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?

he was selling it on at the

the terms of payment, the agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have

have any

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

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

they’re clearly all looking out

turn his words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he

the rest

as

in my previous life… I went looking for skeletons on 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

favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your

do

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…”

I realise that he’s not simply staring into space. He really is looking into the distance, scanning over

not just taking the air, are

at me. “Baxter’s still

about him? I

a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to believe he’s given up

drying, “You think he'll come

not. He knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks his hand back and forth... “Just in

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,”

under his breath, then breathes in, lets it

still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police. We've known each other a long time. He

two of you were

colleagues. We

someone

his head inclining. “Like

than you, perhaps? A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough to get inside

I’m aware of.

into silence and I begin to

head,

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

are cracking a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is

like Michael? Everyone

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 the brains of the operation

not being

brow.

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

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

brow rises further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's

He muses. “It's something Mitch is strong

hooker? I suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke

he doesn’t seem offended. More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she didn't

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