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

under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

he’d told

in

His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any

“If someone has a quarrel with me, they can discuss

This is Klempner…

done to some of the people

stopped at

Mitch reading something like that in the papers and

of

him. “And how is your friend?

would say. He blistered my ears before he settled

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 half, I’m

“I assumed I’d

cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course. Spend some time

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his

I

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

with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and

produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

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

off her

down too and occasionally the nurse

to the fire, letting the

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

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

is soft,

Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? Here?”

a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he