Michael

I’m driving like an idiot, racing to reach Charlotte, Mitch and Kirstie.

Why’s Charlotte not answering her phone?

And I’m hoping that the answer is the happy one; that she’s simply distracted, talking; enjoying herself and not paying attention. Or that she has the ringer turned off. Or…

My head swirls…

James said Francesca’s tea rooms…

Already, it’s nearly dark.

What time do they stay open until?

Friday. Late night. Probably until 9pm.

My mobile screen flashes, the vibe making the dashboard rattle as the phone dances over the vinyl. It’s Ben.

On loudspeaker, “Ben? Where are you?”

“Almost there. Just letting you know, I’m pulling into the car park now, so we might lose the signal. I’ll be in touch as soon as I know anything.”

And I return to champing and cursing at the traffic holding me trapped.

James…

I check my phone. No call. No message.

I check my watch. He’s had plenty of time to reach the shelter.

Should I call him?

Is he hurt?

Hiding?

Tapping in, I send a message.

Nothing.

“Fuck, James, talk to me.”

Got me talking to myself now…

*****

James

and rage,

I settle for sitting, keeping my

sits too, surveying

in his hand, an

Fuck!

he offers up the phone to me, showing me the preview before it blinks off. “Your friend

Fuck you…

to myself and my

touches his ear again…

moment, “I’d say you're

How...?

phone across and as my fingers snap around it, it

Michael...

Ah, crap...

beyond belief.

never

Fucking obvious…

quiet, whispering. “James, are

“Michael, your car’s bugged...”

“What… James, how…?”

car bugged. He’s here now. He’s been listening to

snatch the phone from me. At the least to have

is he letting me

Klempner slow-claps. “I knew you had it in you, James. That you’d get there eventually. Now,

snake, Klempner plucks the mobile from my hand and

out, “James, are

fine. Nothing hurt beyond my

… Yet…

“Really fine?”

Shaken

rings

know what he can

still trying to get to them. Ben’s looking but he hasn’t

Ben?

Where’s he sprung from?

Klempner got

I don’t

you hurt Charlotte, you

not gone to all this trouble to hurt anyone. I’ve been trying to find Mitch for over twenty years.

“Charlotte too I suppose. A nice friendly conversation

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