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?

on at the same price he paid for

so. 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 not losing money, he could have made

he didn’t have

an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not

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

they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But

his words over

Lawrence Klempner…

he know about

the rest of

as though you've

find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable as big business ever allows.” He aims a

Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would be made an

didn’t do

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

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

the air, are you? You’re watching for

me. “Baxter’s still out

about him? I

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 over the

“You

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

His words hang, half-said…

else though,” I

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

that I betrayed him, and I still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the

two of you

exactly, but long-term colleagues. We knew each other

someone

head inclining.

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

“Not that I’m aware of. But I’ll think

begin to feel awkward.

head, jolting slightly.

James, Richard, Beth,

cracking a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is

like Michael?

I simply don’t think it’s a meeting of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him. It’s not as though

being fair

brow. “You think

the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t always read

Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

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

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

realise that. It doesn't mean it's not

too.” He muses. “It's

a hooker? I suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the

amused. “Perhaps.

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