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Chapter 179: Her Mother's Love, Part 21, Emergency
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2022-10-26 14:10:09Related chapters
Charlotte's Search Chapter 180: Her Mother's Love, Part 22, Who To Trust?
I'm walking as I talk. Heading along the hall. First stop, the alarm system.I slam the panic button installed during the renovation. After Michael and Charlotte's last flight through the snow two Christmases ago, we built this house as a fortress.Everything on automatic, the house goes into lock-down. Motors whirr as metal shutters glide over windows. High-security bolts slam across doors, the sound echoing along the hall. I keep moving, heading for the basement.Mobile still pressed to my ear, "You think it's Charlotte he wants?" I say. "Or Mitch?""If Klempner had Charlotte, Mitch would follow. If she had the balls to go after Conners to rescue him, d'you think she'd hesitate with her own daughter? And yes, I think it's Mitch he's after. You think the timing's a coincidence? Charlotte has just found her mother and suddenly Klempner waltzes out of custody?""No, I don't..." My mind spins, whirling at speed... "... but it also suggests that he's stayed in jail because it su
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 181: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 1, Ambush
JAMESI lift the latch of the door to the walkers' shelter, push and step inside...... something presses to my temple. "Don't move.""What?" I start to turn, but the something; cold, metallic, nudges at me. "I said, don't move.""Who the fuck are...?" But my words are cut short. Abruptly, the shelter is flooded with light. It shoots through my eyes, blinding me."Is that any way to speak to your father-in-law?" The voice is oh-too-familiar, and as my vision clears, I see the figure sitting on a bench; hands clasped behind his head, ankle crossed over knee. "Good to see you, James," says Klempner. "Do sit down." Then snapping his fingers to the figure beside me. "His phone."Gun-muzzle to my head, I freeze, my hands semi-raised as the gunman's hand works through my trouser pockets, first one, then the other, then slides down the zipper of my jacket to reach inside before tossing my mobile to Klempner.My heart, which had calmed to a sensible pace during my 'escape' thr
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 182: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 2, Race Against Time
MICHAELI'm driving like an idiot, racing to reach Charlotte, Mitch and Kirstie.Why's Charlotte not answering her phone?And I'm hoping that the answer is the happy one; that she's simply distracted, talking; enjoying herself and not paying attention. Or that she has the ringer turned off. Or...My head swirls...James said Francesca's tea rooms...Already, it's nearly dark.What time do they stay open until?Friday. Late night. Probably until 9pm.My mobile screen flashes, the vibe making the dashboard rattle as the phone dances over the vinyl. It's Ben.On loudspeaker, "Ben? Where are you?""Almost there. Just letting you know, I'm pulling into the car park now, so we might lose the signal. I'll be in touch as soon as I know anything."And I return to champing and cursing at the traffic holding me trapped.James...I check my phone. No call. No message.I check my watch. He's had plenty of time to reach the shelter.Should I call him?Is he hurt?
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 183: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 3, The Search
MICHAELThe blindingly bloody obvious finally hits me between the eyes.Fuck!I bang the dashboard with a fist.Stupid. Stupid.I'm trying to drive through the City one-way system in traffic. If I go on foot...Think with your brain. Not panic and adrenalin...Spinning the steering wheel, I squeal across two lanes and a junction, cut in front of a taxi driver, then park up, two wheels on the kerb.Ignoring the screeched curses from the cabbie behind me, giving only passing thought that the car is likely to be towed, I set off at a run, abandoning car, bug and all.*****Hot, lungs heaving, heart pumping and dripping with sweat, I burst through the doors of Francesca's department store.The tearooms are on the top floor. Middle-class ladies with crimped hair and primped clothes look at me askance as I head for the elevator. One prize example makes a show of wafting the air by her face as at the last moment, I take the escalator instead, so I can scan the shop floor
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 184: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 4, Race Against Time
JAMESMy phone rings. Richard's avatar flashes up. Klempner glances at it then passes it to me. "Answer it. Put it on loudspeaker."I talk quickly. "Richard, before you say anything, Klempner's here."There's a silence, then. "James, are you being held hostage? Has he...?""I'm not hurt if that's what you're asking, but no, I'm not exactly on top of the situation. He's listening to what we say." I cast a glance to Klempner, but he simply raises brows, folding his arms and sitting back."Have you spoken to Charlotte?" I ask.Richard pauses. "No, I've not spoken to her. I got hold of Michael, some while ago, but I couldn't get through to her. She wasn't answering her phone."So, who...?"Someone's warned her. Or so it seems. She's vanished, along with her mother and Kirstie. Is Beth okay?"Another short silence. "Yes, Elizabeth is safely out of the way."Klempner snorts, then speaking loudly, "I'm not interested in your cringing wife, Haswell."Richard's voice is au
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 185: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 5, Who?
JAMESKlempner scowls, his head jerking back. "How do you mean?""If he knows you value the women, could one of your men have taken them? Perhaps to ransom them to you?"Klempner stiffens. "If he has, he'll wish he'd traded places with Hartwell."He snatches up his own phone then, jabbing a finger at mine, "Keep him on the line. Keep him listening." He taps into his own mobile. "Marco? Where are you? And where's Guttman? What's going on down there?"A voice rises above a background sound of traffic. "I'm on the corner of Port Square, sir. It gives me a view of both the taxi rank and the entrance to the bus station. Guttman's working the restaurants. I think he's along Main Street somewhere."Klempner pokes at his screen, scissors something open and zooms in. He peers close, then repeats it. "That's fine, Marco. The women haven't been found yet, so stay alert." He disconnects. "Marco's exactly where he said he was and so's Guttman... And that description doesn't fit eithe
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 186: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 6, Disbelief
Michael doesn't react well. "James are you kidding me? You want Klempner to have both of us prisoner?""I'm not a prisoner. And he's as interested in finding the women as we are. Where are you?"He yells over the line. "Fuck you, Klempner. If you think I'm playing along with this charade, you're crazy. You've got a gun at his head or something for him to be talking like this."And the line cuts.I slam my mobile down. "Fuck!"Klempner's voice remains bland, his eyes fixed on the road as he drives. "Any suggestions?"But before I can reply, my phone goes into overdrive, flashing and vibrating, crawling over the dash.Klempner looks askance. "That supposed to be the latest ring-tone?""No." I snatch up the phone, peering in at the display. "That's Kirstie raising the alarm. And if I'm getting this, then so's everyone else."Klempner looks alarmed. "Who's 'everyone else'?"Do I tell him?The truth but not the whole truth..."Haswell, Michael, Ryan...""Who's Ryan
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 187: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 7, Traitor
CHARLOTTEIt was such a great day. I don't normally enjoy shopping, but with my mother and Kirstie for company it was completely different.Bookshops. My mother loves books; not the same ones as me, but books about places, adventures, exotic locations. It was such fun...And Kirstie, with her smart mouth and shameless innuendo at every little thing....In the tearoom: crisp white linen, silver tongs to lift jam-and-cream scones and tiny cakes from a three-layer stand, porcelain cups and saucers...Then, Ben's sudden appearance, striding across the floor to us, brushing past waitresses and customers. Stooping close to me to deliver his hastily muttered message... "Charlotte, Mike called me. You've got trouble. That man, Klempner. He's escaped from prison. He's out..."My mother: her whimper of fear...Kirstie: her eyes widening..."I've got the car downstairs in the parking lot. It's right by the door at the bottom of the stairs." Ben wears a helpless expression. "Cha
Last Updated : 2022-10-26
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Charlotte's Search Chapter 203: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 23, Richard's Gift
A sound... Charlotte clearing her throat. "Ummm...""Yes, Charlotte." Richard swings around. "I believe that makes it your turn. James... Together or separately?""You're the guest, Richard. You choose.""In that case, I think together. Heads or tails?""Oh, tails I think, if that suits you?""Absolutely."As I withdraw from Beth, tucking away my subsiding erection, I help her upright.Richard and James both stand, side by side, towering over Charlotte. I back away from the action, giving them space, but take Beth with me, pulling her down onto my lap as I sit, nuzzling into her neck. "Thank you. You have no idea how much..."She twists back, kisses me on the mouth. "I think I did know."James and Richard are both stripping off jackets, ties and shirts, kicking off shoes. "I think Charlotte's about to get it big time," she murmurs."I'd say so, yes."James drops to his knees, settles between her thighs.Richard unzips, releases himself, then stroking his erectio
Charlotte's Search Chapter 202: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 22, Kink
MICHAELheading south, I tug at the ties of the thong, pulling away about a square inch of satin as the flimsy thing falls away.Richard sucks in air. "So, James, where would you like me to start?""I'm sure you don't need instructions from me..." James drops eyes to Beth's smooth pubis. "... An old hand like you." His gaze shifts to Charlotte... "But I think we'll adjust the furniture a little." Rising, he takes a stand-mirror from the corner of the bedroom, moves it to the side of the bed, adjusts the angle, then stands back to gauge the results. He adjusts it a little, measures it by eye again and then nods. Charlotte has an excellent view of her own sex."Would you like her opened a little further, Richard? I imagine you'll want to reach everything easily.""Excellent idea, James. The knees wider I think, and we'll lift her hips."It's a game they play, the pair of them, torturing her with anticipation, but Charlotte's eyes tell a tale. The two Doms work as a team, J
Charlotte's Search Chapter 201: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 21, Michael
MICHAELI sit, staring at nothing, thinking about...... Nothing...Maybe I should get something to eat?My gut's griping. I've not eaten all day. Sally brought me one of her usual offerings for lunch; a plate-sized bacon and egg sandwich and a can of beer, but the smell turned my stomach.Scruffy ate well though along with Kirstie's tribe, running wild around the gardens in hairy, waggy, excitable enthusiasm.The pint-sized rag-tag lies by my feet. Occasionally he looks up at me, whining. I scratch his ear and he settles again.There's no sign of James and Charlotte other than James' tablet on his armchair and a book, marker inserted, on Charlotte's favourite spot on the settee. With no real interest, I look at the cover. 'A Song of Ice and Fire - A Dance with Dragons.'The scent of something is drifting in, James' cooking I assume. A part of me says it smells rich and savoury, winey and herby, but my gut recoils.Just a coffee maybe...I head for the kitchen, but
Charlotte's Search Chapter 200: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 20, Sandwich
MICHAELI don't much feel like breakfast, but for the sake of form, I join Mitch, James and Charlotte in the kitchen, downing a coffee, then pouring another.James is on his usual 'toast and coffee only' breakfast. Mitch works her way through yoghurt and muesli, eating tidily and sipping at a cup of peppermint tea.Charlotte's standing on tiptoe, rummaging at the top shelf of the store cupboard. James stands, walks across. "What are you looking for?""Pickled onions.""You don't like pickled onions.""I felt like one sliced up on my sandwich."I've already seen the other items laid out on the worktop for Charlotte's 'sandwich', along with the expression flitting across James' face as he saw them too.Hmmm...But he snakes up a long arm to the top shelf and takes down a jar.In some fascination we sit, watching Charlotte assemble a peanut butter, avocado and pickled onion sandwich, on crusty bread cut thick enough to use as a draught excluder. In a final flourish, sh
Charlotte's Search Chapter 199: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 19, Redemption
JAMESIt's a nice area. A pretty area. And it's a day for seeing it at its best.Yachts and pleasure boats float in bobbing ranks on sparkling water. Tourists walk by with ice creams, tossing coins to cross-legged artists sitting by pavement chalkings. Shops sell souvenirs, art and holiday wear.The apartment block is clean and well-maintained. The hallway as we approach the door smells of new carpet and fresh paint.Mitch stands outside the door, seeming to gather herself together, then taking a breath, she inserts the key, turns it, opens the door and we step inside.It's... lovely...Sunlight dances over walls painted in soft neutral colours. They complement the furnishings, made from some pale golden timber, perhaps beech."Can't fault his taste," comments Michael.Paintings dot the walls, abstract mainly, except for a single striking piece taking the centre of one wall; an image of ice and broken water in astonishing rainbow hues."Amazing painting," I say, looki
Charlotte's Search Chapter 198: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 18, The Package
RICHARDJames steps out of the elevator looking...What?Harassed?Worried?"James?"He looks to me then jerks his head towards his office. I follow him in. Silently, he offers me a small, padded envelope, still sealed. "This was waiting for me down in the lobby. Special delivery.""A packet?""Look at the addressee."I look, extract spectacles from my top pocket and look again.And the hair rises on the back of my neck.Michelle Kimberley, c/o James Alexanders."Klempner?""Who else could it be? Conners wouldn't know where to find her. Michelle's brothers would probably send it to her direct. So, who else?""James, before anyone opens that envelope, could it be a letter-bomb?"He blows out air, rubs his forehead. "I wouldn't have thought that was Klempner's style... If he wanted her, he come after her himself..." He paces the room. "And why would he send it through me?""You parted... amicably... from Klempner? After the shooting?"He huffs. "I'm not
Charlotte's Search Chapter 197: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 17, Remembrance
MICHAELJames interrupts my gardening. "You seen Charlotte?""She said she was going for a walk." I nod along the road. "She went that-a-way." I straighten up, pressing hands into my lower spine. "Actually, now I think about it, her tone was a bit odd.""You look as if you've done enough for a while. Want to take a break and stretch your legs?""Good idea. I'll just tell Chad we're going out."I find him inside, paint bucket in hand, slapping emulsion on a bedroom wall. "James and I are just going for a walk. I don't think we'll be long."He cocks an eye at me, his expression assessing. "You might like to know that Mr Kalkowski is buried nearby, in the churchyard.""He is? I thought...""He had no traceable family, so he stayed here. Some of the holier-than-thou churchy types tried to kick up a fuss about it, but Mrs Collier kicked up a bigger fuss and they found a space for him.""Gotcha."He moves to the window and points a long finger along the road; the same dir
Charlotte's Search Chapter 196: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 16, Charlie
MICHAELThe lawns might have been mown, but the shrubs and borders are heading for the sky. A quick exploration of a small back shed produces saw and secateurs, so I set to, getting the garden back under control."Hello."I turn to see a woman, standing by the garden gate. Wearing jeans and a shirt, her hair tied tightly back in a ponytail, she has a prim, pleasant face. "Hello, I'm Eleanor Collier. I've been keeping an eye on the house. I saw something was happening...?" I stand, wiping muck and sap off my hands and onto my pants, then stride forward to offer my hand. "Michael Summerford." My brain connects the dots. "Collier, was it? Charlo... Jennifer's foster mother?"Her face lights up. "That's right. You know Jenny? She's here?""I'm her husband. And yes, she's here." I yell towards the upstairs window. "Charlotte! Friend of yours here." I gesture to the gate. "You'd better come in."From above, a movement at the window, then a clatter down the stairs and Charlotte
Charlotte's Search Chapter 195: Her Enemy's Promise, Part 15, The Legacy
JAMESMichael...He's depressed...What can I do?Change of scene maybe?*****"Charlotte, I was thinking, we're about due for your road-trip."She pauses, half a sausage impaled on a fork midway to her mouth. "Road-trip, Master? What road-trip?""Have you forgotten that you were bequeathed a house? And everything in it. Perhaps it is time to make good your claim?"The half-a-sausage drops back to her plate. "Go back to the farm you mean? The last time I was there, they... they weren't very welcoming."Michael is listening, chewing on toast and marmalade, suddenly looking more animated than he has for days.Thank God..."Things have changed since then, haven't they," he says. "You've spoken with your friend Tom. He knows the truth of what happened. And of course, there's Chad."Still she stares at the sausage and the fried egg congealing by it. "I'm not sure..."I pour myself more coffee. "Even if all you decide to do is sell the house, you'll need to visit
