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

“Yes.”

he’d told me

in

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

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

This is Klempner…

done to some of the people who seriously upset

stopped at cutting his

want Jenny or Mitch reading

of the hall:

“And how is

blistered my

you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think

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

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

see his Beth, I

now, I pace

corner, a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and paper

is damp with chill, so, for 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

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

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s voice,

off her new

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

to the fire, letting the

the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

be tracking

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

The voice is soft,

Jenny alright?

her sleep and she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put

“An incubator? Here?”

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