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Chapter 58: Hostage, Part 18
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The Master's Child Chapter 59: Hostage, Part 19
JamesBreakfast time.Charlotte is up and about, refusing to stay in bed. And, while she is still tired, I see no reason to insist on bedrest. Right now, she will do far better for being back at home and enjoying 'family life'.Nonetheless, I've encouraged her to wear a woolly housecoat over the nightie, slippers and bed socks. Hopefully, that will prevent her trying to go outdoors. The fog outside hasn't cleared yet and I don't want the damp settling on her chest.She's too pale. At least, she's always pale, but that's her natural colouring. Right now, there's still that pallid edge to her complexion that I don't care for.Almost a week of being chained in her own shit.Living on crap junk food.Scared half mindless...Blood loss from the birth...Hmmm...Charlotte sits with Cara on her lap, providing her breakfast and Beth sits close by making cooing noises.She'll enjoy a good breakfast...And with that in mind, I'm at the hob with bacon, fried and scrambled
The Master's Child Chapter 60: Hostage, Part 20
KlempnerAt the door, standing ajar, I hesitate, my stomach suddenly dropping away.Have I done enough?With muscles oddly reluctant to move, I tap on the door, very quietly."It's open."I push, and too slowly, the door swings wider.Jenny's sitting in a rocking chair by the window. Her hair, so like her mother's spills over a thick shawl pulled around her shoulders. A warm blanket covers her lap. And her face, while pale, has lost that sheen she had when Michael and I found her.And held in her arms, wrapped in layers of knitted woollens...Cara...Your daughter.My granddaughter.I want to say something. Something appropriate, but I'm not sure what it should be. I abused you...Mistreated you...Took my revenge on you...For something you had no involvement in.And as your gaze rises to me, you smile... "Father..."When did I ever think to see you smile at me?"May I come in?""Of course you can." She adjusts her position, fiddles with the l
The Master's Child Chapter 61: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 1
Three Days Before ChristmasThe clouds, low, dull and grey, match my mood, and I stare out of the passenger window, not wanting to show my disappointment. Sleet spikes down, spitting onto the windscreen and the wipers squeak, leaving white streaks as they arc across the glass.Ryan, from the driver's seat, lays a hand on my thigh. "Cheer up. There'll be others." "I know..." My throat is unreasonably tight. "It just looked so good in the ad. I'd thought maybe..."He cuts in, but the cheerful tone to his voice sounds forced. "Vendors are always going to overegg the cake. It did say, Needs Renovation."I huff. "Needs complete demolition and rebuilding would have been nearer the mark." Then, at his answering silence, I realise how waspish I must have just sounded. "Sorry, I didn't mean it to come out like that. It wasn't aimed at you."He squeezes my knee. "I know. Hey, tell you what. We're not far away. Let's go say Hi to the happy family. You can deliver your balloon and you
The Master's Child Chapter 62: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 2
Transfixed on her baby, "She's so beautiful..." she murmurs. "I still can't believe she's real." Her face rises to mine. "Don't you think she's beautiful?"I regard Charlotte's baby daughter. Only a few days old, red-faced and with a thin swirl of dark hair, her dark eyes are vague and she blows small bubbles from her mouth."If I'm truthful, no, I don't think she's beautiful..." Charlotte's jaw falls slack... Then looking around, I realise everyone is staring at me.Oh, crap..."... but I do think she's completely adorable..." I keep talking, trying to rescue myself from my faux pas... "... Like a puppy that you know is one day going to be all silky fur and sleek muscles. But when they're just born, they all look like a furry sausage with a leg at each corner."Richard bursts out laughing. "But people-puppies are never as cute as the real thing? Is that it, Kirstie?""Um..." I mumble. "Something like that."My embarrassment is interrupted by James returning, carrying a h
The Master's Child Chapter 63: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 3
James joins us, stretching out his legs in the passenger seat as Richard takes us down the mountain and back onto the main highway. Then, he curves around the base of the mountain before turning off to follow first a side-road; then a narrow country lane.We pass frozen fields, frigid and sparkling, lined by hedgerows of hawthorn and crab apples, bare of leaves but bright with winter fruit. The fields give way to woodland, the trees stretching naked branches towards the thin sunlight filtering under the grey sky. Crossing a humped stone bridge, we cross rushing water; the road narrow enough that Richard slows down, steering carefully to avoid scraping the sides of his car.Then, as we turn a corner, the woodland opens up to reveal a huge building; neglected and abandoned, four storeys high, built from brick and stone. Even from here, I can see that the windows are barred, much of the glass broken."This is it." Richard draws in towards tall steel-bar gates, razor wire looping
The Master's Child Chapter 64: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 4
Chains and padlocks dangle loose from double-doors standing wide. The space inside is dim, beckoning us inside.We enter, stepping between cones of bird droppings into a single open space, taking up what looks like the whole of the ground floor. Daylight filters through clouded glass and cobwebs from the far side. Pigeons scatter as we enter then resettle, cooing protest at our invasion of their private space. Their calls echo with our footsteps as, without speaking a word, we cross the open floor to the murky windows.A quick search through my bag produces a tissue, and I swipe over dust to clear a small viewing hole through the grime, just big enough to peer out and over the river."We can do better than that," comes Ryan's voice from a few feet away.He's standing by another set of steel double-doors. Again, a chain dangles free from between the handles and he lifts a locking bar, then swings the doors open. Pale sunlight spills inside, and dust motes sparkle brilliantly in
The Master's Child Chapter 65: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 5
Back at the Threesome's home, Michael serves up coffee and cake in the lounge then piles logs onto the fire.Richard's phone buzzes. He holds up a forefinger and everyone falls silent."Yes? Ah, Brian, thank you for getting back so quickly..." His eyes pass to mine. "Yes, I have them with me... Yes? As per the original asking price? Ah... I understand. Yes, I'll get back to you."He snaps the lid down on his mobile. "That was my old friend, the owner of the mill. He is hesitating because his lawyer has been approached by a third party who has offered him a better price."The cake congeals in my mouth. Ryan sags. "Oh... That's that then. We can't get into a bidding war. As it is, we'd be way out on a limb financially..."Richard Harrumphs, then sniffs. "Not necessarily. There's more to any offer than the price."I swallow hard, trying to free my mouth of cake. "I'm not with you. What else is there?""Oh..." Richard lifts arms, opens his palms... "Intended end-use. Reputat
The Master's Child Chapter 66: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 6
Two Days Before ChristmasFor the second time in two days we pull up at the Threesome's...Fivesome's?... home, this time with my Gang of Four in the back, howling enthusiasm as they realise where they are; yapping, barking and baying demands to be let out right now.The door opens to Michael... "Ah, that's great," he says. "You made it..." Then he stands back hastily as my Gang barge past him in a hairy, slobbering crowd into their old 'home'. "Looks like they remember where they are..." he laughs."And are pleased to be here too." I kiss his cheek. "And thank you so much for this.""It's a pleasure, Kirstie, to be able to help. And you too Ryan. We were worrying you might be beaten by the snow." He cranes out, scanning the sky. "You got here just in time, I'd say. The forecast says there's going to be a heavy fall tonight and by the look of those clouds, it's on the way."Even as he speaks, a fat snowflake drifts down, lying on the cold ground like the most delicate of
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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
