The Lover's Children novel Chapter 87

KLEMPNER

James speaks in level tones. “How do you think you can help?”

“I know people. Or knew them, a few years ago. I can ask. They’ll talk to me even…” She lifts her face to mine… “… even if they won’t talk to you.”

“Why?” His expression turns harsh. “Who are these people, Charlotte? And where are they?”

“It’s South Street and around there. I have friends there. Or I did. It's been a long time, but I could find them again.”

James Aaahhs, raising his face to the ceiling. “South Street? That's not a good area. Why would you know people around there?”

Her eyes turn wary. “It's from before I knew you. I lived there for a while. When I first came back to the City.” She turns a spotlight gaze on me…

Ye gods, but you look like your mother…

… “I'm not sure if you should come or not.”

I see the penny drop. “It’s the street girls themselves, isn’t it?” says James. “You lived down there. You knew them. And you’re afraid you might find your father put some of them there.”

Jenny’s chin juts, but she remains silent.

“You're right,” I say. “My being with you would be problematic.” James shoots me a look sidelong. “It could scare off some of these friends of yours. As I’ve already learned, it only takes one who knew me personally, rather than Baxter or Bech, and the whole area closes down against me…”

Her mouth opens to speak but I talk over her. “… However, I should still come with you. When you’re talking to the women, I can stay in the background, but I'd be able to ask questions of their handlers in a way you couldn't.”

James jabs a finger toward me. “A word if you please. Charlotte, out. If Michael’s around, send him in. And if I find you lurking behind the door, you’ll feel my belt.”

*****

MICHAEL

James circles like a caged tiger, bristling threat. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

Klempner oozes nonchalance. “I’m not suggesting sending her out by herself. I’d be close. So could you and Michael, if you wanted.” James’ fists ball, but Klempner’s still speaking. “… It’s an obvious thing to do. After the miscarriage, Jenny’s depressed. If you want to knock her out of her depression, give her something to feel responsible for, other than being just a failed mother.”

I surge forward, but James beats me to it. “She is not a failed mother,” he hisses.

Klempner lounges back against the door, arms folded. “Of course she isn’t. But it’s how she feels right now. We can all see it.” James pauses, some of the tension easing from his shoulders.

Klempner straightens up, his indifferent air fading. “Jenny wants to help in the hunt for the killer. So, let her. It will give her something else to think about. A purpose. Once she has control over something... And once…” He jerks a thumb at me… “… Laughing Boy here gets her knocked up again, her state of mind will look after itself.”

Much as I’d like to punch the bastard in the face, I’m not sure whether to rise to Klempner’s baiting or…

… I sigh, rubbing the base of my skull. “You know, he might have a point. Richard said something similar to me once. Charlotte’s spent most of her life driving in high gear. Being just a mom may not be enough for her. I’m her husband. You’re her Dom, but neither of us can decide that for her.”

James looks ready to spit fire. “You seriously think we should agree to this?”

Hang on to your temper…

“James, this is Charlotte we’re talking about. Letting her do something doesn’t come into it. I’d say she’s already decided she’s going to do it. That being the case, perhaps we should go along with whatever she has in mind. That way we can keep our hands on the reins and retain some level of control.”

James glowers, then matches my sigh. “You’re right, of course. You’re both right.”

Klempner speaks. “I’ll add something else. We’re dealing with a ticking clock. Our killer is running late.”

“Late?” As one man, James and I spin to face him…

“The last murder was April,” continues Klempner. “We’re almost at mid-summer. Given that our killer has upped his game since he started, and that the intervals between the murders have reduced with each victim… If the Surgeon is working to his established pattern, he’s overdue to strike again.”

James blows out his cheeks. “Why might he break his pattern?

“He’s choosy about his targets.” Klempner clucks. Flashes brows. “Perhaps it’s taken him a while to pick out the next one. Whatever the reason, it’s almost certainly only a matter of time before he moves again.”

*****