Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 32

“I need air.” Klempner jerks his head to the door. “And you and I need to talk.”

I follow him out. Kirch, standing outside, reaches with one hand into his jacket, then stands back, gun loose in his hand.

Is this it?

Could I run?

With my leg?

Might as well show a bit of dignity…

I stand straight, raise my chin.

Klempner paces a little. “James, we need to forget our differences. You want Jenny and Mitch safe. I want them safe. Something has happened. If you believe that Michael’s brother is behind their disappearance, then we’re on the same side. We have to trust each other.”

What the fuck?

I start to speak then run out of saliva. I suck my cheeks then try again. “I'm supposed to trust you when you have abducted me? When you keep me covered by a gunman? It’s not exactly a mark of goodwill is it?”

Klempner blinks, hesitates. Then he turns, snapping fingers at Kirch and pointing to his weapon.

Kirch gives him a startled glance. “Sir?”

“Your Glock. Give it to me. Come on, you’re not going to miss it. I’m sure you have another tucked away somewhere.”

Slowly, reluctantly, Kirch passes his weapon across. Klempner gives it a cursory inspection…

Here it comes…

I hold my breath…

… then offers it, grip first, to me.

It’s surreal. I take the weapon, curling fingers around the handle. And the world moves into slow-motion.

It’s unfamiliar in my hand. But now, here I stand, holding a loaded gun, pointing it directly at the man I thought my enemy.

And for the first time I begin to think I might make it out of this situation alive…

Klempner stands, head tilted, his stance casual. “Is that enough goodwill for you?”

“I think I’d have to say… yes.”

“Good. Then I’d appreciate it if you pointed that somewhere else.” He reaches toward me, a forefinger extended, easing the barrel to one side. “I imagine you’re not familiar with the model?”

“I’ve never held a gun in my life. I’m an engineer, not a sharpshooter.”

“It’s not complicated. For a beginner, Point and Shoot covers most of it. Not shooting yourself in the foot covers most of the rest.” He inhales. “Now, are we on the same side?”

“Yes.” The word feels unnatural. “Yes, I think we are.”

"Good. Let’s go collect Eye-Candy first. Find out what he can tell us about his brother and what he might do. You call him. Get him to meet us."

*****

Michael doesn’t react well. “James are you kidding me? You want Klempner to have both of us prisoner?”

“I’m not a prisoner. And he’s as interested in finding the women as we are. Where are you?”

He yells over the line. “Fuck you, Klempner. If you think I’m playing along with this charade, you’re crazy. You’ve got a gun at his head or something for him to be talking like this.”

And the line cuts.