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

under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me

in the

want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want

someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

some of

stopped at cutting

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

of the

him. “And how

I would say. He blistered my

“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 most of it’s there, minus a…

bag. “I assumed I’d never

cocks his head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

now, I pace the

tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows

fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket

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 the

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

off her new

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

the fire, letting the heat

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

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be

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

voice is soft, mellow…

is Jenny alright? And

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

“An incubator? Here?”

needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving money