JamesWhen the party dies down a little, while we are still gathered together, I decide to tackle the elephant in the room. "Of course, this all begs the question of why Klempner said what he did to Charlotte...."The champagne bubbles burst, and Charlotte's face turns serious. "I felt as soon as he spoke, that he had some kind of grudge against me. He said it was because of Jenkins getting killed, that he held me to blame for that. But it didn't feel right. I'm sure he was lying about that. If his grudge was actually with my mother, or my mother and father…"Beth sits, hands neatly folded as she listens. And Richard is intent as Michael interrupts her. "I should mention, Charlotte, that this isn't the only information that Will is trying to find. When these came to light, I also asked him, and he agreed, to try to have any other family connections checked. None came to light...."Richard raises a forefinger. "However," he says, "now that we know there is a family connection, a
He whistles through his teeth, a tuneless noise that serves to give him a little comfort in these uncomfortable surroundings.Officer Phil Cardelli, Rookie, is not technically alone. His partner searches along an adjacent passage, following routes marked out on a plan, laminated against the filth all around. The plan is detailed and complicated, overlaying sewers, subways and city service tunnels of all kinds. Periodically, they call each other, maintaining contact. But right now, he feels....What's the right word?Yeah.... Spooked....Never thought when I signed up that police patrol included sewers....He passes muck and debris, rat droppings and occasional skeletons. A dead cat, bloated and semi-decayed, eyes obscenely open, bobs in the water.He feels better thinking of it as water.The heavy rubber waders reach up to his waist, suspended on braces which dig into his shoulders. The work is dark, stinking and deeply unpleasant.The place, frankly, gives him the c
There is a knock at the door and Jenny turns from stirring the soup she is making. But without waiting for a reply, the door bursts open and Mrs Bennett strides into the kitchen, her face red."Why is my son sleeping on the couch?" she demands.Jenny colours up."And how long has this being going on?" continues the furious woman. "It's been months since the wedding. I was worried about you. There I was wondering if perhaps we should have the doctor look at you, and I come in early to find Chad sleeping downstairs.""I...." Jenny's eyes are swimming.But Mrs Bennett keeps talking. "And when I took a look around...." She slams open a side drawer which contains underclothes, a washbag and a towel. ".... All his things are down here. He is quite clearly not sleeping upstairs. What is it with you, Jennifer?" The woman stalks forward. "Still got all those ideas about university and books? Can't you bring yourself to be a proper wife to my son? I'm not having it!"She raises her h
There is a knock at the door."Come in."The door opens, a face edging nervously around. "Mr Kalkowski, can I talk with you for a few minutes?"The old man puts his book to one side. "Of course you can, Jenny. Do come in. It's good to see you. Please forgive me not getting up. It is not so easy for me as it once was.""That's alright. Um, would you like me to make some tea?""Thank you. I would. And if you look in the larder, you will find a cake that Mrs Collier kindly gave me."Jenny makes tea, pouring it from a porcelain pot into fine china cups and saucers. She cuts two slices of cake and passes one across.""Thank you, Jenny. Now, what can I do for you? I've missed our little chats since you left school you know."She sips tea, but the cup clinks against the tremble of the saucer. Mr Kalkowski waits, patience itself. He has heard the gossip. In fact, her old teacher has a very good idea of what she wants to say."Mr Kalkowski...." She puts the cup and saucer dow
Mr KalkowskiHe aims the pipe at her, punctuating his words with the movement. "Jenny, your life is ahead of you. You say you believe you should leave. I believe you are correct."She holds up her hands, palms to heaven. "What should I do? I don't know...."The old man puffs a curling ring of smoke. It spins, a writhing vortex in the air, then disperses. "The Greek philosopher Plutarch said that the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. Here, Jenny, you have learned. You have been taught. But when you are truly educated, you learn to think.""You still think I should go to university?""It is what I have always believed Jenny. It was not my place to interfere when you decided to marry Chad, but now...."Thoughtful, she pours another cup of tea, tilts the pot to her mentor. He nods, and she pours a second cup."How would I do it?""I retained all the forms and other information from when you were first going to apply. You have only to use them.""
JamesShe sees as Michael and I exchange eye signals, but she's used to that now, and simply stands, panting as we undress. As soon as he's down to skin, Michael, his erection pressing into her spine pulls her backward onto the couch, pinning her against himself........ And she's a gorgeous sight....I want to watch her for a bit.Dropping to my knees I push her knees apart, Michael hooks his legs around hers, holding her wide. As her thighs splay, the scent of her pussy, sopping and swollen, billows up. I lean in, my palm flat between her breasts, pushing her hard back against him, then ram hard inside her with a couple of fingers, hooking upwards to scrape her g-spot.She bucks and wails, arms flinging, but Michael snatches her wrists together, pinning her firm. I don't hold back, don't make any attempt to open her. Her pussy is engorged, open and brilliantly red. As I pump her, her juices flood my fingers and palm, sleeking over her skin and mine, and she wails with an
"Chad, can I talk to you."His eyes lift to hers. "Hello, Jenny. What is it?""I wanted to tell you, I'm leaving.""I ... kind of expected it." His words come out all in a rush. "Jenny, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault....""When I first came here I thought I was in heaven. It's different now." "You'll want the divorce of course.""Yes, I do. I want to be free. I want my life back.""Just send the papers. I'll sign whatever you need.... You can tell the lawyer to send the bill to me as well. I'll pay it." He bites down on guilt and shame, tries to focus. "What will you do?""I'm not sure. I'll probably go to the City. Find work. Take it from there.""When are you going?""Tomorrow. I just want to leave quietly. You won't tell anyone will you? Not yet anyway.""No, not if you don't want me to. I won't tell anyone."*****The following morning, she rises early, everything already packed. She thinks to leave alone but as she slings the rucksack over her shoulder
And once more, helpless, we must wait for outside events to catch up.Richard, when we see him, is white-faced. Most of the time he keeps to himself.Not wanting company…?Michael chews at a thumbnail. "Wonder why Corby's first act was to try to attack you? Trying to get you prosecuted over the business with the auction?""Perhaps to take Charlotte's defender out of the picture?" I suggest.His chin juts. "She has two defenders, and they knew that...."Ah, c'mon.... "They came after you with guns." His face falls and he nods me an apology. "Discredit one?" I suggest. "Murder the other. Isolate her?"He nods "Why is she so important to them?"Good question....A very good question...."Her testimony at court is likely to put a lot of people in prison, quite likely for good.""Okay, so she's an important witness. But, that being the case, why haven't they simply murdered her? They've had plenty of opportunity." Richard sweeps in. "Will's on his way. He says he