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

under his brows.

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what I

in the

want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move

“If someone has a quarrel with me, they

This is Klempner…

to some of

stopped at cutting his

Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and

at the end of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

He blistered my ears before he settled

of the money. I think most

bag. “I assumed I’d never

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

now, I pace the

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

anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the

bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

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

off her

down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

stand, back to the fire, letting the

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be

leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood begins to drop

is soft,

Jenny alright? And

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 while they make sure

“An incubator? Here?”

half a medical facility 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 they agreed to