Chapter 35: Richie - Klempner

For a moment I'm confused. The new label still sits uneasily on my shoulders. Then I remember... Lars Waterman... The name I was born with.

But my confusion must have shown. Haswell inclines his head. "Still finding it odd with the change of name?"

I shrug. "What's in a name? Anyone that knows who I am isn't going to be thrown by it. Anyone who doesn't simply sees Larry Waterman, respectable businessman."

"Respectable?" Haswell grimaces, a caustic expression that sets my teeth on edge.

"Respectable enough..." He snorts, then smiles... "... Don't you find it confusing when your wife calls you Master?" Haswell's smile withers. "... You think I haven't heard it? When she thinks you're in private. Jenny's the same. She tries to call him James if other people are around, but she doesn't always remember. For that matter, she's Jenny to me and Mitch, but Charlotte to everyone else who knows her. Mitch too. She went through a good part of her life known as Shelley."