectacles at me…” Your old school-teacher I

throat tightens. “Yes,