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

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

“Yes.”

After he’d told me what

him in

His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move against

someone has a quarrel with me, they can

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of the

you stopped at

Mitch reading

of

“And how

say. He blistered my ears before he settled

half of the money. I think most

the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

cocks his head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

to see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his Beth,

I

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

winter penetrates. The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire.

logs over it, building it high.

of laughter and chatter drifts.

her

tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp,

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat bathe

buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

should be tracking

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

The voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make

“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 shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money at them until they agreed to set up here for