Masters And Lovers 1-4
Chapter 25
Michael
Christ!
Trying to ignore the pounding under my ribs, I tap off my phone, hastily dropping it into my lap and slapping both hands on the wheel as I pass a police car.
At least he knows…
James can look after himself, at least for a while.
Charlotte…
How far away am I?
At least an hour…
Shit!
I’m trying to get my foot down on the pedal but I’m moving through traffic.
The blue light drops away behind me and I fumble for my phone again, trying to tap in Charlotte’s number.
A horn blares and I swerve. The pounding in my chest turns to a bang and my fingertips tingle.
And before I can try again, the screen flashes and Ben’s ringtone plays.
That’s all I need…
Fumbling, I tap to connect. “Ben, whatever it is, I can’t.”
His voice is surly. “I called to talk to you but it’s too much trouble is it?”
“Ben, gimme a break. I’ve got an emergency on my hands. This isn’t the time.”
“What?” His voice perks, the tone changing completely. “What emergency? What’s wrong, Bro?”
“Klempner’s out.”
“Klempner? The maniac from Blessingmoors?”
“Yes, him. And the timing’s too much of a coincidence. He’s got to be after Charlotte and her mother. She’s not answering her phone. They don’t know. I’m trying to get to them, but I’m caught in traffic.”
“Mike, where are you? And where are they?”
“In the city center somewhere. Went shopping. I’m an hour away. My meeting ran late…”
“Whoa! Slow down. Stop panicking. I’m in town myself. I’ll go find them. Where in the centre? D’you know where they were headed?”
“James says they were going to Francesca’s. You know… the tearooms.”
“On my way. I’m on my way. I’ll call you back.”
”Thanks, Ben. I owe you one.”
Bro. I’ll always look
He rings off.
horns blaring at me as I squeal through traffic, dodging from one lane to the next, then back again, I race to find
*****
James
corridor to the end room…
the four-poster at the end… Not a place one brags about in public, for all the pleasure I have had there with my
room holds
apparently a knot in the timber. With a quiet click, the rack swings and opens to reveal the entrance
never need to use it, but right now, Michael’s tunnel represents my only hope of safety. Stepping inside, I pull the door quietly closed
entrance without a very careful search, and even then would probably need to know what
Beth might somehow become entangled. And Richard is utterly trustworthy. If any
to run in stupid circles shouting that the sky is falling. But Michael is right. The best thing I can do right now for Charlotte is to get myself to safety. We can
and there where the roof dips. Wires trail where Michael had started on installing lighting, but not yet completed the work. No matter. I light my way with my mobile, first passing through the stonework of the house foundations, then
sound of banging reverberates down. I pause,
Forcing entry?
followed by a crash. A fine trickle of
They’re in…
I keep moving.
little at one point to make space for a stack of sealed plastic crates. Despite the emergency, I smile to
on the crates…
I find walking boots, thick socks, outdoor
course, a man who once escaped gunmen by running naked into the snow would
and socks and pull on a heavy woolen sweater. It’s cool outside, but not freezing or raining, so
What else?
rucksack contains a bottle of water, several self-heating food
Time to go…
I
against the end of the tunnel. I climb it, lift the
… and pause… listening…
I ease the hatch fully open. I can’t be seen here. The exit sits
fast. Very soon it will be
to the supply stash to look for what
And it is…
another nail, three
point risking a
He thought of everything…
up and out, then maneuver my way through the thicket of thorns, spikes and brambles so carefully nurtured by Michael, until it opens into a woodland clearing. From here I have only to make
Has he found them?
contracts at
Clear your head…
Walk…
the house windows are brightly
Figures move, back-lit.
many does he have