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.”

did you do

from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d

in the

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

sunny. “If someone has

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the people who seriously

surprised you stopped at cutting

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding

of the hall: Richard,

how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my ears before he

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 recovered Baxter’s half, I’m

at the bag. “I assumed I’d

“You know what they say

*****

 

Klempner

want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I pace

one corner, a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling;

thicker logs over it, building it high.

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

off her new

down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the

back to the fire, letting the

fizz of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

mantle, staring down into

voice is soft, mellow…

Jenny

properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just

“An incubator? Here?”

whisked away to a clinic

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