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

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

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told

in

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

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

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some

surprised you stopped at

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

the end of the

regards him. “And how is your friend?

I would say. He blistered my ears before he

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…

at the bag. “I assumed I’d

his head. “You know

*****

Klempner

and Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see

now, I

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

the window, fog swirls and inside, winter penetrates. The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches

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

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

off her new

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the

to the fire, letting

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be tracking

leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood begins to drop

The voice is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

on her sleep and 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 as

“An incubator? Here?”

whisked away to a clinic