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.

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

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

streaming 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 a talk

says brightly. “What are we going to talk

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, but

I fold my arms, lean

good to get off the

like to talk about? I’m guessing you have a selection of choice topics.”

gives me a bright little smile. “And…”

Fake…

Extensions?

it, Larry. You must look after yourself. Exercise. You won’t do well down here if

Two days?

there anything

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

turn into a weapon or a tool? Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting your little

a real drink that

Lick it off the

by your concern

don’t be grouchy, Larry. I’ve won and you’ve lost. You’re mine now and we’re playing by

be looking for me, the

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

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

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…”

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

“So… you rigged that explosion just so

people wondering where you are, could I? That

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

“How many have you murdered? There were scores of people caught in that