Man Hunt, Part 2

Are you sure about this, Harry?

Parker asked, looking at the expanse of Green in the valley below him.

Sure, I'm sure, Detective Parker, the boy replied indignantly.

I keep telling you, kids tell other kids

things they don't tell grownups. Mac Tully grinned, and Parker was sure that they were both

thinking the same thing, that Harry Kelly would not be able to use that old line for very much

longer. The boy had been in the Red Panda's network as long as anyone could remember,

first as a runner, then as a spotter, and maybe the best in the network at that.

He had to be twelve or thirteen now, and growing like a weed.

What's so funny, Mr. Tully?

Harry said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion that he was the

butt of some joke. He had grown up surrounded by an army of crime-fighting substitute brothers,

and it was a lot for a kid to live up to. He was constantly on the lookout for signs that he was

being treated like a mascot.

"'Not a thing, short pants,' Max said, raising his hands defensively.

"'I was just imagining what the Red Panda will say when he finds out we've all gone for a stroll in the woods.

"'I told you. Some kids saw two men chained at the wrist, running down through the park, towards the trees. The poet knows he can follow the river right up out of the city.' Harry crossed his arms and looked as hard nose as he could, which might have been intimidating if he were a foot taller and had some meat on his bones.

"'It's the long, slow way out of town,

and he knows that, too, Mack said. His men died, busting him out, and he's got no network left.

My money still says he went south. Parker nodded. Those are the safe odds, he agreed.

But Andy, Harry Kelly groused. Let me finish Harry, Parker said. Those are the safe odds.

...