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 with

regards me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

After he’d told

in the

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

smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me,

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some

surprised you stopped at cutting

Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like

end of the hall: Richard,

regards him. “And how is

He blistered my

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

bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

cocks his head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth, I

I pace

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

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

then thicker logs over it, building it high.

laughter and chatter drifts. I can

her new

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp, hat

the fire,

fizz of activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood begins to

voice is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working as it

“An incubator? Here?”

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