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

from under his brows. “You really

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me what

in the

found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it

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

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some of the people who seriously

surprised you stopped

Jenny or Mitch reading something like

of

“And how

I would say. He blistered

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 half, I’m afraid,

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

cocks his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his

I pace the

half-decorated. Close by,

the fire. It’s not

effort produces a 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

of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s

off her new

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door,

the fire, letting the heat

activity, the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be

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

The voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And

and she’s 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 as

“An incubator? Here?”

a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money