Chapter 124: The Shadow Of Obsession, Part 12, Cold comfort

CHARLOTTE

Two seconds to save my work, one second to slap down the lid of my laptop and I set off at a run. As I exit the elevator, Richard is waiting, perched on the edge of Francis' desk, head bowed. Francis' eyes are swimming.

"Georgie came to see him...?"

Surely he'd be pleased, happy?

"... What happened?"

Richard raises his head. "Thank you for coming so quickly. We don't know what happened. She arrived and he looked delighted as he went down to meet her. As she left, she wouldn't even let him see her downstairs. He's in his office."

I swallow, my breath pulling short. I tap softly on the closed door...

The barrier...

No reply.

I tap again, more loudly. "Mas...."

Francis...

"... James?"

No reply.

"James.... Master?"

I turn the handle with reluctant fingers.

Inside, my Master stands with his back to me, hands clasped behind his back, staring out of the window over the Cityscape.

"Master?"

"Leave me alone, Charlotte. "

"But Master..."