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

regards me from under his brows. “You

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what I

in the

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

has a quarrel with me, they can discuss

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of the people

surprised you stopped at cutting

Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding

at the end of the

regards him. “And how

say. He blistered my

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 recovered Baxter’s half, I’m

bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

cocks his head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

upstairs. They want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

now, I pace the

Close by, a cardboard box

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

logs over

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

off her new

occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp, hat

fire, letting the

of activity, the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

should be tracking

both hands on the mantle, staring down into the

is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

she’s 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

“An incubator? Here?”

If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic