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

inclines. He regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

he’d

him in

turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who

sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they can discuss

This is Klempner…

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

you stopped at cutting his

mellows again. Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading

end of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how

I would say. He blistered my ears before

“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

the bag. “I assumed I’d

head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

want to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

I pace

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

damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains

couple of minutes’ effort produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs

and chatter drifts.

her

the nurse trots

fire, letting the heat bathe

buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

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

is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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