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

head inclines. He regards me from under his brows.

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me

in the

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

has a quarrel

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some of the people who

stopped at

reading

end of

him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my

It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to

“I assumed I’d never see that

his head. “You

*****

Klempner

upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see

I

by, a cardboard box overflows with

the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker

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

of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

off her new

much deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the

stand, back to the fire,

the buzz of excitement fades. And depression settles over

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

should be

to stand over the fire, leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and

The voice is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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

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