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

He regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

he’d told me

in the

of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known

has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the people

stopped at cutting his

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

the end of the hall:

“And how is your friend?

would say. He blistered my ears before he settled

scratches his nose. “I can imagine. Here…” He proffers the second bag. “I should have given you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think

the bag. “I assumed I’d never see

“You know

*****

Klempner

want to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth, I

now, I pace

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

I make up the fire. It’s not difficult.

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

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her new

occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp,

the fire, letting the heat

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be tracking

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

The voice is

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…”