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?

it on at the same price he

agreed interest rate and the time period… he's… well, if he's not losing money, he could have made a lot more

didn’t have any plans

head. “Really? So why do you imagine he had an option on the place?

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

they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to be where he is,

his words

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he

rest of

as though you've

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

sniffs. “I’d say you’ve 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 like that by a man like him; a billionaire, one of

do that

kidnapper.” He muses then smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget that. If you ever need my help, Kirstie, you can remember that I

into space. He really is looking into the distance,

taking the air,

sidelong at me. “Baxter’s still

about

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

mouth drying, “You think he'll

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

His words hang, half-said…

something else though,” I

breathes in, lets it

He said I’d abandoned him. Left him for the police. We've known each other

of you were

colleagues.

it's someone else,

head inclining.

perhaps? A partner? A brother? A lover? Someone

that I’m aware

and I begin to

head,

everyone else; James, Richard, Beth,

but his eyes are cracking a laugh. “I understand

Michael? Everyone

was opting for when she

not being

cocks a brow.

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

what?” Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

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

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean it's

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

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

seem offended. More amused. “Perhaps. Still…

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