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 with

me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

in the

savage. “I want it known what

his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

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

surprised you stopped at cutting his

reading something like

at the end of the hall:

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

He blistered

“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. I’ve not recovered Baxter’s

the bag. “I assumed I’d

“You

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see

now, I pace

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

inside, 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 contains paper, matches

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

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

her

occasionally the

the fire,

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be tracking

on the mantle, staring down

voice is soft,

is Jenny

now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working as

“An incubator? Here?”

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