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

period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot

have

you imagine he had an option on the place?

not a secretary.” Then what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important man. He

them all in there…” He thumbs back into the house… “Jenny, James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other…

words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he know about

rest

talk as

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

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 made an offer

do

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 turns distant again… “… or I’m trying

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

taking the air, are you? You’re watching

slants sidelong at me. “Baxter’s still out

worried about him? I

the worst possible way, as a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason

“You think he'll

be looking. But...” He rocks his hand

His words hang, half-said…

though,” I say, “Isn’t

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

why. He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police.

two of you

long-term colleagues. We knew

it's someone

blinks, his head inclining.

A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone close enough to get inside his head… Is Baxter married? Is there a

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

begin to

head,

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

a laugh. “I understand why my daughter

don’t like Michael?

didn’t say I don’t like him. I simply don’t think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she

being

a brow. “You think

but whatever he

Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

“Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

It doesn't mean it's not

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

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

offended. More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255