He was growing soft. There was no other explanation for why he felt even a modicum of concern about Charnley. He played the conversation with Kendrick over and over in his mind and kept coming back to the fact that Charnley had asked him for help. He’d fancied it up with ridiculous threats and offers, of course, but the reality of it was, Charnley needed help. His help. He’d fantasised about having Charnley in his debt so many times. Thought about having the upper hand, lording it over him.
But in reality, now that moment had arrived, and Charnley needed him, the feeling of concern that he felt rather than satisfaction was oddly disturbing. He still didn’t understand Charnley’s attempts to establish a connection between them, and certainly didn’t trust it, but it kept him wondering. It al
