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Chapter 84: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 18, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Klempner and Mitch
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2022-10-26 14:10:09Related chapters
Charlotte's Search Chapter 85: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 19, She's My Wife...
MICHAEL Finally, he answers his phone. "What the fuck do you think you're playing at, Ben?"He replies in tones that would cut metal. "What am I playing at? What the hell are you playing at? I suppose you met your little whore at one of these clubs, did you?""In fact, no, I didn't. But it's none of your business, Ben. And I'll thank you not to speak of my wife like that.""You're obsessed with the bitch.""I've just married her. Of course I'm fucking obsessed. If I'm not obsessed with her now, when would I be?""That's what I don't get, Mike. I could understand if you were just playing around with her. I might not like it. I know you played the field, but I'd understand it. But you married her. Why for God's sake?"Because I love her. Because she loves me.""And where does your so-called best friend fit into this?""James loves her too. And she loves him too.""Listen to yourself Mike, it's fucking bizarre. It's not right. It's not.... natural....""Who are you
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 86: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 20, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Getting To Know Her
Outside, Mitch gestures down the street. "There's a little place down the road I sometimes stop for coffee."Without giving her a chance to refuse, I take the bag of books from her. "Let me carry that for you."The 'little place', a small cafe, is mainly occupied by student types. They sit in groups, wearing bohemian clothes and cheap gothic jewellery, arguing loudly. It's not quarrelling, but debate of the kind you get from the types that think they know the secrets of the universe, or they can put the world to rights by talking about it."Interesting place," I comment, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.Her lips make that quirk again; a sort of half-smile that would make the Mona Lisa long to be more subtle with her body language.She chooses a table by the window, speaking in a low voice. Humour dances at the corners of her eyes. "It's always interesting. Some of them can be quite profound. Some of them wouldn't know their ass from their elbow. But there's always c
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 87: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 21, Kirstie and Ryan
JAMESIt's around six. Time to go....In a much calmer mood than when I last took the elevator down, I watch the indicator counting the floors down to the lobby.Wonder how she's doing?And him.Hope they enjoyed their movie....The doors whisper open and Kirstie's there on the desk. She doesn't see me.They don't see me....He has her in his arms and he's talking, not loudly, but loudly enough. "You smell as though you want to be fucked."Someone's in for a good evening....I pause, not intending to eavesdrop, but....Her head drops to his chest as she murmurs something.He barks a reply, sounding startled. "What? Have I said something wrong?"Kirstie laughs; a low chuckle that suits her very well. "Not at all. It's just that you do it to me every time. I'm all calm and collected, and then you come along, and I just want to throw my clothes out of the window and spread-eagle myself on the bed."There's a smile in his voice. "Is that right? I'm not going
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 88: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 22, Klempner's Spy
JAMESKlempner's spy...Who is it?One uncommonly nasty thought haunts me....Could it be Ben?What has Michael told him?Certainly, Ben dislikes me....And now Charlotte too....But surely, he wouldn't betray Michael???How would Ben know Klempner in the first place???What should I do?What would Michael do? How would he react?Perhaps I should talk to him?*****He doesn't react well."You're suggesting my own brother might betray Charlotte to Klempner? What the fuck are you thinking James? Just because we've had a spat....""A spat? You call that a spat?" Heat is rising over my face and I take a moment to get myself back under control. "What have you told Ben?"He holds up hands, shaking his head. "Nothing about Klempner or Blessingmoors." He moves in close. Michael isn't so tall as I am, but he is much more heavily built and I have no wish to go the way of the chicken-shed."That's private stuff isn't it," he says. "Charlotte doesn't
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 89: The Father's Betrayal, Part 1, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Christmas
"Hi, Mitch." It's Frank, his solid frame leaning back against the bar. "How're you doing?""Hi, Frank," she smiles then pulls a face. "I can't hang around I'm afraid. I only popped in to pick up a couple of things." Angelo pops up from behind the bar, holding up a carrier bag; gold and green with an expensive designer logo. "This the one?""That's right. I'll take that one with me. Can you let me see the others too." Angelo passes Mitch's collection of bags across the bar and she squats on her haunches to sort through them."Going away for Christmas?" asks Frank. "Visiting family, I suppose?""Yes and No. Yes, I'm going away, but not to visit family." She smiles brightly up at him. "Larry's taking me away somewhere.""Oh!" Hands in pockets, Frank rocks on his heels. "Larry? He didn't mention anything to me.""It all happened quite suddenly last night. He's picking me up this afternoon.""Where are you going?""No idea. He says it's a surprise."Frank rubs at a temp
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 90: The Father's Betrayal, Part 2, Twenty-Six Years Ago, The Ferry
KLEMPNER"Tired?"She yawns and stretches in her taxi seat. "Mmmm.... Yes. It's been a long day."I lay my hand on hers. "You can doze now. When we get aboard the ferry, we'll have a meal then you can sleep properly. It's an overnight trip.""What time do we sail?" Her relaxed air fades, replaced by suspicion."Around midnight. Now, sleep. Tomorrow you can enjoy the sea and we'll pull into Helsinki around sunset.""I'd not realised Stockholm and Helsinki were so far apart.""That's Scandinavia in mid-winter for you. The days are short. Sunset is only about three pm."*****"Oh my God," she breathes. "It's so beautiful." Mitch watches with that small-child-amazed look she has. "When you said it was a ferry, I expected something a lot more...."I swallow my satisfaction. "Basic? Grungy?"She blushes. "Mmmm, yes. But this is all glass and polished brass and...." She eyes me. "You've done this before.""Of course I have. You didn't think I would bring you somewhere
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 91: The Father's Betrayal, Part 3, Twenty-Six Years Ago, It's Raw
KLEMPNER – TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGOOn the way to breakfast, it occurs to me to wonder if Mitch knows what the Scandinavians like to eat.She stares at the buffet table. "It's raw," she says, recoiling."That's the local menu for you. A hundred variations on the theme of pickled herring..." Her normally perfect complexion has a green tinge. "... but there's porridge, muesli, cheese, rye bread, ham, eggs. Pick something that doesn't offend your stomach."She eyes the selection; the ubiquitous herring, salmon and more, in their mix of salt and dill and spices. "Maybe I'll try a bit of it."Hmmm..."Your call."Her mouth is working as she looks again. "Er, no. On second thoughts, maybe I'll stick with the familiar." And she heads for the porridge."Good idea, I think."*****We spend the short daylight hours touring the ship, enjoying the entertainment and enjoying the excellent onboard catering. Outside, the sea roils, dark and grey-green, ice occasionally bobbing on the
Last Updated : 2022-10-26Charlotte's Search Chapter 92: The Father's Betrayal, Part 4, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Helsinki
KLEMPNERMitch's cheeks are flushed apple-red, and her eyes are shining. "What an amazing place.""It's called Aleksanterinkatu, but this time of year they call it the Christmas Street....""I can see why." ".... The local stores have a kind of unofficial competition to outdo each other with the lights and shop displays."She sips at creamy broth, fragrant with fish and dill. "So, when you say you speak enough Finnish to get by, how much are we talking about?""Oh, don't be too impressed. Very little. The bare basics.""Do you speak many languages? You said you travel a lot....""I'm only really fluent in English, French and Portuguese. But that gets you by in most of the world. There's not too many places where you don't find someone who speaks English. Well.... American at least...."She laughs. "American?"I lean in, lowering my voice as though imparting wisdom. "Across much of the world, the locals learn English from the TV, so it's mainly from American cop pro
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
