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

head inclines. He regards me from under his brows. “You

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told me what

in the

I want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it

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

This is Klempner…

done to some of the people who

you stopped at

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

the end of

how is your friend?

I would say. He blistered

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.

the bag. “I

cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

I

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

The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire.

stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework and then

laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s voice, excited and

off her new

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

back to the fire,

the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be

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

voice is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while

“An incubator? Here?”

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 kept shoving money at