Chapter 46

James

The alert icon flashes up on my screen, then within seconds a photo-message appears on my mobile, then another.

Good girl….

I open up the slave-link to Kirstie's computer and watch the video she has running. This time I have a ring-side view of the cafe window.

A fair-haired man is sitting there. It's still indistinct, but it could be the same individual as from the previous poor image. I double check against the stills she sent from her phone then tap a message through.

thnx kirstie, james here. sit tight and do nthng. am taking over your screen

And now I have something real to work with. I re-centre on the face. A little basic cleaning-up, some refocusing and the image is bright and sharp and perfectly clear.

I message her again.

that the man?

yes

I zoom in, catching detail; several good clear shots of his face: weather-tanned features are framed by hair with a sun-bleached look. His shirt is open at the top by a couple of buttons showing part of what could be a tattoo underneath.

And Kirstie is correct. He is clearly watching the building. Although sitting quietly with a mug and a newspaper, every time anyone enters or leaves the Haswell offices, he looks.

Now what?

As I watch, he picks up his cup and tipping his head back, drains it, then bangs it down on the counter. Rolling up his newspaper, he shoves it into a pocket and leaves.

Not got what he wants….

So, he'll be back…

I phone downstairs. "Kirstie, how many times have you seen him?"

"Three times so far."

"Thank you, Kirstie. Good work. If you see him again, don't hesitate to let me know."

What to do next?

Do I tell Charlotte?

I tap into my phone again. "Michael, are you free? There's something we need to talk about."

*****

"So, we're agreed? We tell her?"

Michael nods. So does Richard. I call her number. "Charlotte, are you busy with anything right now?"

"Nothing that won't wait, Master."

"Can you come to my office, please. There's something we need to talk about."

"Of course, Master. What's it about?"

"It's better if we tell you face to face."

"We?"

"Michael and Richard are here too."

Uncertainty trembles in her voice. "I'm on my way."

I look to the other two. "She knows something's going on." I turn the screen of my laptop away from view.

*****

A tap on the door and she walks in, then pauses, chewing her bottom lip as she looks around the room. "What is it?"

Michael stands, then ushers her to the seat next to him. "James has something to show you." He sits by her, taking her hand in his.

Her eyes dart to mine with that startled deer look she has when she's nervous….

Try to break it gently…?

Or just get on with it?

There isn't a gentle way….

Go for it….

"Charlotte, as you know, I've been trying for some time to locate the leak that is providing Klempner with his information…." Her head tilts back, her eyes fixed on me. "We think we may have found it."

Her mouth barely opens as she speaks. "Go on…."

"Kirstie has spotted someone watching the building. We have him captured on stills and video. We would like you to look to see if you recognise him as one of Klempner's men or as someone who was associated with Blessingmoors."

She's blinking fast and a lock of hair is being wound and re-wound around a finger. Michael's hand tightens over hers. "Show me," she says.

I swing the laptop around to face her; the screen displaying the clearest shot I have of our mysterious watcher.

Charlotte leans in close. "Tom!" she exclaims, pointing at the screen. "That's Tom."

She's so positive, and she doesn't sound upset, only surprised. Michael, Richard and I exchange startled glances.

"You know him?" I say. "You recognise him?"

"Yes," she insists. "It's Tom from the farm."

"You're sure of that?"

"Absolutely. I knew him all the time I was there." She smiles broadly.

Richard sits back in his seat, a finger pressed to his lips. "Friend of yours?" His voice is neutral.

"Um…." Charlotte pulls herself up, her smile fading. "Yes, I suppose…." Her voice falters as she looks at the screen. "I'm not sure."

He leans forward, elbows on the table-top. "Charlotte, I have to ask you. Is it possible that Tom was spying on you? You told me once that you never really understood why you were at the farm. Is it possible that Tom was watching you for Klempner?"

All her uncertainty is back. "I don't know." She stares into the distance. "It's true, I never understood how I came to be at the farm."

"Perhaps we should ask Klempner," suggests Michael. "It had to have been him that had you sent there. We know that his interest in you was very personal. Perhaps he wanted you to mature in a different environment than Blessingmoors?"

"But still keep an eye on her while she grows up? Plant a spy?" finishes Richard. "And whatever this Tom's relationship to Charlotte," he nods towards the screen, "I'd like to know why he appears to be staking out my offices."

"Think we should bring him in ourselves?" I ask.

"No." Richard stands. "If we do that, it might qualify as abduction. That puts us in front of the judge. I think we do this by the book. I'm calling Will Stanton."

*****