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Chapter 42: Hostage, Part 2
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Master's Child Chapter 43: Hostage, Part 3
JamesThe message from Charlotte's abductors...Finchby...Baxter...... replays in my head...Marsh Street under Barnbridge Road overpass 9pmBring the moneyNo police. No other people or she diesIf late she dies. So does the babyBrandy and rage burn inside me.The bag containing the ransom money swings heavy in my hand. I'm the decoy and at some level, I know I may not come out of this alive. Klempner's Kevlar vest gives me a little comfort, but it's the fury inside that warms me against fast falling temperatures.I should be afraid...But I'm not.Jade-Eyes...My beautiful Jade-Eyes...And Cara... Your gift to me...Since the day I met Charlotte, my Virgin, we have helter-skeltered from one crisis to another...Her past has constantly pursued her, ruling her, robbed her of what she deserves. None of it her fault, she has simply been the survivor of everything life has dealt her.Would I change any of it?No. Nothing.Charlotte's past is
The Master's Child Chapter 44: Hostage, Part 4
MichaelRemoving two dozen slates makes a gap comfortably big enough to take a man and incidentally exposes the timbers. There's no question of how to anchor the rope this time."You realise we're probably invalidating Finchby's building insurance."Klempner whistles in. "What a shame." We peer down into Stygian darkness. "How far down you think? Twenty-five... Thirty feet?""It can't be more than that if the windows outside are anything to go by."This time on the rope, I'm much more in control.It's a straightforward climb down, the rope snagged by hand, thighs and crooked around one foot, and my body mass working for me rather than against, hand over hand, I descend into gloom. As my feet touch floor, the slight noise reverbs with the feel of a large empty space.Blind-sighted in the darkness, the faint lines of external light seep through eaves. Almost as I land, the rope shivers in my hand as Klempner also descends, coming at speed and I step smartly to one side a
The Master's Child Chapter 45: Hostage, Part 5
JamesDespite the cold, my heated face streams sweat which soaks down my neck and into my clothes.Slow down, Man...You can't sprint for a mile...I drop to a trot and my heartbeat decelerates to something more sustainable. The banging behind my ears subsides.Don't panic...The kidnappers may say Don't be late, but their priority is the money.Irony slaps me around the cheeks. Here I am, in an area I wouldn't normally consider walking at night, certainly not alone. And I'm running through it, toting a bag containing a cool million in cash.The steady rhythm of my jogging sets a metronome ticking in my head, clearing my thoughts.How fast is a jog?Six miles an hour?So, I should cover my mile in the ten minutes I have.Calm down...Nonetheless, I find myself counting paces; eating up distance with each one...They must be watching me...Where are they watching from?A parked car?Some alley I pass, where they can lurk in the darkness?Could be anyw
The Master's Child Chapter 46: Hostage, Part 6
MichaelFinchby and Baxter exit, and after a cautious moment, Klempner and I enter the office.The air is stale, musty with cigarette smoke, the walls and ceiling perhaps once white but now yellowed and draped with dusty cobwebs. I take the chair recently occupied by Finchby, trying hard not to actually touch anything. "You'd think he could afford a cleaner." "Finchby's staff are employed differently," mutters Klempner. But he regards the hovel of a room, lip curling.I pull the laptop closer. "Okay, so he runs the women as prostitutes, but he must be worth plenty. What's the point in being wealthy if you live like this?"Klempner nods but says nothing, simply pulling up the other seat by me, watching the screen with half an eye, the door with the other.The quartered screen flicks between shots of what looks like an entrance lobby, then a dance floor, various corridors... Each quarter displays a small insert: L2 lobby, L3 Bar, I try tapping the return, but the feed
The Master's Child Chapter 47: Hostage, Part 7
MichaelBack on the rear stairwell, we descend one level...Another landing, again with a corridor to both sides, flanked by the 'cells' we saw on the security feed."Next one down," murmurs Klempner. "This should be it."We pass under a single camera at the top of the next staircase, but it remains reassuringly off, its indicator light dark. Still, it's unsettling to have the empty black eye follow us as we descend into the dank scent of basements everywhere.At the bottom, the same single corridor, running right and left, doors off either side. Underfoot, slab floors are slippery with damp.There's no sound other than our own footsteps and, as I realise after a moment, my own heartbeat pulsing behind my ears. Down here, even the bass thump of the music doesn't carry.It's cold. Not the iced night of outdoors, but a moist chill that creeps into lungs and turns breath to grey mist.Klempner draws a fingertip through droplets hanging onto the brickwork, making a shining
The Master's Child Chapter 48: Hostage, Part 8
RichardAt the clinic, Elizabeth receives the red-carpet treatment. And the doctor is comforting in his brisk efficiency, taking away the need to think."I understand your concern, Mr Haswell, but be assured, your wife is in the best possible hands. We will try first to control the contractions; to see if we can halt the premature labour...""But what...?"He cuts in, shuts me up. "At this stage, even a few days delay in delivery can make life more comfortable for the baby. But..." He brandishes a forefinger... "If that proves impossible, the baby still has a very good chance indeed. Babies born preterm at this age have a 95% survival rate..."Elizabeth...In her room, in dressing gown and slippers, Elizabeth sits in an armchair, gulping down a glass of water as a nurse stands over her."Drink it down, Mrs Haswell. The Nifedipine should reduce the contractions. If we're lucky, it will stop them altogether. In any case, drink plenty of water.*****JamesLimping heav
The Master's Child Chapter 49: Hostage, Part 9
MichaelI recognise the face of James' guard, the one they're calling Hickman. I've seen it before in the photo Klempner identified; Baxter's henchman.He shoves James towards us, James shooting him a look that would knock flies from the air, before squatting down by Charlotte. He runs a finger over her cheek. "Sorry we took so long to get here."She returns the gesture. "They've hurt you."James' brows rise. His head tilts. "They've hurt me?"I struggle out from behind her. "James, take my place, support her. I need a look at what's happening."He manoeuvres to sit behind Charlotte, his back against the wall, kissing her rank hair as he supports her against himself.And now, kneeling between her open legs and with a decent view, I can see Cara's head is all but out. "I think one more good push will do it, Babe."Baxter waves the barrel of his pistol at Klempner. "On your knees. Hands behind your head."Klempner gives him a slow look then drops to the ground, fingers
The Master's Child Chapter 50: Hostage, Part 10
JamesMichael looks me up and down. "You fit to walk?""I'll manage."He gives a short jerk of his head and turns to Charlotte, arms outstretched. "You walk. I'll carry Cara for you."She retreats, clutching Cara to herself, shrieking. "No!" Michael steps back, holding up his palms. "Whoa... Calm down. It's me. What do you think I'm going to do?"She bursts into tears. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."He takes a step closer, moving carefully. "Charlotte, we have to leave. I'm not sure you can carry Cara and walk too.""No." She swings her head in denial, tries to step out, then totters, Cara still tight to her chest.Michael exchanges a look with me, shaking his head, then he moves in... "Hold on to Cara." .... sweeping her up. His voice changes to a kind of fake yokel accent. "Come, Mr Frodo!" he says. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."She gives him a watery smile. "I'm sorry.""Stop saying that. You'll be fine when we've got you home and rested up for a
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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
