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

me from under his brows. “You really

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d

in the

“I want

again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of the people who seriously upset

stopped at cutting

Jenny or Mitch reading something like

end of the hall: Richard,

“And how

He blistered my

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

bag. “I assumed

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

 

Klempner

and Michael head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see

now, I pace

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

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

I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it,

and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her

the nurse trots past the door, uniform

the fire, letting the heat bathe

the buzz of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be tracking

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

is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while

“An incubator? Here?”

to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think

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