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

He regards me from under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told

in the

His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any

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

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the people who seriously

stopped at cutting his

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

at the end of

“And how

blistered my ears before he settled

his nose. “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,

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

Klempner cocks his head. “You know

*****

Klempner

want to see Jenny of course. Spend some time

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth, I

I

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

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 good bed of ashes,

bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

her new

down too and occasionally the

fire, letting the heat

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames

is soft,

is Jenny alright? And

having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara

“An incubator? Here?”

was busy 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 he just kept shoving money at them until they agreed to