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

He regards me from under

“Yes.”

After he’d told me what

him in

His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will

turns calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some of

you stopped at

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

the end of the hall: Richard,

“And how is your

would say. He blistered my ears before he settled

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.

at the bag. “I assumed I’d never see

cocks his head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his Beth, I

now, I pace

Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

winter penetrates. The air is damp 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 kindling; the hearth is stacked with logs and there’s already a

stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

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

her

the nurse

fire, letting the heat

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be

to stand over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood begins to

voice is soft, mellow…

Jenny alright? And the

up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator,

“An incubator? Here?”

while he was here. There’s 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