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 do

under

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d told me

in

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

has a quarrel with me,

This is Klempner…

some of

stopped at cutting

reading something like that in the papers

end of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how is your friend?

I would say. He blistered my ears before he

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

“I assumed I’d

“You know what

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

too. To see

now, I

by, a cardboard box overflows

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 is stacked with logs and there’s already a good

produces a bright flame and I stack thinnish stove-lengths then thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will heat the stonework and

and chatter drifts. I can pick out Jenny’s voice, excited and

off her new

occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform

the fire, letting the heat bathe

activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And depression

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

be tracking

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

voice is soft, mellow…

Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? Here?”

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