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

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

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told me what

in the

want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want

turns calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they can

This is Klempner…

done to some of the

surprised you stopped at cutting his

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

at the end of the

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

I would say. He blistered my ears before he settled

rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there, minus a…

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

his head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his

now, I pace the

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

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

minutes’ effort produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it

drifts. I can

off her

and occasionally the

the fire, letting

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

be

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

The voice is

Jenny

They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working as it

“An incubator? Here?”

to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I