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.

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

her shoulders, with deep red lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline; designed to show off a figure which I suspect is being enhanced with well-chosen underwear. A

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

“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 of it, me to the

fold my arms,

good to get off the

you like to talk about? I’m guessing you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as

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

Fake…

Extensions?

Larry. You must look after yourself. Exercise. You won’t do well down here if you don’t move about

Two days?

Is there

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

tool? Finchby and Baxter were stupid, letting

a real drink that

off the wall if you

your concern

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

they'll be looking for me, the police. By

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

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

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

way, Larry, they’re not looking for you. You’re dead. Or the man they think you are

mind spins… “So… you rigged that explosion just so you

“Couldn't have people wondering where you are, could I? That would spoil

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

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