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 with

me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d

him in the

tone turns savage. “I want it known what will

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

This is Klempner…

some of the people who

stopped at cutting his

want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding they were somehow

end of the

how

He blistered my ears

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 recovered Baxter’s

at the bag. “I assumed

cocks his head. “You

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his

now, I pace the

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

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

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

laughter and chatter drifts. I

her

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp, hat

back to the fire, letting the heat

fizz of activity, the buzz of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be tracking

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

voice is soft,

is Jenny

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

“An incubator? Here?”

be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think