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?

said he was selling it on at the same price he paid

But I heard what he’s offering you. With the terms of payment, the agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's

have any plans for

had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international

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

looking out

turn his words over in my

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he know about

rest

as though

previous life… I went looking for skeletons on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can

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

didn’t do that

raised the 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,

is looking into the distance, scanning over

just taking the air, are you?

at me. “Baxter’s still

about him? I

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

drying, “You

But...” He rocks his hand

His words hang, half-said…

else though,” I say,

in, lets it out. He paces,

him, and I still don't understand why. He said I’d

two of you

friends exactly, but long-term colleagues. We knew

it's someone else,

blinks, his head

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

I’m aware of. But I’ll think about what you

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

shakes his head, jolting

James, Richard,

snorts, but his eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand why

don’t like Michael? Everyone

of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him. It’s not as

being

brow. “You

but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t always read people properly.

Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

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

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

realise that. It doesn't mean

He muses. “It's something Mitch is

got to make you better at the job…” Then

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

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