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 do

head inclines. He regards me from under his brows. “You really

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

in

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

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

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of

stopped at

Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the papers

the end of the hall:

“And how is your friend? Commissioner

say. He blistered my ears before

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.

the bag. “I

head. “You know

*****

Klempner

to see Jenny of course. Spend some time with

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth, I

I pace

Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and

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

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

off her

much deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform

to the fire, letting the

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

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

The voice is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator,

“An incubator? Here?”

while he was here. There’s half a medical facility up there. If they 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 at them until they agreed to