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.”

you do

me from under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what I

him in

him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will

someone has a quarrel with me, they can discuss it with

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the people who seriously

surprised you stopped at cutting

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers

at the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

“And how is your friend?

say. He blistered

scratches his 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.

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

cocks his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course. Spend

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth,

now, I

stands, half-decorated. Close by,

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

thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat

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

her new

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

the fire, letting

of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

should be tracking

mantle, staring down into the

is

Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? Here?”

facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money at them until they