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

He regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me

him in the

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

“If someone has a

This is Klempner…

to some of

stopped at cutting

air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like

of the

how is your

say. He blistered

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 thought

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

cocks his head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I pace the

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

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

thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework and then the

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

her

and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp, hat

to the fire, letting

the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be

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

The voice is soft, mellow…

is Jenny

cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve

“An incubator? Here?”

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