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

me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

him in the

him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known

sunny. “If someone has a quarrel

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of

surprised you stopped at cutting his

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something

at the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my ears before

“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

stares at the bag. “I assumed

his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth, I

now, I pace

Close by, a cardboard box overflows with

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

bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good

sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her new

the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp, hat

stand, back to the fire, letting the

buzz of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood

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

“An incubator? Here?”

whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s