They Thought I Was Out Cold, So I Let All Four Keep Going novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The Coward's Cheque

"Explain that," I said. "Right now."

Seidl spread his hands, and the signet ring caught the light.

"The insurers will not renew a lodge where a guide was killed on its own slope," he said. "In April this house has no cover. By May, the bank calls the loan."

"That's business," Tobias said. "It's not an answer."

"It is the only answer a sensible person needs. Someone profited from your brother's bad luck, Fräulein. I would simply like it to be me."

Nobody spoke.

My brother had died on that slope, and he talked about it in terms of interest rates.

"Get out of my kitchen," I said.

"The plow reaches the village tomorrow," Seidl said, and rose with great calm. "I'm afraid I'll need a bed tonight."

"We have an east wing," Stefan said stiffly. "I'll show you."

I looked at Tobias.

He gave a single nod.

I understood him without a word.

If we put Seidl out in the snow, he would call the bank from the village by noon.

If we kept him close, we kept him where we could see him.

When the man had gone upstairs with his case, I put on my coat and went out onto the terrace.

The air was bitter, and the whole valley lay white and silent under a hard blue sky.

My brother had stood here every morning with his coffee.

I heard the door behind me.

I did not turn around.

"I wanted to say something," Tobias said.

← Chapter 10 · All chapters · Chapter 12 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend