Buying The Virgin Part 1-3

MICHAEL

Will says, “Charlotte’s father, Frank Conners, was murdered, either by, or at the instruction of, Lawrence Klempner.”

There is stunned silence, then, “Is it known why?” asks James. “He was involved with their trafficking trade?”

“We don’t know the motive. Perhaps that was it. What is also unknown, as yet, is how Charlotte herself, or as she then was, Jennifer Conners, came to be in Blessingmoors at all….”

“That file you had on her, said she was placed there as a ward of the court; that her mother was unfit….” I point out.

“Yes, that’s so.” agrees Will. “However, here we have a discrepancy because what has also emerged, is that Michelle Conners was not, in fact, deemed unfit as a carer, as the mother of a young baby. When we cross-referenced to the court records, there is nothing there to support the content of the Blessingmoors file….”

I am about to interrupt again, but Will raises a finger, silencing me. “And, what we now know is that in fact, Michelle Conners was, at that time, given a new identity for her own protection. Her child should have been with her at that point.”

“So, Charlotte’s mother is alive? She has a family?” demands James.

“We don’t know. We can’t find her. We have had officers visit her last known address, but that is from over twenty years ago. She’s dropped off our radar.”

He is about to say more when his phone rings. He glances at the scene. “Excuse me a moment. I need to take this call.”

He listens in silence then, “Yes? Good… and… Yes? I’m on my way.” He taps off the mobile. “The attacker they dragged from the building has woken up. He wants to plea-bargain. He’s ready to talk.”

“Does he know where Beth and Charlotte have been taken?”

“I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

*****

Ill at ease, barely speaking, we wait. And we wait.

James paces the room. Richard sits, drumming the tabletop with his fingers. I fight down the nausea that rises every time I think about what Will has told us.

is in the hands of

“Yes?” He covers the set for a moment. “It’s Will. Yes? Yes…. What!” He jots something down.

it’s not far away. Can you believe it?

*****

CHARLOTTE

resting, and standing and walking about. When my opportunity comes, I

be able to take her with me again? I’m not

and the door opens, and a man brandishing a gun enters, followed by

My colleague, Mr Corby, will be

against the wall, legs outstretched. Klempner stands over her, inserts first one foot between her

that’s my privilege. He can have you instead. The pair of you look enough alike that he should be happy with that. When he’s finished,

that? Had a man at every hole? I know she

says nothing, tears rolling down her cheeks, her breathing short

eh? Before I let the others at you? How many

payoff? What have ever

He shows his teeth….

Is that a smile?

his goon follows. The door closes behind him, followed by the rattle of keys in the lock and the slam of

windows barred. The only way out of this room is to be taken

but

long have we got? Before Corby

on the door. “Hey, I need

of a struggle with lock and bolts, the door bangs open again, and one of

and…. and I’m nervous.

then, gun trained on me, points me out of the room into a hallway, and at the next door.

the five or ten seconds I have, between exited the one room and entering the next, I get a

not be nearly large enough for me to squeeze out. Trying my luck anyway, I stand