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.

Click of heels on concrete, then Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry. How are you? I do hope

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; designed

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

she says brightly. “What are we going

watches me, a touch of wariness in her eyes. Momentarily, her gaze

fold my arms,

good to get off the

a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as the chain allows, unhinging stiff knees and hips,

a bright little smile. “And…”

Fake…

Extensions?

well down

Two days?

there

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting your little bitch daughter get hold of a glass bottle. I'm

get a real drink that

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

your concern for my

I’ve won and you’ve lost.

be looking for me, the police. By now they'll know I'm

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

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

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 got caught in the war between the Wolves and the Nightshades. You know…” She makes

her knees, her smile widening. “Either way, Larry, they’re not looking for you. You’re dead.

mind spins… “So… you rigged that explosion just so you could plant a corpse to stand

looking away. “Couldn't have people wondering where you are, could I? That would spoil our fun

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

There were scores of people caught in that explosion.