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.”

you do with

head inclines. He regards me from under

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d

him in

savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move against my

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

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of the people

you stopped at cutting his

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

end of

regards him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

I would say. He blistered my ears before he

the second bag. “I should have 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

the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

head. “You

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth, I

I pace the

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

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

stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn

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

her

occasionally the nurse trots past the

to the fire, letting the heat

fizz of activity, the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be tracking

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

voice is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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