The Lover's Children novel Chapter 128

HARKNESS

As she slips the buttons open, I knock back my drink, then pour another. My stomach rolls again.

Fuck…

She pauses in her dancing. “Are you hungry, oh, King?”

I really, really want pizza…

Why not?

Like the whore-bitch said, make an evening of it…

I point. “Gimme that.”

She frowns, looking confused. “What is it you wish, oh, King?”

“Thatsh.”

“This?” She picks up the menu holder.

“Yeah. Gimme.” She offers it out. “No, you read it.”

“Which one?”

“Pizza. I want pizza.”

She riffles through and picks out a menu. “What kind do you want?”

*****

KLEMPNER

As I’m finishing my coffee, my mobile rings.

Michael wipes away a foam moustache with the back of his hand. “Looks like Mitch is back. Or is it Charlotte returning your call?”

“Neither. It’s come up Number Not Known…”

Hmmm…

Still, how many have my number?

Maybe one of Haswell’s cronies…

I shrug it off, tap in. “Hello?”

The female voice at the end of the line answers instantly. “Hello, I'd like to order pizza for two. To be delivered, please.”

It sounds like Mitch. But of course, it’s not.

Odd, the games the mind plays. I’m expecting to Mitch to call me back, so it’s her voice my brain hears.

“Sorry, you’ve dialled the wrong number.”

I’m about to tap off, but the voice continues, tight and controlled. “I'd like the Four Seasons, please. And a side salad.”

And this time, my brain kicks in. It is Mitch.

“Mitch, what's wrong? Where are you?” Michael straightens up, eyes narrowing, abruptly paying attention.

“I'd like it delivered as soon as you can please. We're all very hungry here.”

No… Or I couldn’t answer at all…

Still, I lower my voice. “Mitch, you're in trouble? There’s someone with you, and you can't talk?”

“I’ll ask.” Her voice muffles briefly. “Did you want fries with yours?”

And in the background, a male voice. “Yeah, large portion. Might as well celebrate.”

I know that voice.

Harkness…

“Mitch, how many of you are in the room? Is it just you and him?”

“Would the large-sized pizza be enough for two…?

My breath tightening, without even thinking, I'm stampeding toward the truck, snagging keys from my pocket as I talk, jerking my head to Michael. He trots alongside, ear cocked as I tap onto loudspeaker, holding it between us.

Mitch continues…“…No? In that case, we’ll have two mediums and a small side of slaw.”

Michael’s eyes widen.

“So it’s you and Harkness?” I say. “Just the two of you?”

A tremor slides through Mitch’s voice. “That’s right, but you missed the small side of slaw.”

?

Fuck!

“One of the children is with you? He’s holding one of the children hostage?”

“That’s right…”

“Just one of the children? Or all of them?”

More muttering from off-side, then, “Sorry, cancel the fries. Make it spicy wedges instead. Just a single portion.”

“Mitch, if he's armed, ask me for extra anchovies.”

“Oh, and I'd like extra anchovies on the topping...” A muffled bark in the background... “Sorry, just one of the pizzas for the anchovies.”

“Is he armed with a knife? Or a gun?”

“No need, we can slice it up here.”

“If he's armed with a gun as well, ask him if he wants our special offer on a half-price Pepsi.”

“Let me check the address.” She mutters and a voice drawls in the background. “We’re in the Harbour View Motel. You can leave the delivery at the reception desk.”

“Keep him talking, Mitch. Or whatever it takes. As long as you can. We’re coming.”

Fuck...

Fuck… Fuck!

*****

JAMES

My mobile buzzes. Michael.

“Hello, Michael. What can I do for…?”

The line buzzes. Another incoming call.

“Sorry, Michael, what was…”

“James, shut up and listen. The Surgeon’s got Mitch…”

My heart Bangs. A pulse of blood ricochets behind my ears. The pulse slams to the end of my fingers…

And I'm already running…

…charging for the door…

… The phone pressed to my ear… “I'm on my way, tell me.”

“I don’t have the full story yet. Mitch managed to contact Klempner, faking ordering a pizza. Harkness has her and at least one of the children…”

“She was with Charlotte…”

“Not answering her phone. I called Chad to go see. Told him to take anyone and everyone on hand. I’m with Klempner now, on our way to the address Mitch gave him. I’ve already raised the alarm with Stanton…”

“Message me that address…”

“Already on its way...”