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 his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told

him in

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

calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the people

stopped

want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the

of the hall: Richard,

him. “And how

would say. He blistered my ears

given you this before, but we 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 assumed I’d

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

 

Klempner

and Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see

I pace

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

up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket

a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

her new

and occasionally the nurse

back to the fire, letting the heat

of activity, the buzz of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

should be tracking

staring down into the flames and where now, wood begins

The voice is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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

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