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

“Yes.”

he’d told me what I

in the

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

“If someone has a

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some

you stopped

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

the end of

regards him. “And how is your

blistered

half of the

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

his head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his

now, I pace

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

else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not

effort produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn

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

her new

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

to the fire, letting the heat bathe

fizz of activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

should be

the mantle, staring down into the flames and where

is soft,

is Jenny alright?

she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working

“An incubator? Here?”

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

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255