JAMESI'm partly taken aback at this sudden reversal. Partly fascinated by it........ and partly delighted....Sparky subs....For the first time since Kirstie started working here, I take a hard look at her, instead of white washing her with my memory of our first meeting those years ago at the Club.Just a sub?I stand over, deliberately looming. "And how do you arrive at that conclusion?"She doesn't cower, though perhaps she should. I don't make a habit of hitting women, except in the way I know they enjoy as much as I do. Nonetheless, I know I can intimidate.But she doesn't back down. "Look.... I know you're a Dom.... I mean, so's Michael, but he's a bit less obvious about it. But you...." And now she eyeballs me. ".... you walk through that lobby behind Charlotte like you've got her on reins. If you're in a situation where it matters that people don't realise what your.... domestic arrangements are, you could tone it down. That's all I'm saying. As it is, I'm su

KLEMPNERI can't think straight. My work doesn't hold my interest. My concentration is blown.An image of emerald-green eyes follows me.What are you doing now?I want to see her.I want to see her. Not the pro, but her.She's a whore. A professional. But still I want to see her.It's ridiculous.She's one of dozens....Hundreds....Mitch...".... Finchby is asking if you can supply more exotics...." I tune back to the real world. Bech is looking at me oddly. "Sir?""Yes?" I snap. "What?""What do you think of that idea? Finchby is asking for Asians and Orientals. Both sexes and specifically the younger ones.""Right...."Get your mind back on it....".... I may be able to arrange something, yes. I was planning trips next year to the Middle-East and around Rwanda. I could pull those forward."Bech nods, pursing his lips as he jots a note. "Very good. Anything else?""Yes, with all the turmoil in Eastern Europe right now, I want to investigate the opp

Outside, Mitch gestures down the street. "There's a little place down the road I sometimes stop for coffee."Without giving her a chance to refuse, I take the bag of books from her. "Let me carry that for you."The 'little place', a small cafe, is mainly occupied by student types. They sit in groups, wearing bohemian clothes and cheap gothic jewellery, arguing loudly. It's not quarrelling, but debate of the kind you get from the types that think they know the secrets of the universe, or they can put the world to rights by talking about it."Interesting place," I comment, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.Her lips make that quirk again; a sort of half-smile that would make the Mona Lisa long to be more subtle with her body language.She chooses a table by the window, speaking in a low voice. Humour dances at the corners of her eyes. "It's always interesting. Some of them can be quite profound. Some of them wouldn't know their ass from their elbow. But there's always c

JAMESKlempner's spy...Who is it?One uncommonly nasty thought haunts me....Could it be Ben?What has Michael told him?Certainly, Ben dislikes me....And now Charlotte too....But surely, he wouldn't betray Michael???How would Ben know Klempner in the first place???What should I do?What would Michael do? How would he react?Perhaps I should talk to him?*****He doesn't react well."You're suggesting my own brother might betray Charlotte to Klempner? What the fuck are you thinking James? Just because we've had a spat....""A spat? You call that a spat?" Heat is rising over my face and I take a moment to get myself back under control. "What have you told Ben?"He holds up hands, shaking his head. "Nothing about Klempner or Blessingmoors." He moves in close. Michael isn't so tall as I am, but he is much more heavily built and I have no wish to go the way of the chicken-shed."That's private stuff isn't it," he says. "Charlotte doesn't

KLEMPNER"Tired?"She yawns and stretches in her taxi seat. "Mmmm.... Yes. It's been a long day."I lay my hand on hers. "You can doze now. When we get aboard the ferry, we'll have a meal then you can sleep properly. It's an overnight trip.""What time do we sail?" Her relaxed air fades, replaced by suspicion."Around midnight. Now, sleep. Tomorrow you can enjoy the sea and we'll pull into Helsinki around sunset.""I'd not realised Stockholm and Helsinki were so far apart.""That's Scandinavia in mid-winter for you. The days are short. Sunset is only about three pm."*****"Oh my God," she breathes. "It's so beautiful." Mitch watches with that small-child-amazed look she has. "When you said it was a ferry, I expected something a lot more...."I swallow my satisfaction. "Basic? Grungy?"She blushes. "Mmmm, yes. But this is all glass and polished brass and...." She eyes me. "You've done this before.""Of course I have. You didn't think I would bring you somewhere