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 r
