Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Klempner

My resources: The clothes I’m wearing. A notebook and the stub of a pencil: A book on herbal toxins. A small supply of sweet water. An infinite supply, for any practical purpose, of foul water, slime and garbage. And of course, one small potato.

I’d like to give in to despair. There’s something alluring about despair, something seductive. Perhaps I should simply not play Juliana’s game; let her kill me.

But if I’m dead…

Mitch…

My beautiful green-eyed Mitch.

So alive. So energetic.

So full of courage.

So vital.

Vitale

…

Stay alive...

So, eat the fucking potato…

I prise it out from its bed of sludge and slime with a slight sucking sound. It’s small; perhaps half the size of my fist. On the other hand, adhered muck aside, it seems sound; firm, mid-brown, no sprouts or green parts. I have a vague idea that I’ve read that green potatoes are unsafe to eat.

Hauling myself up from my concrete seat, lifting my chain in one hand, with the other, I hold my meal under the water inlet, thumbing away the dirt under the clean water.

Time to live…

And I bite in.

*****

With no warning, the light blinks on and without meaning to, I groan, hiding my eyes behind my hands.

Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry.

over her shoulders, with deep red lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline; designed to show off a figure

eyes, I don’t reply and she awards me a polite little smile, then sits, on her fold-up chair, hands neatly folded. She could be in school, waiting for a favourite teacher to begin the lesson. Or perhaps in the audience at some small town hall, for

says brightly. “What are we going to

while we talk. She watches me, a touch of wariness in her eyes. Momentarily, her gaze drops to her painted line, but she’s well to one side

fold my arms, lean

to

choice topics.” I pace a

right.” She gives me a bright little smile. “And…” She aims a long painted

Fake…

Extensions?

that’s part of it, Larry. You must look after yourself. Exercise. You won’t do well down

Two days?

Is there anything

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

you something to turn into a weapon or a tool? Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting your little bitch daughter

difficult to get a

do with your time? Lick it off the wall if you have to. I’m not giving you

by your concern for my

grouchy, Larry. I’ve won and you’ve lost. You’re mine now and we’re playing by my

me, the police. By now

wrinkles her nose. “’Fraid not. You see, Harry Hughes isn't missing. What’s left of him has been found dead in his hotel suite after the explosion. And I made sure the police found some clues about

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

insist, I left your passport not too far away, close enough to link you to the spot.” She sighs, stroking a hand over her hair. “I suppose they might decide you were involved with the gangs. But I think it's more likely they'll say you

“Either way, Larry, they’re not looking for you. You’re dead. Or the

rigged that explosion just so you could plant a

you are, could I? That

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

were scores of people caught in that explosion. All