Chapter 107: Prey, Part 9

Michael

Klempner is pale faced, his cheek still swollen, and there's a weary edge to his movement, but he and Stanton stride in together as though they are two halves of a working team.

"You're back then?" says Klempner as he spots James. "What's the news on your daughter?"

James is grim, passes across a sheet of paper. "Just this."

Klempner reads the photocopied note; inclines his head, clicks his tongue. "What was her mother's involvement?"

"Baxter seduced the stupid bitch some months ago, then used her to move in on Georgie."

Klempner re-reads the note. "Comparing this with the messages from when Jenny was abducted, it has Baxter's stamp all over it. Phrased to be vindictive." He raises eyes. "And to knock you off balance. To stop you thinking straight."

James nods, looking sick at heart. Klempner regards him for a moment, lids half-lowered, then turns back to Stanton, busy checking his mobile. "So, do we have any reported sightings of Baxter yet? Or of Stannis?"