Chapter 27: Chapter 27

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 I can’t do anything. I could scream and rage, howling my fury at the world.

But I settle for sitting, keeping my silence.

Klempner sits too, surveying me, eyes narrowed, when…

My phone blinks in his hand, an incoming message.

Fuck!

Klempner whips out, tapping at the flashing screen. He curses as it still doesn’t unlock. But he offers up the phone to me, showing me the preview before it blinks off. “Your friend Michael is worried. You haven’t contacted him and he wonders if you’re alright. Wouldn’t you like to speak to him?”

Fuck you…

But I keep the thought to myself and my lips sealed.

Then he touches his ear again… That strange gesture…

After a moment, “I’d say you're about to get a call.”

How...?

He tosses the phone across and as my fingers snap around it, it rings.

Michael...

Ah, crap...

And I feel stupid beyond belief. How could I have missed it?

There was never a spy.

Fucking obvious…

Michael’s voice is quiet, whispering. “James, are you alright? I expected…”

“Michael, your car’s bugged...”

“What… James, how…?”

“Klempner, he’s got your car bugged. He’s here now. He’s been listening to you on an ear-piece.”

I expect him to leap forward, snatch the phone from me. At the least to have me gagged. But he doesn’t.

Why is he letting me speak?

Instead, Klempner slow-claps. “I knew you had it in you, James. That you’d get there eventually. Now, put the phone on speaker.”

I jab to disconnect but moving like a striking snake, Klempner plucks the mobile from my hand and taps on the speaker button. “Michael, so pleased to hear from you…”

Michael blurts out, “James, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Nothing hurt beyond my dignity.”

… Yet…

“Really fine?”

“Really fine. Shaken but not stirred.”

“James…” Panic rings through his voice.

Doesn’t know what he can safely say…

“… I’m still trying to get to them. Ben’s looking but he hasn’t found them yet.”

Ben?

Where’s he sprung from?

“… Has Klempner got them?”

Klempner breaks in. “Michael, I know you haven’t found the women nor has your brother. And no, I don’t have them, but it’s only a matter of time before one of my men tracks them down.”

“If you hurt Charlotte, you bastard, I’ll not rest until…”

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

“Oh, right.” Michael drips derision. “Charlotte too I suppose. A nice friendly conversation between father and daughter.”

“We’ve had a few of those over the last few months, haven’t we? And she’s Mitch’s daughter too.”

“You knew she was Mitch’s daughter all along. That didn’t stop you from…”

I shout, loudly to be sure he hears me. “Michael, shut the fuck up and cut the call.”

The mobile goes dark.

*****

Michael I kill the connection and resist the urge to hurl the phone at the windscreen.

James, a prisoner…

Charlotte…

Has Ben found her?

I scream in pure frustration, venting fury and impotence.

Bugged…

Silent running…

... if that's possible...

My phone flashes again. And again, I jab on the speaker.

“Ben! Have you found them? Be careful what you say. We’re not private. The car’s bugged.”

“Bugged? What…?” He pauses for a moment. All I hear is heavy breathing. “Mike, never mind. Tell me later. No, I’ve not found them yet…” Ben’s voice is breathless, breaking. “I’m at Francesca’s now. They weren’t in the tea-room so I’m working through the store, seeing if I can find them on the sales floors.

Mike, this man, Klempner, what does he want with Charlotte?”

“It could be her mother he really wants. It could be both. That’s my guess. The timing’s too close.

Having only just found Mitch. Klempner says he just wants to talk with her. If you believe that…”

“He’s gone to all this trouble just to talk?” Even over the hum of the engine Ben’s puzzlement is clear.

“Hang on… Klempner says…?”

“Sorry, Ben. Things are moving too fast. I’m forgetting you don’t know. Klempner’s there. At the house, I think. And he’s got James…”

“Christ! What’s he going to do? You don’t think…?”

“I’ve no idea. But I can’t worry about everyone. James is just going to have to take care of himself for now…” But my stomach turns over… “I have to…. We have to look out for Charlotte and Mitch.”

“Where are you, Mike? How far away? It’ll be easier with two of us.”

“I’m in the City but I’m trapped in traffic. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep your phone handy.”

“Of course. Listen, when you get here…” But the signal crackles then dies.

*****