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

head inclines. He regards me from under his

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

him in

savage. “I want it

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

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the people who

surprised you stopped at cutting his

Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding they were

the end of the hall:

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

He blistered

can imagine. Here…” He proffers the second 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 that

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

cocks his head. “You

*****

Klempner

see

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his Beth,

I pace the

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

air is damp with chill, so, 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

stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will

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

off her

the

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat bathe

buzz of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where

is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is 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 everything’s

“An incubator? Here?”

smiles. “Richard was 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, but unless it’s an emergency…” She