Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 33

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?

it on at the same price he paid for

of payment, the agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot more by following his original plans for the

said he didn’t have any

option on

to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important man.

they’re clearly all looking out

words over in

Lawrence Klempner…

he know

rest

as

I went looking for skeletons on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable

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 position who would be

do that

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

really is looking into the distance, scanning over field and lake and wood and

just taking the air,

sidelong at me. “Baxter’s still

about him?

him. He’s tried his best to hurt my family, in the worst possible way, as a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to believe he’s given up on that.” He chews his lower

drying, “You

knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks his hand back and forth... “Just

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I say, “Isn’t

lets it

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.

two of you were

exactly, but long-term colleagues. We

it's someone else,

head inclining.

Someone

at his teeth. “Not that I’m aware of. But I’ll

into silence and I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention Michael,” I

head, jolting slightly.

Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

“I understand

like Michael? Everyone

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

being fair

a brow. “You think

his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t

what?” Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

“Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea I have

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

It doesn't mean it's

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

read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own

seem offended. More amused.

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