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 he paid for

payment, the agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well,

said he didn’t have

head. “Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not a charity for retired

he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But why would he do that? He’s an

“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.

turn his words

Lawrence Klempner…

does he

the rest

as though

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, so he's trying to protect

favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would be made an offer like that by a man like him;

do that

the 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

He really is looking into the distance, scanning over

just taking the air,

me. “Baxter’s

worried about

a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury.

mouth drying, “You think

But...” He

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I say, “Isn’t

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

I 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

two of you

long-term colleagues. We knew each other

someone else,

his head inclining. “Like

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

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

silence and I begin to feel awkward.

his head,

Richard,

a laugh. “I understand why

Michael?

minds Jenny was opting for when

being fair on

cocks a brow.

qualifications, the letters after his name, but whatever he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it

what?” Klempner seems genuinely

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

rises further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an idea I have

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's not

“It's something Mitch is

read people it's got to make you better at the job…” Then I choke on my own words. “Oh, God… I’m sorry… I

amused. “Perhaps. Still…

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