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.”

did you do

me from under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told me what I

him in

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

again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they can discuss it

This is Klempner…

know what he’s done to some of the people

surprised you stopped

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

of the hall: Richard,

“And how is your friend?

I would say. He blistered my ears before he

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 most of it’s there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to Hickman. I thought that

at the bag. “I assumed

head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

see

I pace the

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

The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the hearth is stacked with logs and there’s already a good bed of ashes, albeit cold

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

laughter and chatter drifts.

off her new

too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp,

the fire, letting

buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

should be tracking

over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring

voice is

Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? Here?”

he was here. There’s half a medical facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money at them until they