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

from under

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

him in

turns savage. “I want it known what

has a quarrel with me, they

This is Klempner…

he’s done to some of the

surprised you stopped

reading something like that in the papers and deciding

of the hall: Richard, watching,

how is

blistered my ears

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 appropriate. I’ve not recovered Baxter’s half, I’m afraid,

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

head. “You know what they say about

*****

Klempner

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

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth, I

now, I

a Christmas tree stands, half-decorated. Close by, a cardboard box overflows with

winter penetrates. The air is damp with chill, so, for lack of anything else to do, I make up the fire.

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

chatter drifts. I can

off her

too and occasionally the nurse trots past the door, uniform

stand, back to the fire, letting the

the buzz of

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be tracking

leaning with both hands on the mantle, staring down

voice is soft, mellow…

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny

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

“An incubator? Here?”

needed to, everyone could be whisked away to a clinic or hospital, but unless it’s an emergency…” She shrugs. “I think he just kept