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

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

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told me

him in

I want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what

smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they can discuss it with

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the people

stopped at

Jenny or Mitch reading something

the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my ears

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 Hickman. I thought

bag. “I assumed I’d

cocks his head. “You know

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth,

I pace the

one corner, a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard

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 and kindling; the hearth is stacked with logs and there’s already a good bed of ashes, albeit

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

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

her new

too and occasionally the nurse trots past the

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat

the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be tracking

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

is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny

up on her sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve

“An incubator? Here?”

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 until they agreed