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. “You really want to

“Yes.”

he’d told me what

in

him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move

his smile sunny. “If someone has

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some of

you stopped at

Mitch reading something like that in

at the end of

regards him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

He blistered my ears before he

“I should have given you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there,

at the bag. “I assumed I’d

cocks his head. “You

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see his

now, I

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

I make up the fire. It’s not difficult.

and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts.

her new

tones rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots

stand, back to the fire,

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

be tracking

hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames and where now,

The voice is

“Mitch, is Jenny alright?

she’s having a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s just a precaution while they make sure everything’s working

“An incubator? Here?”

away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept shoving