Michael

“James, we have to tell her. Given her condition, Mitch has to know. ”

He exhales slowly, avoiding my eye. “Yes, she does. I’ve… been avoiding it…”

“Hoping it would go away? That Klempner would contact us out of the blue and we could warn him? That just like that, everything would be alright?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“If Mitch doesn’t have all the facts, she can’t make proper decisions. She’s going to need support. And part of that support is to give her the truth. It’s not doing her any favours to be kept in the dark.”

“You’re right of course.” James squeezes his eyes closed, presses at a temple. “Let’s get it over with. Can you get everyone together. We’ll need the family with her for this.”

*****

Richard and Beth drop what they are doing, joining us in the lounge. Georgie appears shortly afterwards, strolling in from the hotel with a speculative look in her eye.

Elbow resting on the chair arm, I talk behind my hand to James in the next seat. “You think it’s a good idea to have Georgie here?”

“She’s family too,” he snaps. “And she was also targeted by that maniac woman. So, yes, she should be here.”

Turning away from me, he flips open his mobile, giving the screen a couple of taps. “Hickman? Yes, it’s James. Could you join us in the house, please… Yes, right away.”

I bite down on my doubts. Georgie sits off to one side, silently waiting, regarding me from under lidded eyes as she sees me watching her.

But it’s James’ call…

His daughter…

His problem…

Or at least, the problem he created…

Charlotte perhaps has similar reservations. She meets my gaze for a long moment, her attention broken as James speaks. “Charlotte, could you fetch your mother, please. Tell her I need a word.” He stares at his feet for a moment, then, “Don’t say more than that. This has to come from me. Try to keep her calm.”

Sucking at her lips, Charlotte nods and heads out.

James paces the room, looking as though he’s just been asked what he would like for his last meal.

Richard pushes a glass into his hands. “Calm down. We all know it wasn’t intentional.”

James knocks back half an inch of golden liquid, then thrusts the glass back at Richard. Legs akimbo, his back to the fire, he stares moodily into space, cracking his knuckles.

clean of any expression. He takes an armchair at the back of the

with Mitch, one arm hooked through her mother’s. Mitch pauses in the doorway, brow furrowing as she sees

why don’t you sit

“What? What is it? Is it about Larry? You’ve heard something?” Her voice snatches. “Has…

“Please, Mitch, sit down.”

her hand. “Sit by me on the

daughter. “So you know something I don’t? How do you get to find out

in, cupping her elbow with my palm, steering her to the seat. “Mitch, please sit down. James needs to talk

glares at me sidelong, but sits, sandwiched between me and Charlotte, who slips her hand

words slow,

indeed,

uploading James’ Trojan

a locator on

so that when

himself was hacked, and

that it is Juliana

never intended any of this, but we’ve heard nothing from him. Hickman can’t make

her complexion sallow. “Are you telling me that woman can trace exactly where Larry is? And he has no

But yes, that’s almost

hacked Larry? And it didn’t occur to you to tell any of us what you were doing?” Her tone would blunt the edge on a razor

James doesn’t reply.

a still flat stomach. “What exactly is

He swallows…

voice rises an octave. “Tell me, James. What

have his log-ins, passwords and his entry codes. She’ll

“Larry uses a top-line model. It’s capable of a lot. But he doesn’t have

stares at him, trembling, stroking her

Hickman, how long

James a look that would etch

often did he normally

Different times. Different pattern. Mainly…” He looks towards Mitch… “… it was to ask after Miss

the last thing

information regarding the organised crime

says James. “I’d have been happy to help

swings his gaze to

because of me. I’ll book a flight and get

cuts him short, but his voice has lost its edge. “Mr Alexanders, I know you mean well, but if Mr Klempner has encountered the kind of trouble that he can't handle…” He raises brows

say. “I can handle

sure you can, Mr Summerford.” Hickman sucks at his lips, rubs his nose. “Do

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