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?

was selling it on at

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 not losing money,

didn’t have any

on the place? He heads a

what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an important man. He doesn’t

pursing his lips. “I’ve not truly worked out what’s going on with 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… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure

turn his words

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he know

rest of

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

No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would be

do

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

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

air, are you? You’re watching for

sidelong at me. “Baxter’s still out

worried about

me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no reason to believe he’s given up on that.”

“You think

knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,”

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

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

two of

long-term colleagues.

it's someone else,

his head inclining.

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

his teeth. “Not that I’m aware of. But

silence and I begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention Michael,” I

shakes his head,

James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte.

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

don’t like Michael? Everyone

think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she

being

a brow.

one with all the academic qualifications, the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

“Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea I

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

It doesn't mean it's not

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

better at the job…” Then I choke on

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

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

Comments ()

0/255