Buying the Virgin

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?”

at women’. Do you think

I wasn’t really looking at

“You weren’t looking?”

not interested in, tries to eye you

answering. “Richard, it’s

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 would look through the photos if you can bring them here….” He

and sits back on the desk edge, head back, breathing deeply with his eyes closed. My 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

like me to do?”

for ransom, abduction and similar. If you could take

“Yes, of course.”

out for something to eat?” asks

could be a

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

I am sitting in the conference room, once more, scanning faces. This

am still there, my Master sitting across from me, occasionally sipping coffee

face. The police officer says, “Recognise

lined, the hair

not

“Then where?”

He was one of the staff

And he’s also known to be in this area now. We’ve been keeping an eye on him, but could never

has a number of known

over me, watching over my shoulder. The officer swings his laptop to me. “Could you

through half a dozen faces, then….” That’s one of them. One of the men

straightens

on my shoulder. “Charlotte, I’m sorry. It looks as though they took Elizabeth by

to your mountain place. No-one’s going

want to hide away. I should be helping here. And Beth’s my

in my direction. “Go with Michael. We have things to do here, and I’ll work better when I’m not worrying about what’s happening to you. If you’re with Michael, I

be packed off to bed. And I looked after myself quite nicely long before I ever met

not arguing.

Or do I have to sling you over my shoulder and

I can physically resist Michael.

it. As we drive up the steep mountain road, narrow and bending, I stare

keep that up all day?” he asks. “There’s no point sulking at me just

you

really will cope better without you