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 do with

regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told

in

want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any

“If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

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

you stopped at cutting his

want Jenny or Mitch reading something like

the end of

how

say. He blistered my ears before he settled

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

stares at the bag. “I assumed

Klempner cocks his head. “You

*****

 

Klempner

and Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth,

now, I

by, a

winter penetrates. 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

thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework

of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her new

the nurse trots past the door, uniform

the fire, letting the heat bathe

activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

should be tracking

hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where

is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

a clinic

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