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.”

did you do

inclines. He regards me from under his brows. “You really want to

“Yes.”

he’d

him in the

found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what

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

This is Klempner…

I know what he’s done to some

surprised you stopped

or Mitch reading

of the hall: Richard, watching,

regards him. “And how is your friend? Commissioner

blistered my ears before he

were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to Hickman. I thought that was

at the bag. “I assumed

his head. “You know what

*****

Klempner

and Michael head upstairs. They want to see Jenny of

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his

I pace the

Close by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and

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

thicker logs over it, building it high. A good burn will

laughter and chatter drifts. I can

off her new

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the

to the fire, letting the

of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play

should be tracking

leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down into the flames

The voice is soft, mellow…

“Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

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

“An incubator? Here?”

half a medical facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I