“… But we still can’t just go charging in,” says Richard. “If you believe they’ll simply murder her regardless, we need a distraction.”
Klempner raises brows. “We?”
“You think I’m not going to help? I’ll be coming with you.”
Klempner huffs. “The hell you will. They want money and you want to walk into their arms? I can just see Finchby’s face when he realises he’s got a billionaire for a hostage. Besides…” He cocks his head at Beth… “… you have a pregnant wife of your own to consider and… And I want someone staying here to keep an eye on Mitch too.”
Richard opens his mouth, I think to protest, but at that moment, phones and laptops alike bing an incoming message.
Marsh Street under Barnbridge Road overpass 9pm
Bring the money
No police No other people or she dies
If late she dies. So does the baby
I check my watch. “That’s just over two hours from now. It’s over an hour’s drive to the City from here. We’d better get moving.”
“So, who does what?” says Mitch.
Klempner is already putting on his shoulder holster. “That’s an easy one. I’ll go into Club Electric. Get Jenny out. James, you’re with me. Michael, you deliver the money. Keep them occupied.”
“No,” says James. “I’m the wrong man for you to have with you. It should be Michael.”
Klempner looks surprised. “I’m happy to have you at my back, James. I know you have nerve.”
“Yes, I’d like to think so. But I’m not up to it physically. I have no training in how to use a gun, which I’m sure is part of what you have in mind… And with my leg, I might let you down. Take Michael with you. He’ll be much more useful in a fight than I am…”
Klempner opens his mouth, obviously about to argue, but James holds up a forefinger… “Also, Michael is the right one to have there for Charlotte. She needs immediate medical help and he is much more able to deliver that than I am.”
Narrow-eyed, Klempner says, “And you?”
“I’ll deliver the money.”
“That’s not the easy option, James. It’s very unlikely they’ll simply have you leave it at the drop-off point. They’ll almost certainly give you the run-around to be sure you’re alone. And that leg of yours won’t help there either. It will slow you down, especially if you have to do a lot of running.”
“That’s fine. So, it slows me down. They’ll be paying attention to me. That gives you more time for the rescue. They won’t kill Charlotte ’til they know they have the cash, so if I’m slow, so much the better.”
“And what about this distraction?”
“A bag containing a million in cash is a fair distraction, wouldn’t you say? I’ll be the bag man. Run their maze… whatever it is. You and Michael go get Charlotte.”
Klempner’s glance darts between me and James. “You agree with that?”
“Yes, I do.”
He pins me with his eye. “If you come, you take orders from me. Agreed?”
Something inside me wants to growl, but my common sense asserts itself. “Agreed.”
Klempner sucks at his teeth. “You’re sure of this, James? These aren’t nice people. Once they have the money they’re as likely as not to shoot you for the sheer hell of it, all aside from the detail of getting rid of witnesses.”
“Someone has to do this. You two are needed elsewhere. And more useful elsewhere.”
Klempner considers then, “Alright, agreed. But let’s give you a little insurance.” He takes up one of his bags, unzipping the top.
“I told you, there’s not a lot of point giving me a gun. I really don’t know what to do with one.”
Klempner’s fishing through the bag. He looks up from under his brows. “You might surprise yourself, James, if it came to it. But it’s not a gun I’m thinking of.” He tugs out what looks like a plain black gilet, except it has velcro straps at the sides. “Put this on.”
He smiles at James’ blank expression. “Kevlar body jacket. It won’t turn you into Superman, but it will give you some protection against gunfire.”
James hesitates, then removes his own jacket, pulling the vest on over his pullover. Klempner fusses at the side straps. “Take a deep breath and hold it.”
Expression bemused, James fills his lungs and Klempner adjusts the straps so the jacket fits his inflated chest. “If you don’t give yourself enough slack, it’ll feel like you have a rhino standing on your ribs if you have to run.”
He stands back. “You can breathe again now.” He examines the fit. “Can you move your arms properly? Lift them up and down. Swing them around.” James moves his arms like a kid playing ‘airplanes’.
Klempner nods. “Don’t let the vest make you feel safe. It protects your main body cavity, but an attacker can still get a shot at you from above, from below or from under your arms. And they’re not much use against knives or blades.”
“And if someone does try to shoot me?”
“It’ll stop the shot from most handguns you’re likely to encounter but if it’s anything sizeable, you’ll still feel like you’ve been hit by that rhino I mentioned.”
Richard’s phone tings. “Excuse me…” He listens for a second or two. Fine. Stay where you are. They’ll meet you there.” He clicks off. “Ross will be waiting on the City outskirts with the money for you.” He swallows, looks down. “Is there anything else I can usefully do here?”
“Yes,” says Klempner. “There’s a lot of unknowns here. It’s not impossible we might need the help of your friend, Mr Stanton. You stay by the phone. Stay available.”
“I will.”
He takes a breath. “Right, I’ll pick up my bag of tricks and we’ll be off. Michael…”
“Yes?”
“Bring that axe of yours.”
*****
James
Klempner’s looking pretty well-padded and about four sizes larger than I know he is.
“Are you wearing my fleece and Michael’s?”
“Yes, I am and I’m still bloody freezing. Lousy fucking climate. Next time you decide to have a family emergency, could you arrange it for August, please.”
Richard offers me his hand. “Good luck, James.” We shake and he moves to Michael. “You too, Michael.”
Michael takes the hand. “Sure thing. Look after Beth and Mitch.”
Richard hesitates for the smallest fraction of a second, then offers his hand to Klempner who stares at it before slowly accepting and shaking. Richard doesn’t say anything, simply gives him a nod before breaking contact.
Beth comes close to Michael, hangs her arms around his neck. “You be careful. I’ll be waiting.”
“I will.” He kisses her on the mouth…
Klempner watches, expressionless…
… then pushes her back to Richard. “Look after Mitch, eh.” Then he scans the room. “Where is Mitch?”
She’s nowhere in sight.
Klempner’s lids droop, hiding his soul, but his thoughts naked.
She could have seen him off…
“I’m here.”
In something under five minutes, she’s changed her clothes.
And her face.
The plain white blouse she’s wearing, a touch low-cut, is tightly belted over the flowing skirt, emphasising her curves. Her long red hair is pinned up and she’s made-up to cover the shadows under her eyes. A little blusher at her cheeks and a touch of colour on her lips; you would never know it was the face of a woman grieving.
And at her neck, her lovely pale swan neck, she wears a necklace of emeralds, set in white gold: thick and heavy, almost a collar: The love gift given to her, so many years ago, by Klempner.
He looks down at her, his mouth working, unspeaking.
She steps close to him, tilting her face upwards then abruptly slides her hand around the back of his head, pulling him down to herself.
For a moment, he seems too startled to react then, his arms wrapping around her, he reels her in tight as he returns the kiss, opening his mouth over hers.
Then… Mitch breaks away. “When you come back, Larry… When this is over, we’ll talk.”
He touches her face, his palm on her cheek, the thumb tracing her lips. “Yes, we’ll talk.”
The tableau holds for a heartbeat, two…
Then his hand falls. “James, Michael. Time to go.”
*****
As we exit, despite the seriousness of the situation, I can’t keep the grin off my face.
Klempner glances at me sidelong. “What?”
“I’ve never seen anyone get the warrior’s send-off before.”
“Oh, shut up,” he mutters.
Then, “Very well, gentlemen. Saddle up.”
*****
The Story Continues In
Hostage