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 do

under his

“Yes.”

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

in

turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move against my

his smile sunny. “If someone has a

This is Klempner…

done to some of

stopped at cutting

“I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding they were

end of the hall: Richard, watching,

him. “And how is

I would say. He blistered my

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 was appropriate.

stares at the bag. “I assumed I’d never

cocks his head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I

tree stands, half-decorated. Close by,

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

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

laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

off her

occasionally the nurse

stand, back to the fire, letting the heat bathe

of activity, the buzz of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be tracking

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

The voice is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but

“An incubator? Here?”

away to a clinic or hospital,