Buying The Virgin Part 1-3

CHARLOTTE

Richard’s whole manner screams of tension.

Francis taps keys. “I’m already on it, Richard.” peering at her laptop screen. “Her phone is showing up as being in Berkeley Street.”

Richard? She always calls him ‘Mr Haswell’.

“Is that where you and she were shopping?” he asks me.

“Just around the corner, yes.”

“Francis, give the exact location to Ross.” and back to his phone. “Ross, did you catch all that? Yes, go and find her.” Brow furrowed, he is pale.

“Richard, what’s wrong?” asks my Master.

“Elizabeth was kidnapped once. Ever since then, I’ve always kept an eye on more or less where she is…. Part of Ross’ job description is to be, essentially, her bodyguard. Charlotte, did anything odd happen while you were out with her?”

“Um, not odd exactly. There were men looking at her, but they were looking at all the women. I thought they were just…. well, looking at women.”

“Did you say anything to Elizabeth about it?”

“Er, no.” I gulp, hanging my head. “I should have, shouldn’t I?”

Richard looks at me over his glasses. “You weren’t to know, but for future reference Charlotte, be suspicious. It comes naturally to you anyway, and it’s a skill you should hone, not damp down.”

“Why was Beth abducted before?” asks my Master. “For ransom?”

“On that occasion, no. It was someone with a grudge against me, but ransom is always a possibility of course.”

“How did you get her back?”

“Tracked her phone.…”

Richard paces up and down. In less than five minutes, his mobile rings again. “Yes? No…. Oh, God! Yes, have a look around for anything else, then come back here to the office Ross, if you would.”

He switches off his phone, looking sick. “Elizabeth’s phone was in a refuse bin on Berkeley Street, along with her bag.”

For a moment he almost sags, looking reduced. Then, swiping hands through his hair, he stands up straight again. “Francis, call Will Stanton would you. Report Elizabeth as missing.”

My Master is shaking his head, unbelieving. “Richard, is there anything we can do?”

these men you saw, ‘looking at women’. Do you think you could identify

really looking at them, but I can

“You weren’t looking?”

guy you’re not interested in, tries to eye you up, you look the

office phone rings, Francis answering. “Richard, it’s Will for

Within the last two hours. Yes, she was with friends, Charlotte actually, out shopping. Charlotte’s come back, but Elizabeth didn’t get to her rendezvous with Ross…… Yes, that’s right. Charlotte’s here. She thinks she saw men looking while they were out, and that she might recognise the faces. Yes…. I’m sure she

Master and I stand helplessly by. Then Richard stands again, pulling himself straight. “Sorry about that,” he says. “I’m no good to her if

would you like me

suspects for ransom, abduction and

“Yes, of course.”

send out for something to eat?” asks

It could be a long

what’s happening.” says my Master. “Don’t want him

in the conference room, once

am still there, my Master sitting across from me,

over a face. The police

face is older, more lined, the hair receding

but not from

“Then where?”

Blessingmoors. He was one of the staff there

in this area now. We’ve been keeping an eye on him, but could never pin a conviction on him….” He taps more

of known associates…”

and my Master are bending behind over me, watching over my shoulder. The officer swings his laptop to me.

faces, then….” That’s one of them. One of

straightens

looks as though

back to your mountain place. No-one’s going to fall across

away. I should be helping here. And

do here, and I’ll work better when I’m not worrying about what’s happening to you. If you’re with Michael, I know you’re

kid to be packed off to bed. And I looked after myself

arguing.

without arguing? Or do I have to sling you over my shoulder and carry you out? Believe

can physically resist Michael. What choice do I

dignity and leave with him. But I don’t have to like it. As we drive up the steep mountain road, narrow and bending, I stare out of the passenger window,

you going to keep that up all day?” he asks. “There’s no point

how would you feel in my

rubs my thigh with his non-driving hand. “Come on. I know you’re not happy about it, but James really will cope better without you there. So will Richard. So, why don’t you make the best of