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

under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told me what

him in

“I want it known what will happen

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

This is Klempner…

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

stopped at cutting his

air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in

end of the hall: Richard,

him. “And how is your

say. He blistered my ears

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

“I assumed

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

I pace

by,

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

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

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

off her

too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp,

the fire, letting the heat bathe

of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be

over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring

The voice is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright?

She’s caught up on her sleep 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 it

“An incubator? Here?”

they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but