The Last of the Freemen Read Online Free Page A

yourself.”
    “Good Lord.” Leon shook his head and wiped a tear from his bloody cheek.  “All those people...”
    “Come on!” He tucked the pistol in his pocket and again hoisted Erin – who seemed only more frightened by the act - and Hughie into his arms, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the street.  With a quick look in both directions, he took off running.
    The nearest officer was at the mouth of the next alley, busily shooting other escapees who had come his way, and oblivious to all else. The street was otherwise deserted; the bulk of the tactical force had deployed to the parking area - the most likely avenue of escape - from where the sound of gunfire continued.
    Once across the street they ran through the next alley, and came to a halt only when they neared the next block; Harm put Erin down and caught his breath, while Leon leaned against a wall and gasped for air.
    “The streets will be busy with patrol cars,” Harm said, removing his blood-spattered shirt to reveal a muscled physique in a tight-fitting tank top. “We have to look normal, not draw attention to ourselves. Just out for a walk, like we have no idea what just happened back there. You should wipe that blood off your face.”
    “Oh, yeah, good idea,” Leon said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. “I don’t have far to go. I just live a few blocks from here. Listen, if you need a place to lay low for a while...”
    “Thank you,” Harm said, tying the shirt around his waist, “but we need to get out of here before they throw the city into lockdown.  Which they will, when they realize people got away.”  He led Erin into the street and they turned to the right.  Leon headed to the left.
    “I’m goin’ this way,” he said.  “You folks be careful, now.”
    Harm paused and turned. “Don’t tell anyone, remember, no survivors.  They’ll hunt you down.”
    “Gotcha,” he answered as he walked away. “God bless!”
    They walked back to the car, keeping several blocks away from the scene of the slaughter.  Calming Hughie helped Erin regain her own composure, but as a patrol car drove slowly past she started to panic.
    “Should we run?” she asked tensely.
    “No, everything's okay,” he said quietly. “We’re just out for a walk. These local cops probably don’t even know what happened. They’re probably on alert, just looking for anything unusual.  Don’t be unusual.”
    The patrol car rolled up alongside them and the passenger side window opened; an officer in his thirties leaned over and called out.
    “Jeez, Wolf, you turn up at the craziest times,” he said.
    “Yeah, Tommy, tell me about it,” Harm answered.
    “The Feds took over the whole city since yesterday,” the officer continued. “Training exercises, they said, but don't ask any questions. Now I hear automatic rifles. But we have to look the other way, or else, you know?”
    “I never know anything.  You know that.”
    “Yeah, yeah,” the officer said wryly.  “Listen, heads up, the whole city is about to go into lockdown.”
    “Thanks.  We’re on our way out.”
    “Somehow I'm not surprised. Hey, say ‘hi’ to the Bear for me, if you see him.”  The officer drove off and swung around, going back the way he had come.
    Mollified by the gentle motion of their stroll, Hughie finally quieted down and watched the changing scenery over his mother’s shoulder; Harm sighed with relief when they reached his car.
    “Let's get out of here,” he said, opening the door for her. “And let’s hope the day doesn't get any more interesting.”

Chapter 5
    “Wolf?” Erin asked as they drove away.  “You seem to know that cop pretty well.  And he calls you Wolf?”
    “So it would seem.”
    “That’s all you’re going to say?”
    “Life is complicated.”
    She shook her head, frustrated by his dismissal.
    “So what do I do now?” she asked, dragging a forelock of hair behind her ear with one hand, while clutching Hughie’s