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 with

regards me from under his

“Yes.”

he’d

him in the

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

his smile sunny. “If someone has

This is Klempner…

to some of the

you stopped

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding they were somehow

at the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how

blistered my ears before

you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there,

bag. “I

“You know what

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny of course. Spend some

And the baby…

Of course…

see his

now, I

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

fire. It’s not

logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the

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

off her

the nurse

the fire, letting the heat bathe

activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

the mantle, staring down into

The voice is soft, mellow…

Jenny

herself up properly now. They’ve put

“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

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