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

regards me from under his

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me

in the

found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen

his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with me,

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some of the

surprised you stopped at cutting

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

the end of the hall: Richard,

how is

He blistered my ears before

of the money. I think most of it’s there,

stares at the bag. “I

his head. “You

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny of course.

And the baby…

Of course…

see

I pace the

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

chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I 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 minutes’ effort produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will

laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

off her

too and occasionally the

the fire, letting the heat

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

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

voice is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working

“An incubator? Here?”

be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She