Hot Revenge Box Set 2

I scrutinize that crack in my footprint.

Need to get new boots soon…

Or I’ll have wet feet…

“I'm scared,” I admit.

His voice is soft. “Of what? Committing? To him?”

“No, not exactly. What if it all went wrong?”

I know that I sound like some spoiled child, complaining about homework or the wrong cookies with my milk, but the words keep coming… “What if I lost my job? Or Ryan was doing badly? If we couldn’t pay, we could lose everything.”

Klempner shrugs. “So, what’s the difference with that to paying rent for the rest of your life? That’s always going to be money down the drain. If you’re on a mortgage, you’re building it up.” He sniffs, scratches his nose. “It seems to me, that you need to sort out your priorities; to decide what it is you really want…”

He’s making a lot of sense…

But he keeps talking. “… Too many people go through life making do. If you fuck up what you really want, you could spend the next twenty years of your life regretting it, before you get another chance.”

“Like you did?”

His gaze goes distant, staring off down at the lake. “Like I did.”

Why are you talking to me like this?

Lawrence Klempner in the role of agony aunt…

However, my good sense rules and I keep that thought firmly inside my head where it belongs.

But I do keep speaking. “It’s just… it’s such a huge amount of money. I’m really worried we can’t afford it.”

Klempner sucks at his cheeks. “You work for Haswell? Do I have that right? And he’s arranging the purchase for this Mill you want to buy?”

“Yes, that's right.”

“And your Ryan, what does he do?”

“He owns his own company. They make heating and ventilation systems. He's doing a lot of contract work right now for James and Richard.”

“He’s the company director?”

“He is, yes.”

“So… his files are a matter of public record. Haswell probably has a very good idea of what he's worth too. And he knows what size of orders Ryan’s company is likely to pull in over the next few years?”

“I suppose so.”

Klempner huffs. “There’s no suppose about it. You don't get into Haswell’s position without having a knack for putting a value on people.” He levels a finger at me. “If he thinks you can afford it, you can afford it. And he’s the one offering you the sale and setting the price.”

Still I hesitate.

He lets out air. “Kirstie, you do realise that Haswell's selling it to you under value?”

He is?

on at the same

agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot more

said he didn’t have any plans

imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not a charity for retired friends and impecunious

rise. “I’m not a secretary.” Then what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would

Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to be where he is, he’s

words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he know about

rest of

talk as

Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable as big business ever allows.” He aims a finger at me. “You helped

say you’ve been pulled under the collective family wing. Haswell’s making his best effort to do you a favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your

didn’t do

identified Baxter as Jenny’s kidnapper.” He muses then smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget that. If you ever need my help, Kirstie, you can remember that I pay my debts too…”

simply staring into space. He really is looking into the distance, scanning

the air, are you? You’re

me. “Baxter’s still out

about him?

me.” His eyes flash

drying, “You

looking. But...” He rocks his

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,”

his breath, then breathes in, lets it out. He paces, circles, then

He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police. We've known each other a long time. He knows I wouldn't behave like that. Or he ought

two of you were

long-term colleagues. We knew each other

it's someone

blinks, his head inclining. “Like

who knows him better than you, perhaps? A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough to get inside his head… Is

“Not that I’m aware of.

and I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention

head, jolting slightly.

about everyone else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte. You didn't

snorts, but his eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is married

like Michael?

say I don’t like him. I simply don’t think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him. It’s not as though he’s

being fair

cocks a brow. “You think

the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well.

what?” Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

realise that. It doesn't mean

too.” He muses. “It's something Mitch is strong on.

I suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words. “Oh, God… I’m sorry…

More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she didn't read me