Buying the Virgin novel Chapter 127

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.

And Charlotte is in the hands of these people.

Richard’s phone rings. “Yes?” He covers the set for a moment. “It’s Will. Yes? Yes…. What!” He jots something down. “We’re on our way. How long before you can get there? Is that with back-up? Right!”

He clicks off. “Come on. We’re going. We know where they were taken, and it’s not far away. Can you believe it? We’re almost on top of them. It’s an old abandoned farm. I’ll tell you on the way.”

*****

CHARLOTTE

I try to alternate between sitting and resting, and standing and walking about. When my opportunity comes, I need to be able to go.

Beth doesn’t look so good. She’s not handling this well. Will I be able to take her with me again? I’m not sure. How can I judge, when I have no idea where we are, and what I will find outside?

There is a click of keys and the door opens, and a man brandishing a gun enters, followed by Klempner. He smiles brightly at us.

“Good evening ladies. I just thought I’d bring you up to date on the news. My colleague, Mr Corby, will be arriving in due course, and we’ll be starting our entertainments then….”

Beth cowers in the corner, where she sits on the floor, leaning against the wall, legs outstretched. Klempner stands over her, inserts first one foot between her ankles, and then the other. He does no more, but his implication is obvious as he pushes her legs apart.

Staring down at her, he says, “Corby wanted to fuck Jennifer first; show her how annoyed he is with her. But 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, the others can take turns with you… Or they might not take turns. That’s up to them.”

He waits, enjoying her fear. “Ever done that? Had a man at every hole? I know she has.” He tosses his head across to me.

Beth says nothing, tears rolling down her cheeks, her breathing short and rapid.

He turns to me. “I’m having you first. Get some pay-off eh? Before I let the others at you? How many can you handle at once d’you reckon? We’ll find out, shall we?”