Chapter 284: Family, Part 15

James

She stirs her food around her plate, shoving it from one side to the other. None of it goes into her mouth.

When Charlotte doesn't knock back her food like it's going out of fashion, there's something wrong.

Then I see Michael watching her too. His eyes meet mine and his head tilts.

"Come on, spit it out," he says.

She startles, then drops her face, looking guilty.

"We can both see something's bothering you," I comment. "Get it over with and tell us."

"I want to go and see Klempner."

Michael jerks his head back and our eyes meet again.

I lean forward, chin and face propped against my fingers. Michael raises warding fingers to me, then leans back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head. "Go on. We're listening."

There is tension in her voice....

Expecting trouble....?

"He can tell me about my mother. He can help me find her."

"And.... you think he's likely to do that?" His voice is neutral. His eyes flat.

"What's to lose?" she says. "If he won't hel