Chapter 5
768 Words
Chewing my frustration, I make coffee, find work for my hands…
Klempner in pursuit of the Surgeon…
City-wide alert from the police…
What the hell’s happening?
happening?Maybe I could call Will?
But plain common sense tells me that the city police commissioner has his hands full. Random calls, even from old friends, would not be welcome.
Exasperating as it is, I’ll just have to wait for news. Doubtless, Klempner will be in touch at some point.
Michael strolls into the kitchen. “That’s Marty settled into a room. I left her making a call to her sister to arrange something more permanent.”
“You’ve not left her alone, surely?”
“Charlotte’s keeping her company for the moment.”
“How is she?” I offer up the coffee pot. “Or would you prefer a cold beer?”
“Beer please.” He drops into a seat, swiping sweat from his face. “She seems okay, all things considered. The room’s en-suite, and I’ve given her the run of the restaurant and the other facilities while she sorts out her situation. Chad’s loading her stuff into storage for the meantime. And I gather Will Stanton’s on his way to interview her himself.”
“So… you think she’s coping?”
He sucks at the can… “God, that’s good…” …then holds it to his neck, wiping condensation over his skin. “Hard to say. I’m not sure what qualifies as coping in this situation. What does go through your head when you learn you’ve been targeted by a serial killer?”
doesI huff. “Perhaps we should ask Klempner for some insight on that.” Michael gives me a long look and I wish I could swallow my words. “Sorry, strike that. Bad taste. Can’t think why I said it.”
He shrugs it off. “Forget it. Graveyard humour seems appropriate right now. Do we know where Klempner is?”
“I’ve heard no more…” I cut off mid-sentence as my phone buzzes. “Ah, perhaps we’ll learn something now. It’s Will Stanton…” Michael’s brows rise and he leans forward, ear c****d. I tap my phone onto loudspeaker. “Hello, Will. What can I do for…?”
Will’s voice snaps out at me. “Richard, I"ll be brief. Klempner’s been involved in some kind of road incident. I don"t have the details yet but he was hit by a car while in pursuit of another man…”
“Crap!” Michael sits bolt upright. “The other man being the Surgeon? Harkness? Was he hit too?”
“Yes, we believe it was Harkness, but I’ve had no report that he was involved in the incident.”
“And Klempner’s condition?”
“As I speak, he’s in an ambulance on his way to A&E. I was going to call Mitch to let her know, but thought the news would be better coming from you."
Michael interrupts again. "There"s no word on how badly he"s hurt?"
"All I know is he was hit, and he"s drifting in and out of consciousness. I"m on my way to the scene, but I imagine Mitch and Charlotte will want to go to the hospital."
"We’ll all go. Thanks for letting us know, Will."
"No problem, Richard. I"ll be in touch if there"s anything else I can tell you. I have to go now." The line goes dead.
Michael scrapes a hand through his hair. “Christ! D’you know where Mitch is?”
“In the garden talking to James the last I saw.”
As I speak, the door opens and Mitch appears, carrying a tray, James right behind her. As she sees us, she pauses, her eyes passing between us. “What’s happened?”
*****
James snatches up car keys. “Mitch, I’ll drive you.”
Her face pinched white, Mitch bundles up bottles and baby clothes. Michael lays his hand on hers. “Mitch, why don’t you let me take Vicky and settle her into the crèche? If we… If we don’t know what we’re going to find, it would be better for you to know that Vicky’s being looked after elsewhere.”
Flat-lipped, eyes swimming, “Thank you,” she whispers.
Charlotte stamps in. “Cara too. I don"t want her seeing Dad until we know what condition he"s in.”
Beth’s right behind her. “Take Adam as well. They’ll be happier if they’re together.”
“Done,” says Michael. “You all set off. I’ll follow you as soon as the children are settled.”
*****
- Writer
