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?

selling it on at the same price he

the time period… he's… well, if

have any plans

do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation,

secretary.” Then what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why

house… “Jenny, James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a

turn his words over in my

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he know

the rest

as though you've

me, suppressing a smile. “Once… 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 helped to protect Jenny,

offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would

didn’t do that

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

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

not just taking the air, are you? You’re

sidelong at me. “Baxter’s

worried about

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 lip, staring out and down

mouth drying, “You think

looking. But...” He rocks his hand

His words hang, half-said…

though,” I say, “Isn’t

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

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 that. Or

of you were

exactly, but long-term colleagues.

it's someone

blinks, his head inclining.

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

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

lapses into silence and I begin to

shakes his head, jolting

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

his eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand

like Michael?

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 is

being fair on

a brow. “You

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

what?” Klempner seems

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

Really? That's an idea I have trouble

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's not

realise that too.” He muses. “It's something Mitch

she was a hooker? I suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words.

amused. “Perhaps. Still…