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 with

inclines. He regards me from under

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

him in the

what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move

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

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some

you stopped at cutting

“I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that

of the hall:

how is your friend? Commissioner

would say. He blistered my ears before

He proffers the second bag. “I should have given you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of

“I assumed I’d never

“You know

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth, I

I pace

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

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 good bed of ashes, albeit

and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it

of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick

off her new

much deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the

stand, back to the fire, letting

buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

should be

hands on the mantle, staring down into

The voice is soft,

is Jenny

on her sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put

“An incubator? Here?”

clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an