Chapter 88: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 22, Klempner's Spy

JAMES

Klempner's spy...

Who is it?

One uncommonly nasty thought haunts me....

Could it be Ben?

What has Michael told him?

Certainly, Ben dislikes me....

And now Charlotte too....

But surely, he wouldn't betray Michael?

?

?

How would Ben know Klempner in the first place?

?

?

What should I do?

What would Michael do? How would he react?

Perhaps I should talk to him?

*****

He doesn't react well.

"You're suggesting my own brother might betray Charlotte to Klempner? What the fuck are you thinking James? Just because we've had a spat...."

"A spat? You call that a spat?" Heat is rising over my face and I take a moment to get myself back under control. "What have you told Ben?"

He holds up hands, shaking his head. "Nothing about Klempner or Blessingmoors." He moves in close. Michael isn't so tall as I am, but he is much more heavily built and I have no wish to go the way of the chicken-shed.