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

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

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d

him in

want

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

This is Klempner…

to some

you stopped at

Jenny or Mitch reading something like that in the

the end of the hall: Richard,

“And how is your friend?

would say. He blistered my ears before he

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

at the bag. “I assumed I’d never

head. “You

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see

now, I

a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard

to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and kindling; the hearth is

produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good

and chatter drifts. I

her new

tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the

the fire, letting the

fizz of activity, the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

be

on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where

The voice is

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright?

fine. 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

“An incubator? Here?”

they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255