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?

at the same price he

time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot more by following his

said he didn’t have

“Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not a charity

what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do

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

his words over in

Lawrence Klempner…

he know

rest

talk as though

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 to protect Jenny, so he's trying to protect

his best effort to do you a favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie,

do that

alarm when Ben might have murdered Jenny and Mitch. And you 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…” His gaze

space. He really is looking into

taking the air, are you? You’re watching for

at me. “Baxter’s still out

worried about him?

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

“You think

be looking. But...” He rocks his hand back

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I say, “Isn’t

lets

back over his head. “Baxter insisted that I betrayed him, and I 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 knows I wouldn't behave like

of you

friends exactly, but long-term colleagues.

someone

head inclining.

who knows him better than you, perhaps? A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough

aware of. But I’ll think about what you

begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention

shakes his head, jolting

talked about everyone else; James, Richard, Beth,

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

don’t like Michael? Everyone likes

like him. I simply don’t think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was

not being

brow.

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

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

rises further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

It doesn't mean it's

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

you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words. “Oh, God… I’m

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

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