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

head inclines. He regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

in the

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 it

This is Klempner…

to some of the people who seriously upset

stopped

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

end of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how is

He blistered my ears

of the money. I

the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

“You know what they

*****

Klempner

see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

To see

I pace the

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

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 already a good bed of

flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it

sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s

off her

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

back to the fire,

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be tracking

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

is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

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

“An incubator? Here?”

“Richard was busy 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