Chapter 78: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 12, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Klempner

"What do you have for me, Frank? Bech tells me you're very pleased with yourself."

He displays teeth like a magician brandishing a hat. "Bech was right. In fact, I have what I think will be very good news for you."

"Yes?"

Conners rolls out a ground plan, jabbing a forefinger at a small area marked out in red. "You own now almost all the area surrounding Blessingmoors. But, that plot to the west side.... you know the one.... with the old witch that kept complaining about the noise? It seems she's been in a road accident; hit and run. She's in hospital. Her family have put the place up for sale."

"She's alive?" I glance at Bech who, almost imperceptibly, widens his eyes but shrugs.

"Yeah," Conners is off-hand. ".... but they say she won't be coming home again. If she lives, she'll be in a home. You don't have to worry. If you want it, the property's as good as yours." He straightens up. "You want me to go ahead? I took the liberty of putting in a statement of interest to make s