Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 20

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

me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told me what I

in the

want

someone has

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of

stopped at cutting his

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

at the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

him. “And how is

blistered my

Here…” 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.

bag. “I

“You know what they say about

*****

 

Klempner

want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see

I pace

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

the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker

stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it

chatter drifts. I can

her

and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat

buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

be

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

is soft,

is Jenny alright?

on her sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but

“An incubator? Here?”

while he was 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

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