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

regards me from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

throat. After he’d

him in the

want it known what will happen to anyone who makes any move

turns calmer again, his smile sunny. “If someone has a quarrel with

This is Klempner…

what he’s done to some of the

you stopped at

“I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something

end of the hall: Richard,

“And how is

say. He blistered my ears before

Here…” He proffers the second bag. “I should have given you this before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of

“I assumed I’d never

“You know what

*****

Klempner

see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

I pace

by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and

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 ashes,

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

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I

off her

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past

to the fire, letting

the buzz of excitement

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play Happy

should be tracking

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

voice is

is Jenny alright?

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

“An incubator? Here?”

everyone could 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 to set up here