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.

then Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon, Larry. How are you? I do hope you’ve

cut neckline; designed to show off a figure which I suspect is being enhanced with well-chosen underwear. A clutch bag in black satin

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 a talk on jam-making or how to grow dahlias. At least she could if Morticia Addams had ever joined the ‘Jam and Jerusalem’

says brightly. “What are we going to talk about

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

I fold my arms, lean back against the

it’s good to

you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as the chain allows, unhinging

me a bright little smile. “And…” She aims a

Fake…

Extensions?

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

Two days?

Is there anything

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

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

a

off the wall if you have

touched by your concern for my

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

me, the police.

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

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

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 air commas… “Innocent Tourist Witnesses Gang Murder And Bloodbath. Criminals Retaliate.” The

they’re not looking for you. You’re dead. Or the man they think you

explosion just so you could

away. “Couldn't have people wondering where you are, could

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

I spit back. “How many have you murdered? There were scores of people caught in that explosion. All innocent. All nothing to