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 with

regards me from under his

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d told

him in the

His tone turns savage. “I want

turns calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me, they

This is Klempner…

to some of the people who seriously

surprised you stopped at cutting

Mitch reading something like that in the papers and deciding they

at the end of

him. “And how is your friend?

would say. He blistered

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 assumed

cocks his head. “You know

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of course. Spend

And the baby…

Of course…

see

I pace

stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and

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

flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A

chatter drifts. I can

off her

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse

to the fire, letting the heat bathe

buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be tracking

fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the

voice is

Jenny alright?

cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an

“An incubator? Here?”

needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an