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 do

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

“Yes.”

After he’d told me what

him in the

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

calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the

you stopped at

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

at the end of the hall:

how is your

say. He blistered

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. I thought that was appropriate. I’ve not

bag. “I assumed I’d never

“You know what they

*****

Klempner

upstairs. They want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I

half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows

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

I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework and then the

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I

off her new

and occasionally the

stand, back to the fire, letting the

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be

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

voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

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

“An incubator? Here?”

to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but