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.”

you do

under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told me

him in

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

his smile sunny. “If someone has

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some

stopped

mellows again. Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading

end of the hall:

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

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.

at the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

“You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

see

now, I pace

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

up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches

of minutes’ effort produces a bright flame and I 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

her

and occasionally the nurse trots past the door,

fire, letting the

of activity, the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

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

is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? 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 he just kept shoving money