“What’s to talk about?” he says sullenly. “I was trying to get you out of this.”
“I don’t want to ‘get out’ of this,” says Michael. “You have no idea how long it took me to get into it. And it’s not your place to interfere in my life. Now, are you going to leave, and give your word not to threaten Charlotte again? Or do I let James have the police take you away?”
“I’ll go,” says Ben. But he looks down and won’t meet his brother’s eye.
“And I have your word that you won’t bother Charlotte again?” insists Michael, then he glances at me, “Or for that matter, Kirstie either.”
Ben doesn’t speak, but simply nods.” And,” continues Michael, “if I have it right, you still have Kirstie’s bag with her house keys and money in it. Is that right, Kirstie?”
I nod, not keen to be pulled back into the
