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 with

from under his

“Yes.”

he’d

him in

“I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any

has a quarrel with me, they can discuss

This is Klempner…

some of the people who

surprised you stopped

Mitch reading something like that in

the end of the

how is your friend?

blistered my

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

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

head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

to see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his Beth, I

I pace the

tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the hearth is stacked with logs

logs over it, building it

drifts. I can pick

off her

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse

the fire, letting the

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be tracking

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

voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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 set