22
“f**k!” Tessa called out. Like Keith, she saw a man running away from behind the shed. Even from this distance she recognized him instantly: Larry Caldwell. She immediately gave chase but was soon overtaken by Keith Balon. The young detective sprinted to grab the fugitive Caldwell. Halfway through, Tessa stopped running. Panting and puking, she stood bent over. She watched with admiration as Keith slowly but surely caught up with Caldwell.
“Police! Stand still!” Keith called.
But Caldwell had no intention of stopping. For a moment he considered running to the airport; as soon as he noticed that Keith was running faster than he was, he turned toward the trees.
Keith reached for his weapon, couldn’t get hold of it so quickly, and found his attempt at the expense of speed. He stopped t
