Masters And Lovers 1-4

“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.”

think it

Who can tell? A visit would

seeing her. I

the first visit, I'd like to talk to him

want me to

in us. You and I. In Charlotte’s relationship with us. It’s something to do with her mother's connection with Klempner and

The better angels

different views on the man. If Charlotte is going to visit him, I think you should weigh him

“Alright. I’ll come too.”

*****

as I ease my stiff leg into position, pushing the seat back so as to stretch

no signs of impatience. “Mind if I make a

“Sure. What?”

small bottle, pushing it into my hand. “Just in case, half an hour or so before we go in, take a couple of

the

glances down at my outstretched leg, seems about to speak, then swallows his words and looks back

“What?”

“Um, nothing.”

were going

get back tonight, would you like me to massage the leg? Loosen up the muscles a bit… Or… would that be

“I’d say it’s about an eight or nine out of