CHAPTER 89: The Virgin’s Summer, Part 29
“Michael?”
“You saw him, at the Club.”
“The blond man?”
Nod.
“So, you met Michael during this week also?”
Nod head.
He stands, pours himself another coffee, offers me the jug. I accept, and again, gulp it down.
“So, you are telling me, quite clearly, that although he paid for, um, your services, during that initial week, James treated you well, and you are with him now entirely because you choose to be?”
Nod head.
“Does he know you are here? Talking to me?”
Nod head.
He taps the console on his desk. “Francis, track down James Alexanders would you. Tell him I’d like a word. I suspect he’s not far away.”
Haswell continues. “He sent you in here? To face me alone over this?”
“No. I insisted. He wouldn’t be in this position if he hadn’t tried to help me.”
In less than a minute, there is a sharp rap at the door.
“Come in, James,” says Haswell, without even looking away from me.
My Master strides in, looking down at me. “You okay?”
“Yes, Mas... James.” He stands behind me, takes my hand, strokes my fingers.
A glint of humour creases Haswell’s eyes at my words, my stumble.
“Contrary to what you might imagine, Charlotte, I am not angry with you. It is in the nature of things that young, beautiful women tend to attach themselves to rich and powerful men. You would hardly be the first to have done it by contract.”
For a moment he pauses, seeming to consider some other thing, then, “You did the right thing in coming to me. I wouldn’t worry too much about the blackmail aspect. You have effectively disarmed him by speaking with me.” He looks up at my Master, irritably. “James, will you stop hovering over her like a protective hen. I’m not going to bite.”
My Master sits beside me.
“He may still do it anyway, spread it around, out of spite,” I say.
Haswell sniffs. “We may be able to do something about that. A man who behaves in that fashion probably has other unpleasant secrets. We’ll start by trying to track down the other girl in the auction that you mentioned. Do you know her name?”
“No, but I suppose the auction house would know.”
“They will,” says my Master. “It was in the contract that the auction house knew exactly the identities of the girls and the buyers. Also, where the girls were taken afterwards. And, that they followed up, to ensure the girls were safe.”
“They never followed up on me,” I say.
“They didn’t?”
Shake head.
“So,” continues Haswell, “as it happens, the Commissioner of Police is a friend of mine. We’ll start there. As to you two...” he looks me in the eye, pointing at my Master. “You are telling me, here and now, that although he ‘bought’ you, he did not abuse you? He treated you well? And that you are with him because you wish to be? He has no hold over you other than... the bonds of affection?”
“Yes, that is what I am telling you.”
“Very well, Charlotte. You may go, but don’t go too far. I may wish to speak with you again. James, you stay.”
I go out to reception, try to read a magazine, but my head won’t take in the words. After about fifteen minutes, there’s a buzz at the desk.
“Yes, Mr Haswell?” says Francis.
“Is Charlotte out there?”
“She’s right here.”
“Send her in, would you.”
I tap on the door.
“Come in, Charlotte.”
I sit, feeling uncomfortable. What has happened while I was out?
But my Master seems relaxed. As I look at him for reassurance, he droops an eyelid in half a wink, before returning his attention to Haswell.
Haswell passes me another coffee. “Charlotte, I’m sorry that you have had such an uncomfortable morning. My only concern in... interrogating you… for so long, was that we are discussing the character of a man that I am about to sign up as a director of my company. Once I was satisfied that your relationship with James is truly consensual, I ceased to be concerned about that aspect of the matter.”
I shift uneasily, nodding, but staring at the floor.
He sits back, sipping his coffee, before placing the cup and saucer carefully down on the table. “Let me reassure you. Based on what I now know, your ‘confession’ will have no repercussions for either yourself or James here, for our working relationship.”
I take a deep breath. “Thank you.” My voice is small.
“I can see you are still uncomfortable. Perhaps as to the nature of your relationship with James.… your Master?”
My eyes flash up to meet his, but he is smiling.
“Perhaps it would make you feel easier to know that I have a similar relationship with my wife?”
I blink. “Really?”
“Really. As I say, arrangements between beautiful women and powerful men are not that uncommon. And, although I barely know you, it is clear to me already, that you face your problems and you deal with them. I understand how hard you must have found it, to come to me today. And very few women would have had the nerve to take your um, chosen route, to raising your college funds. Regardless of what you might fear, I think well of you Charlotte.”
Then he waves us both out. “I have some phone calls to make.”
Francis buzzes me. “Charlotte, could you come to the office, please. Mr Haswell wants to see you.”
I arrive to find Haswell, my Master and Ned Jansen seated around a table. Jansen looks smug. My Master’s expression is masked, Haswell’s bland.
“And here’s our gutter rat,” smirks Jansen.
“Better gutter rat than sewer rat,” I snap back.
“Charlotte, sit down,” says Haswell, indicating a seat next to my Master.
I move to the seat, but as I squeeze by Jansen, his hand slides up to grope my ass.
I whirl, hand raised, but my wrist is seized by my Master.
“Charlotte, sit.”
I hesitate, resisting, fighting him.
“This is not a request. Sit,” he says, pointing at the chair.
I submit to my Master, seating myself, but poised for trouble.
“So, Mr Jansen,” starts Haswell, “What is the nature of your complaint?”
“I’m being asked to work with people unfit to be in their posts,” says Jansen.
“Ms Conners and Mr Alexanders?”
“Yes.”
“By what reason?”
“You’ve seen the brochure and the film. You know what reason.”
“Ah yes, the brochure and the film, both sent to me in a plain, unmarked brown envelope. The only reason I know who sent them was that Ms Conners herself alerted me to it, and of course, you have now confirmed it.”
Jensen says nothing, but his face colours up.
“Might I also enquire Mr Jansen, how you came to be in possession of said brochure and video content? It is not the kind of material that is normally left casually lying around.”