Chapter 230: Hunters, Part 13

Richard

James rubs an ear. “I can imagine how that looks to an outsider but…. It was just supposed to be a bit of fun. She was willing, and very well paid for it. And as it happened, she was doing it because, as you said, she wanted just what your Beth wanted, a shot at taking her own life forward….”

“Is that how Michael saw it?”

James stalls and I think he’s not going to reply but then, “Michael wanted nothing to do with it to begin with. I persuaded him to get involved because….”

Not just a bit of fun then….

“Because?”

“…. because, as he pointed out, with the way my tastes run, a young girl needed someone to look out for her. Michael was Charlotte’s insurance against my possible misjudgement…. Of taking things too far with her….”

Jesus….

…. What did it cost him to admit that…?

“It obviously worked. But it was still only for a week?”