Chapter 111: Prey, Part 13

Klempner

I clamber out, Michael in front of me, onto the landing of the fire escape, then realise the clattering of metallic footsteps comes from both above and below.

Michael spins. "Fuck, they've split."

Who's most dangerous?

I gesture down. "I'll take Baxter. You go for the woman and the gorilla." But Michael is already moving, belting up the first flight.

I clatter downward, following the descending figure I see a couple of levels below me. Baxter has a good lead on me, but as he runs he shoots a look up through the galvanised mesh of the steps, his face twisted with what I'm hoping is worry.

At street level, the crowds are milling and shoving, all the happy shoppers going about their happy little businesses. If Baxter makes it into the crowd, I may well lose him... again...

Saving the cursing for inside my head, saving my breath for an extra burst of speed, I pelt downward. Below me, Baxter has almost made it to ground level.

*****

Michael