Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 4

“You look thoughtful.”

Michael twists the wine glass between his fingers, not drinking, simply turning it around and around. “Mmmm. Yes.”

“Is there any more of that wine?”

He reaches to a nearby shelf, takes a bottle, passes it across to me. As I pour myself a glass, “Problem? Something you want to share?”

“I think we should go visit Klempner.”

I hover in mid-pour, meeting his eyes then, without saying anything, finish pouring. Seating myself in the armchair opposite, “Why would you want to go see Klempner?”

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?” he muses.

“Not that I disagree with that, but the man’s a psychopath.”

“Yes, but he's a complicated psychopath and he's not stupid.”

“Is that the only reason you want to see him?”

He swipes a hand through his hair, then scratches at his nose before, finally, gulping at his wine. I wait.

“Well, in the first place,” he begins, “Klempner offered a kind of deal. He doesn't make any trouble for Charlotte on condition that she visits him.”

“And you think it was a genuine offer?”

“No. But... Who can tell? A visit would at least show good faith.”

“I’m not comfortable with this, with him seeing her. I know you spoke with the man, but I didn’t and….”

“I know and that’s why, for the first visit, I'd like to talk to him without Charlotte, but with you.”

“Me? You want me to come? Why?”

“Because Klempner was interested in us. You and I. In Charlotte’s relationship with us. It’s something to do with her mother's connection with Klempner and Conners. And….” He shrugs. Sighs… “… you’re naturally more suspicious than I am. Less likely to see the er….”

“…. The better angels of his nature?”

He chuckles, flashing brows at me. “Quite. We’ll have two different views on the man. If Charlotte is going to visit him, I think you should weigh him up too. First.”

“Alright. I’ll come too.”

*****

Michael takes the driver’s seat and fires up the engine. I move more slowly as I ease my stiff leg into position, pushing the seat back so as to stretch out as far as I can.