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

regards me from under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me

him in

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

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

This is Klempner…

some

you stopped

didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like

end of the

him. “And how is your friend?

He blistered my

but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most

at the bag. “I

Klempner cocks his head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of course. Spend

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth,

now, I

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

the window, fog swirls and inside, winter penetrates. The air 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

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

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

off her

too and occasionally the nurse

back to the fire, letting the heat bathe

the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames

voice is soft,

“Mitch, is Jenny alright?

a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara

“An incubator? Here?”

up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless