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.

from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry. How are you? I do hope you’ve had the opportunity to

for black hair today, long and draped over her shoulders, with deep red lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline;

to begin the lesson. Or perhaps in the audience at some small town hall, for a talk on jam-making or how to grow dahlias. At least she could if

brightly. “What are we going to talk about

going to let her look down at me while we talk. She watches me, a touch of wariness in her eyes. Momentarily, her gaze drops to her painted line,

I fold my arms, lean back against

to get

you like to talk about? I’m guessing you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as the chain allows, unhinging stiff knees and

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

Fake…

Extensions?

You won’t do well down here if you don’t move about more than I’ve

Two days?

there

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

a tool? Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting your little bitch daughter get hold of a glass bottle. I'm not making that mistake. You have hands.

to get a

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

your concern for

and you’ve lost. You’re mine now and we’re playing

for me, the

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 you being near my apartment. With the number of bodies they’ll have found around there recently, I’m sure that will perk their

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

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

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

you rigged that explosion just so you could plant

have people wondering where you are, could I? That would spoil our

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

then,” I spit back. “How many have you murdered? There were scores of people caught