Masters And Lovers 1-4

“I need air.” Klempner jerks his head to the door. “And you and I need to talk.”

I follow him out. Kirch, standing outside, reaches with one hand into his jacket, then stands back, gun loose in his hand.

Is this it?

Could I run?

With my leg?

Might as well show a bit of dignity…

I stand straight, raise my chin.

Klempner paces a little. “James, we need to forget our differences. You want Jenny and Mitch safe. I want them safe. Something has happened. If you believe that Michael’s brother is behind their disappearance, then we’re on the same side. We have to trust each other.”

What the fuck?

I start to speak then run out of saliva. I suck my cheeks then try again. “I'm supposed to trust you when you have abducted me? When you keep me covered by a gunman? It’s not exactly a mark of goodwill is it?”

Klempner blinks, hesitates. Then he turns, snapping fingers at Kirch and pointing to his weapon.

Kirch gives him a startled glance. “Sir?”

“Your Glock. Give it to me. Come on, you’re not going to miss it. I’m sure you have another tucked away somewhere.”

Slowly, reluctantly, Kirch passes his weapon across. Klempner gives it a cursory inspection…

Here it comes…

I hold my breath…

… then offers it, grip first, to me.

surreal. I take the weapon, curling fingers around

unfamiliar in my hand. But now, here I stand, holding a loaded gun, pointing it directly at the man I thought

I begin to think I might make it out of this

his stance casual.

have to

Then I’d appreciate it if you pointed that somewhere else.” He reaches toward me, a forefinger extended, easing the barrel to one side. “I imagine you’re not familiar

never held a gun in my life. I’m an

Point and Shoot covers most of it. Not shooting yourself in the foot covers most of the rest.” He inhales. “Now, are

The word feels unnatural. “Yes, I think

can tell us about his brother and what he might

*****

kidding me? You want Klempner to

a prisoner. And he’s as interested in finding

“Fuck you, Klempner. If you think I’m playing along with this charade, you’re crazy.

And the line cuts.

my

fixed on the road

before I can reply, my phone goes into overdrive, flashing

supposed to be the

phone, peering in at the display. “That’s Kirstie raising the alarm. And if I’m getting this, then so’s everyone

alarmed.

Do I tell him?

not

“Haswell, Michael, Ryan…”

“Who’s Ryan?”

“Kirstie’s ex.”

“The police?”

the Haswell offices. Part of her remit is to

trace