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

me from under his brows. “You

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

him in

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

has a quarrel

This is Klempner…

to some of the people who seriously

surprised you stopped at

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

of the hall:

him. “And how

I would say. He blistered my ears before

“I can imagine. Here…” 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. I think most of it’s there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to Hickman. I thought

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

“You know

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

now, I

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

for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker

thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework and then the

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

off her

and occasionally the nurse trots past the door,

stand, back to the fire, letting

of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where

is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just

“An incubator? Here?”

facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…”