Hard Road Read Online Free PDF

sirens.
     
     
"Jeremy, let's get going."
     
     
"Where, Aunt Cat?"
     
     
I wish I knew . "Out of here, hon. Follow me."
     
     
Countering the man's direction, we crept away past the fried mangaboos stand, past a rare book and memorabilia dealer. The rare book table was brightly lighted and I turned my head away and thrust Jeremy on my far side as we slipped past.
     
     
Once beyond the book dealer, I walked rapidly, holding Jeremy's hand. Our best bet was probably to circle around and ask the paramedics for help. None of the security people or police were close enough— now when I needed them— but we'd just have to take the chance and run to the EMTs. They'd protect us. I hesitated for a couple of seconds only because I didn't want Jeremy to see Jennifer's ruined head, but I was terrified he might be shot. I inched closer, ready to run over to the paramedics.
     
     
"Let's go talk with the—"
     
     
A shot buzzed past my shoulder, striking the forearm of one of the paramedics and going through to hit the side of a food stand just beyond him, making a wooden thump. The man jumped up holding his arm. I heard the sound of the actual shot a fraction of a second later. I ducked back. Whoever it was, he had got halfway behind us.
     
     
Suddenly the crowd realized there was an assailant out there with a gun. They had been milling in confusion before, now there was confusion on the hoof. The instant the first person started to run, they all ran. People shrieked and then men, women, and children stampeded witlessly in every direction. They didn't know where the shot had come from, only that somebody was shooting. The EMTs threw themselves flat on the ground. The security men a little distance away scattered apart. Two cops pointed to where they thought the shooter was. But they pointed in two different directions. They yelled, "Get away! Get away!" The crowd stampeded.
     
     
This was the time to get Jeremy out of sight. Under cover of people running every which way, we ought to be able to get ourselves lost.
     
     
There was a narrow alley formed by a food booth and the side of a power shed. Electric cables crisscrossed it.
     
     
"Come on!"
     
     
I ran, pulling Jeremy with me, into the darkened space. Beyond was a forest of boxes. "Come on. Come on." We tore along among them.
     
     
One of the Grant Park garage ventilation cribs was ahead of us. These are rectangular concrete air wells, like squat, square chimneys. Many of them have stone benches built around them to make them look less industrial. This one was angled, with benches only on the lower side. They all have metal grates on top, but on this one the grate had not been replaced properly. It was slightly askew. I gave the heavy grate a huge push and managed to gain another few inches of space.
     
     
"Let me go first." I had no idea if the air well was deep. I had to be sure there was footing, so that Jeremy wouldn't fall.
     
     
The air shaft was quite clean, and it led into a downward-slanting tunnel. Though the angle was fairly steep, it was not impossible to walk down, and the slope led to a flat area beyond the opening that faded away into darkness. Darkness and invisibility looked very inviting right now.
     
     
"Come on, Jeremy. Hurry!"
     
     
"I don't like this, Aunt Cat!" He had squirmed in and stood about eighteen inches inside the air shaft mouth, half crouched and peering down. His head was above the level of the outside cement frame. I just hoped the shooter wouldn't see him. He would give our position away if he stayed there.
     
     
"I don't like this either, but I like it better than up there. Come on! "
     
     
He edged a tiny bit farther in, slipping one foot forward, then bringing up the rear foot near it, then crept farther in.
     
     
"Come on," I said. "Trust me. It isn't hard. I can do it and I'm old ."
     
     
He giggled. I was getting scared for him. I pictured his head exploding. To myself I whispered, "Damn it, Jeremy!"