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 with

from under his brows. “You really want

“Yes.”

he’d told me what

him in

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

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

This is Klempner…

some of the people who

you stopped at cutting

“I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading

end of the hall:

“And how is your

would say. He blistered my ears before he settled

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, minus a…

bag. “I assumed I’d

cocks his head. “You know what they say

*****

Klempner

Michael head upstairs. They want to see

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see his Beth,

now, I pace

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

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 ashes, albeit

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

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

her

rumble down too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door,

the fire, letting the

activity, the buzz of excitement fades.

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be

the mantle, staring down into the flames

The voice is

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

a bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve

“An incubator? Here?”

everyone could be whisked away to a clinic