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 for

and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing

have any plans for

tilts his head. “Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation,

sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that?

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

turn his words over in my

Lawrence Klempner…

does he know

the rest of

talk as

on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as

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

didn’t do that

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,

staring into space. He really is looking

air, are you? You’re watching for

me. “Baxter’s still out

about

I’m 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 over the

mouth drying, “You think

But...” He rocks his

His words hang, half-said…

though,” I say, “Isn’t

breath, then breathes in, lets

still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned

of you were

but long-term colleagues. We knew

someone

blinks, his head inclining.

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

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

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

shakes his head, jolting slightly.

James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte. You didn't mention

a laugh. “I understand

Michael? Everyone

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

not being

cocks a brow.

may be the one with all the academic qualifications, the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t always

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

Really? That's

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

realise that. It doesn't

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

suppose if you can read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my

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

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