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 with

me from under his brows. “You really

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told me what

him in

His tone turns savage. “I want it known what

someone has

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some

you stopped at cutting his

reading something like that in the

at the end of the hall:

how is your friend? Commissioner

say. He blistered

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

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d

head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course. Spend some

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth,

I

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

make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches

and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high.

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

her

tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the

the fire, letting the heat bathe

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be

leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down

is soft, mellow…

Jenny alright?

She’s caught up on her sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in

“An incubator? Here?”

medical facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but

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