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Chapter 105: Prey, Part 7
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Master's Child Chapter 106: Prey, Part 8
KlempnerI open sticky eyes to a close-up of Mitch's face. My head vibrates to her gentle slapping of my cheek. "Larry, wake up. I've run you a hot bath and there's breakfast coming.""Yes?" I pull myself into a sitting position rubbing at the stiffness in my neck. My mouth is gummy. Something is stinging my face and as I move, my ribs jab a reminder that they require gentle treatment for a few days."Yes," she says, putting a steaming mug into my hand. "Coffee. It's that same mix James drinks. Get yourself awake. The commissioner has said you can go with him to talk to Mickey Miller in the hospital.""What!" I bolt up on to my feet and then groan inwardly as pelvis, thigh, knee and calf join forces all along one side with my ribs to prompt me against incautious movements."I hold out the mug. "Top that up would you, Mitch."*****Never did I ever think to enter a public place side-by-side with the City Commissioner of Police.A couple of uniforms standing guard by the
The Master's Child Chapter 107: Prey, Part 9
MichaelKlempner is pale faced, his cheek still swollen, and there's a weary edge to his movement, but he and Stanton stride in together as though they are two halves of a working team."You're back then?" says Klempner as he spots James. "What's the news on your daughter?"James is grim, passes across a sheet of paper. "Just this."Klempner reads the photocopied note; inclines his head, clicks his tongue. "What was her mother's involvement?""Baxter seduced the stupid bitch some months ago, then used her to move in on Georgie."Klempner re-reads the note. "Comparing this with the messages from when Jenny was abducted, it has Baxter's stamp all over it. Phrased to be vindictive." He raises eyes. "And to knock you off balance. To stop you thinking straight."James nods, looking sick at heart. Klempner regards him for a moment, lids half-lowered, then turns back to Stanton, busy checking his mobile. "So, do we have any reported sightings of Baxter yet? Or of Stannis?""Ye
The Master's Child Chapter 108: Prey, Part 10
Our answer comes back within minutes. Again, Will projects photos and video to the TV.The first footage I recognise: the Departures foyer; Baxter and his companion just as they're escaping us... the pair sprinting for the turnstiles as Klempner and James come pounding in from one direction, me from the other...... Klempner almost, but not quite on top of them, his hand outstretched for Baxter... then snatching at empty air as the bastard slips through the turnstile, smirking a goodbye. Even on the long shot, the fury on Klempner's face is visible.Then, a brief, heated discussion, as I dissuade him from trying to vault the gate and get himself arrested. Followed by our dispirited exit, James, Klempner and myself filing out to make our way back home.Will, arms folded, legs astride, watches all this in silence.The shot segues to more CCTV: Baxter and the woman: the happy couple loitering by a coffee bar, laughing and joking, airport gates stretching in a long file as far a
The Master's Child Chapter 109: Prey, Part 11
MichaelThe street hums with activity. This used to be part of the old docks. Once ramshackle and unloved, it is buzzing again. A one-time customs house is being refitted to a block of eight townhouses overlooking the waters. Crumbling quays and moorings have been rebuilt and a marina is growing up around them. Even an old rope factory, surely the longest building in the City has been renovated and repurposed, James incorporating it into a new library and arts centre.Our target address lies at the far end of the docks: apartment blocks, brand new buildings that have risen from the ruins of the old city; stores and shopping malls on the ground floor, accommodation on the floors above.Shoe shops and budget clothes vie with DIY stores, white goods, liquor, antiques and jewellery. Harried-looking parents herd teenagers towards pizza parlours and burger bars. Overalled workmen nurse beers and hot-dogs. Be-suited men and women sit at tables over coffee, croissants and sandwiches. You
The Master's Child Chapter 110: Prey, Part 12
Klempner"That her?" I yell.But the question answers itself as I look to James and see the sick fury written on his face. But only for a split second...... He charges at Stannis, roaring his fury.Stannis roars back, meeting him. "You bastard! Look what your little ginger bitch did to me."Michael lunges for the stranger, then pulls up short as Baxter raises a gun. "Stop right there!"The stranger backs towards the window and Baxter moves with him. The pistol trembling in his hand, the muzzle swings between me and Michael, but mine is aimed squarely at him.The female... She spins, simply dropping her wineglass to shatter on the bare floorboards as she snatches something up from the tabletop: large, face-covering sunglasses: jamming them on her face. Turning towards us... towards me... there is a suggestion of the whites of eyes behind the lenses. Her 'hair' is a short chestnut bob. And as James lunges at Stannis, she grins manically, a feral expression, emphasise
The Master's Child Chapter 111: Prey, Part 13
KlempnerI clamber out, Michael in front of me, onto the landing of the fire escape, then realise the clattering of metallic footsteps comes from both above and below.Michael spins. "Fuck, they've split."Who's most dangerous?I gesture down. "I'll take Baxter. You go for the woman and the gorilla." But Michael is already moving, belting up the first flight.I clatter downward, following the descending figure I see a couple of levels below me. Baxter has a good lead on me, but as he runs he shoots a look up through the galvanised mesh of the steps, his face twisted with what I'm hoping is worry.At street level, the crowds are milling and shoving, all the happy shoppers going about their happy little businesses. If Baxter makes it into the crowd, I may well lose him... again...Saving the cursing for inside my head, saving my breath for an extra burst of speed, I pelt downward. Below me, Baxter has almost made it to ground level.*****MichaelKlempner might have d
The Master's Child Chapter 112: Prey, Part 14
MichaelAndres is a sizable figure, hulking and well-muscled, with the easy movement that suggests he knows how to use the muscle.I make another move to reach the woman, but he blocks me, fists raised, knuckling white."Come on," I say. "You can't get away. I don't have to catch you. Just to stop you going anywhere until the cops turn up."His eyes dart to the woman, "Julia?""Get him, you idiot!" she hisses. "D'you want to still be here when the police arrive?"He nods, sniffs and straightens up. "I'll handle this one. You get away." Then he squares up to me again. "You heard the lady."In the background, behind the sunglasses, Julia smiles. Arms folded, she stands, watching, one foot tapping...Then... as Andres makes a move... jabbing forward with a fist... she darts off to one side... Ignoring him, I lunge after her, arms outstretched for a grab, but she's quick on her feet and I only have a handful of empty air for my trouble. Andres comes up from behind, seizi
The Master's Child Chapter 113: Prey, Part 15
KlempnerStanton listens in while a uniform takes Michael's statement.He looks ill, his face pale and shiny, pupils like pinpricks. "She pushed him. He was protecting her, trying to cover her and keep me off while she got away. You could see, he wasn't just some muscle doing his job. He felt something for her. And she simply pushed him. Tipped him over the edge."Michael's voice wavers. His hands are trembling. "As he went over, he managed to catch at the edge. He was hanging on, screaming at me for help. I tried to pull him up, but I couldn't hold on. His hand slipped out of mine and he..." His voice catches... "Oh, God... He fell. He seemed to fall forever... When I turned, she'd gone."*****He's a good man is Michael; tough enough in the everyday way of things. But this kind of cold-blooded murder is alien to him.And I've lost Baxter.Again.Who is she?Stanton stands over me, his face thoughtful."I'm in the clear in this one you realise? I was at ground leve
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The Master's Child Chapter 193: Natale, Part 31
It's cold outside, but Klempner sits on the low terrace wall wearing no more than a thin pullover."Want one of these?" I proffer a coffee, heavily laced with whiskey, topped with thick cream.He startles, but then, "Thank you, James." He doesn't smile. His eyes are soft with melancholy as he stares down, watching October mist curling over the lake."Will you visit the grave?""Yes." The single word isn't followed by any others."When will you go?""Sooner rather than later." He breathes steam and fragrant alcohol. "I'm making arrangements now. The Canadian winter arrives early and in force. It'll be under six feet of snow there very soon, and for the next several months.""Would you mind some company?"He twists to face me. "You want to come?""I'd like to pay my respects to the brave woman for whom my daughter is named."He blinks, nodding as he casts his gaze down. "Thank you, James. I appreciate that.""Charlotte wants to go as well."And now he smiles. I
The Master's Child Chapter 192: Natale, Part 30
JamesFamily...All gathered together around the breakfast table: Michael to the left of Charlotte, I'm to her right, bouncing Cara on my knee while Charlotte takes a break to get some food down her throat. Beyond Michael, Beth feeds Adam, Richard flanking them.Klempner and Mitch sit side by side. She's turned discreetly away, feeding Vicky. Larry watches, still wearing that slightly spaced-out expression...Man-in-shock?For all the right reasons...Charlotte is very quiet. She eats, but her gaze sweeps the table and back again.Once she had nothing...Briefly, her eyes lock with her father's. He cocks his head, eyes full of question, but then her gaze moves on.What's he thinking?It's not hard to figure. Right from the time Klempner arrived back with us, although he's clearly content to be here, he's had an air of... waiting...The Rat-Tat! of the front door rattles down the hall.Michael pushes his chair back. "I'll go." A half-eaten slice of toast in one h
The Master's Child Chapter 191: Natale, Part 29
RichardMy intercom buzzes. "Yes, Francis?""I have the police commissioner on for you, Mr Haswell. He... doesn't sound very happy."I can guess what this is going to be about. I've been waiting for it. "Thanks for the warning, Francis. Put him through please..." The line clicks and reconnects. "Richard?""Good morning, Will. What can I do for you?""I think you can guess why I'm calling you. I'm hearing rumours I don't like. Disturbing rumours.""I believe, Will, that I know which rumours you mean. I've been wanting to discuss them with you. Perhaps you would like to meet for lunch to discuss the matter? Somewhere quiet? ""And away from the office? Yes, I think so."*****The waiter sets a plate in front of each of us, steak in pepper sauce for Will, a prawn souffle for me. He tops up the glasses of Cabernet. "Is there anything else, sir?""No, thank you. That's perfect." I wait until he is out of earshot before I speak. "So, Will...These disturbing rumours?
The Master's Child Chapter 190: Natale, Part 28
KlempnerThe view is restful. Living in Mitch's small apartment, hidden away from the world, does...... I suppose...... constitute 'domestic bliss'. But that's at night. For much of the day, we spend our time in the main family home of Jenny's Triad. The women chatter and gossip. The men alternate between business and banter. One or other of the babies always needs attention...It's exhausting.But when it comes to it, that's not the root of my problem.Retreating from noise and activity and 'family-fun' to the sanctuary of the terrace, I let the view wash away the anxiety gnawing at the back of my mind.It's always the waiting...Give me action and some lunatic with a gun every time...Stay calm...Mist curls over the lake far below. On the slopes close by, every blade of grass is etched with a rime of frost that will thaw to dew when the sun crests the mountain. Further down, the individual blades meld into a smooth sheet of silver that merge into haze and wa
The Master's Child Chapter 189: Natale, Part 27
Two coffeepots later, we've run out of croissants and moved onto toasted muffins. James slices one in two, dropping the halves into the toaster. He pauses, "Another one, Beth?"She's sitting up against the headboard, next to Charlotte, the two propped up against each other, eating from a shared plate. Beth slathers butter and blackberry jam onto what she has. "Thanks, but I'm fine with this, James. I'll not eat again 'til suppertime.""Charlotte?""Mmmm..." She nods, mumbling through a mouthful, wiping a smear of melted butter from the corner of her mouth. She swallows, then holds up half a muffin - minus two bites. "What is it about muffins and bad weather? I always want more of them."James rolls a look at her, then to me, shaking his head...A wise man says nothing...Richard sucks jam from his fingers, lips smacking. "On a complete change of subject... Elizabeth and I were talking..." Beth falls still, her shoulders slumping... "... Please don't take this the wrong way,
The Master's Child Chapter 188: Natale, Part 26
MichaelIt's dark...What woke me?Somewhere down and beside me, the sound of whining. "Scruffy? You need to go out, boy?"At this hour?What the hell time is it?I'm snug and comfortable, draped with a thick duvet. Charlotte, warm and fragrant, sleeps tucked in beside me. Through the curtains, it's pitch-black.Scruffy whines again, this time scratching at the bed.Wonder if he's eaten something he shouldn't?Stretching an arm blindly out beyond the cosy comfort of the blankets, I pat across the side-table, hunting for the light switch. When I find it, as it turns out, it's not Scruffy's habit of eating every bit of rubbish he comes across that is at fault. The clock tells me it's half past seven and my rag-tag mongrel is making a perfectly reasonable request to be let out to relieve the pressures of the night.But outside, there's no sign of daylight and, joys of joys, rain lashes against the window.Goodbye to summer...Scruffy's whining ups by half an octave
The Master's Child Chapter 187: Natale, Part 25
JamesAn orderly tries to block the way, arms outstretched in front of the door. "Sir, you can't..."Klempner simply brushes by him.From beyond, Mitch's voice. "Let him in..."The orderly spins, mouth open. "What? All of them?""Yes!!!! Ah... Fuccckkkk...."The monk's feet skid uselessly over the polished floor as he tries to resist his inexorable forward journey into the delivery room. His voice rises to a wail. "But I'm not a priest. I can't do this." Klempner growls, "I don't care if you're a priest, a rabbi, an imam, or if you ran the Bring-and-Buy at the church garden party. The lady here wants our child born in wedlock. You're going to marry us."Klempner turns his attention to Mitch, lying on her back on the delivery table, yelling her way through another contraction. She flings out an arm, grabbing at his wrist. He winces, but lays his other hand on top. "We'll just let this one pass..."The midwife, checking a bleeping monitor, flashes a look at Mitch. "Yo
The Master's Child Chapter 186: Natale, Part 24
RichardMy mobile bleeps: James.Landed. at airport now. home approx 90 mins. Tell Mitch he's keenElizabeth grins at me as I tap in the reply.don't go home. come city hospital. Mitch in labourThere's a short pause...Elizabeth holds up her hand, counting down silent fingers: Five... Four... Three... Two...... and my mobile bleeps again.When M go into labour?3 hrs doc and midwife say early but all normal all goodWith you ASAP K got taxi flying on wings of fire*****The corridor is painted the required institutional off-white, scraped black in long stripes at trolley-bed height. The lighting is the compulsory harsh fluorescent white. One strip blinks on and off. Signs point off down apparently identical corridors: Intensive Care... Reception... A & E... Chapel and Prayer Room... Radiology... Cardiology... Breast Screening...How many ways is it possible to be sick?Footsteps echo along the corridor; marching footsteps, almost stampeding footsteps.A
The Master's Child Chapter 185: Natale, Part 23
KlempnerAt last, I get some privacy with her. James ushers out Jenny, protesting all the way. Michael leaves too, turning as he exits to give me a kind of approving nod.Haswell poured glasses of champagne, passing them around at their side of the screen, although I did notice that he poured for Mitch from a different bottle. The top of the flute is just in view, spitting the odd bubble over the rim."Are you alone now?"She looks sidelong, off-screen. "Yes, they've gone.""What's Kirstie doing there?""I'm fitting her for her wedding dress. They've set the date for Christmas, remember.""I didn't know that.""Oh... no... Of course you wouldn't." She takes a sip of her bubbly, looking away. "It's been so long. They said you were dead. The police said there was a body.""There was, but not mine."She peers into the screen, searching my face. "How are you? What happened?""I'll tell you sometime, but not now. What's important, is how you are and..." I nod down, bel
