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Back Whirlwind Save as PDF
Chapters (95)
  1. Title Page
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. 34
  36. 35
  37. 36
  38. 37
  39. 38
  40. 39
  41. 40
  42. 41
  43. 42
  44. 43
  45. 44
  46. 45
  47. 46
  48. 47
  49. 48
  50. 49
  51. 50
  52. 51
  53. 52
  54. 53
  55. 54
  56. 55
  57. 56
  58. 57
  59. 58
  60. 59
  61. 60
  62. 61
  63. 62
  64. 63
  65. 64
  66. 65
  67. 66
  68. 67
  69. 68
  70. 69
  71. 70
  72. 71
  73. 72
  74. 73
  75. 74
  76. 75
  77. 76
  78. 77
  79. 78
  80. 79
  81. 80
  82. 81
  83. 82
  84. 83
  85. 84
  86. 85
  87. 86
  88. 87
  89. 88
  90. 89
  91. 90
  92. 91
  93. 92
  94. Also by DAVID KLASS
  95. Copyright Page

I look up from the file in time to see Gisco plow forward, busting the wire cage door like it was spaghetti. The dog control officer tries to grab him. She’s a big woman, but he shakes her off like a flea. The lady cop pulls out a stun gun. “Back in the cage, Jumbo, or I’ll deep-fry you.” He doesn’t waste time dodging, just runs into her and right through her. She fires the stun gun as she’s falling and shoots the dog control officer.

There’s shouting. Screaming.

Dispatcher runs to try to help.

Alarms sound. Lights flash.

“FBI agents” and two policemen hear the commotion. Their footsteps pound back down hallway.

I slam door to block them. Barricade it with desk.

Gisco and I dash out the door of the station. Cold night air.

Should we run for it?

No chance. They’ll be after us in seconds. We need some wheels!

As if on cue, a police car zips up. Young policeman inside. My God, I know him. Zach Mills. Used to play football with him, when I was a freshman and he was a senior. He sees my uniform. I stand in the shadows and hope he can’t see my face. “What’s going on?” he asks.

“Prisoner trying to escape! They need help inside.”

Zach always had quick reactions. He’s out of the car in a flash, running for the station. Unfortunately, he’s taken the car keys with him.

Know-it-all dog seizes control. It’s not difficult to hot-wire one of these primitive vehicles. Hop in. Reach under the dash. Find a black wire and a red wire. Rip them out from the steering column and wind them together …

A few seconds later, we’re ready to go. I always wanted to drive a police car. Peel out. Turn on the lights. Flashers. And the siren. This is cool!

You’re going the wrong way.

This is my hometown, snout face. Don’t tell me where to go.

They’ll put out an all-points bulletin. Get cars from neighboring towns. Block all key roads.

You’re exaggerating. That stuff takes time.

Turn on your radio.

I switch it on.

Excited voice of dispatcher. “ … Suspects are fleeing in a Hadley police car, license plate B25897. They are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Suspects last seen at Hadley Station, heading south on McDermott. New York State Police issuing all-points bulletin. Chopper 47 now airborne …”

I turn off radio. Okay, you made your point. How do we get away?

Sirens blare behind us. In front of us. Spotlights sweep the streets. There must already be a dozen cars out looking for us. They’re closing in!

One chance. The river: And step on it.

6

6

Back roads to Hudson. Breakneck speed. Screeching around curves. Streaking down straightaways.

Police car handles well. Lights and flasher illuminate winding tarmac sloping to dark river.

Crest a hill. See lights up ahead. Roadblock.

Watch out, Jack.