Hot Revenge Box Set 2

Chapter 20

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

under

“Yes.”

After he’d told

in

found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what

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

This is Klempner…

done to some of the people who

you stopped at cutting

reading something like that in the papers and deciding they

at the end of

how is

say. He blistered my ears before he

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 was appropriate. I’ve not

at the bag. “I assumed I’d never see

his head. “You know

*****

 

Klempner

to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

now, I pace the

by, a cardboard box

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

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

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

off her new

too and occasionally the

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat

fizz of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be

hands on the mantle, staring down into the

voice is soft,

is Jenny alright? And the

she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in

“An incubator? Here?”

up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs.

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