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

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

him in the

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

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

This is Klempner…

to some of the

stopped at

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

of the hall: Richard,

how is your

blistered my ears

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 recovered Baxter’s

the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his

now, I

one corner, a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a

to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the hearth is

minutes’ effort produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A

chatter drifts. I can pick out

her

much deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse

to the fire, letting the heat bathe

of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be tracking

turn to stand over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into

The voice is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator,

“An incubator? Here?”

half a medical 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