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.”

did you do

inclines. He regards me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told me what I

in

I want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move

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

This is Klempner…

to some

surprised you stopped at

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

end of the hall:

him. “And how is

blistered

we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money.

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

his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny of course. Spend some

And the baby…

Of course…

see his

I pace the

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

the fire.

then thicker logs over it, building it high. A

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

her

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots

the fire, letting

buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be

over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now, wood

voice is

is Jenny alright?

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 while they make sure everything’s

“An incubator? Here?”

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 set up here for the