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

from under his brows.

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

him in

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

smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

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

you stopped

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that

end of the hall:

how is

blistered

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

“You know what they say

*****

Klempner

see

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I

a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

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

stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her new

occasionally the

fire, letting the heat bathe

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be

staring down

voice is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

fine. She’s caught up 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 a precaution

“An incubator? Here?”

busy while 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,