Hot Revenge Box Set 2

James

But downstairs in my playroom, Klempner is nowhere to be seen. Neither is he in the laundry, the boiler room or anywhere else.

Finchby has vanished too.

Michael regards the empty spot. Clicking a thumbnail against his teeth. “There’s only one way he could have gotten out.”

“Yes, there is. Michael, Klempner knew the tunnel existed. How long d'you think it would have taken him to find it if he was seriously looking?”

Hissing through his teeth, he marches across to the hidden exit at the far end of the chamber.

A click, the concealed door opens and he vanishes inside.

Re-emerging a minute later. “There’re drag marks where the floor turns to earth. You want to follow them?”

“I don’t think I do. I’m not sure I want to be responsible for whatever happens to Finchby. Besides, I have more immediate things to do.”

“Such as?”

“I have a hard drive to clean up before I deliver it to the police.”

Michael scratches at forty-eight-hour stubble. “I suspect Finchby may not be our problem anymore.”

“I suspect you’re right. Klempner wanted to question him some more. I doubt he’ll survive the experience.”

“And Klempner?”

“He'll be back.”

“You think?”

“Mitch.”

*****

The following evening, the front door opens and Klempner breezes in as if he had not a care in the world.

“James, Michael, sorry to leave you so precipitously. I'm sure you understand why.”

He’s changed, wearing fresh clothes which look new and fit him well; trousers, a roll-top sweater, jacket and shoes. And he carries a pair of bags, offering one to me.

“Yours. Thank you for the loan. I had them laundered of course.”

“Finchby?” I ask, cautiously.

“... Will trouble you no more.” His gaze is direct. “Or for that matter, anyone else.”

did you do

head inclines. He regards me from under his brows. “You

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told

in

want it known what will happen to anyone who

calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the people who seriously

stopped at

reading something like

of the hall: Richard, watching,

him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

would say. He blistered my ears before he

nose. “I can imagine. Here…” He proffers the second bag. “I should have given you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to Hickman. I thought that was appropriate. I’ve not

bag. “I assumed

“You know what

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course. Spend some time

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth, I

now, I pace

a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with

the window, fog swirls and inside, winter penetrates. The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the hearth is stacked with logs and there’s already

a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the

laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s voice,

off her new

the nurse

the fire,

of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be tracking

on the mantle, staring down into the flames and

The voice is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright?

cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they

“An incubator? Here?”

a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money at them until they agreed to set up here for the