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

“Yes.”

slit his throat. After he’d

in

want what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known what will happen to anyone who makes

his smile sunny. “If someone has a

This is Klempner…

to some of the people who

stopped at cutting his

again. Heaves air. “I didn't want Jenny or Mitch reading something like that

of the hall:

how

He blistered my ears before he settled

before, but we were rather busy. It’s Finchby’s half of the money. I think most of it’s

at the bag. “I assumed I’d never see that

head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

vanished too. To see

now, I

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

anything else to do, I make up the fire. It’s not difficult. A wicker basket contains paper, matches and

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

upstairs, the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can

off her new

and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform crisp,

fire,

of activity, the buzz of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

them play

be

the mantle, staring down into the flames and

The voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright?

now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator,

“An incubator? Here?”

was here. There’s half a medical facility up there. If they needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic