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

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

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me

him in the

him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it

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

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the

stopped

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

of the hall: Richard,

him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my ears

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 that was appropriate. I’ve not

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

head. “You know

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his

now, I pace

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

fog swirls and inside, winter penetrates. 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

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

off her

and occasionally the nurse

stand, back to the fire,

buzz of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be tracking

hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now,

is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money at them until