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

from under his brows. “You

“Yes.”

his throat. After he’d told me what

in

what’s left of him found.” His tone turns savage. “I want it known

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

This is Klempner…

done to some

you stopped at

Mitch reading something like that

of the hall: Richard,

how

would say. 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 there, minus a… um… finder’s fee to Hickman. I thought that was appropriate. I’ve not

stares at the bag. “I assumed

head. “You know what they

*****

Klempner

They want to see Jenny

And the baby…

Of course…

To see his Beth, I

I pace the

by, a cardboard box overflows with tinsel and

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

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

the sound of laughter and chatter drifts. I can pick out

her

deeper tones rumble down too and occasionally the

back to the fire, letting the heat bathe

of excitement fades. And

Now what?

Perhaps I should go?

play Happy

be

the mantle, staring down into the flames and

The voice is soft,

turn. “Mitch, is Jenny alright? And the

bath, cleaning herself up properly now. They’ve put Cara in an incubator, but it’s

“An incubator? Here?”

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