Free Cry of the Hunter by Jack Higgins

faded into the distance. There was only the rain hissing into the water and splashing as they moved on. Faintly in the distance there was the sound of traffic and then a church clock began to sound the hour. Murphy stopped. ‘We’ll climb up here,’ he said.
    It was not difficult. There were several bricks missing from the wall which was low at this point There was a fence at the top with several gaps in it and they squeezed through one of them. They were in a quiet residential street. Murphy led the way along the pavement until they came to a little shop that stood on the corner. There was an entrance to one side that opened into a tiny yard and he turned into this and paused outside a door. ‘Where are we?’ Fallon said.
    The boy smiled. ‘My place.’ Fallon started to protest and Murphy went on. ‘There’s nowhere else to go. We haven’t any choice.’
    From behind Rogan said, ‘For God’s sake let’s go in if we’re going,’ and Murphy opened the door and walked into a tiny kitchen.
    A young, pleasant-faced girl with a determined face turned from the sink her arms wet to the elbows. She picked up a towel and began to dry herself as she looked at them in amazement. ‘Johnny!’ she said. ‘Where have you been?’ Her eyes travelled down to their soaking legs that dripped water on to the floor.
    Murphy cleared his throat nervously. ‘We had a bit of an accident, Kathleen,’ he said. ‘These gentlemen are friends of mine.’
    ‘Friends is it!’ she said, interrupting him. She stepped forward and looked at Fallon closely and her expression altered and she paled. ‘Dear God, you’re Martin Fallon!’ For a moment she swayed as though she would fall and then she seemed to regain her composure. She turned on her brother and said fiercely, ‘What have you got yourself mixed up in now, you damned fool?’
    ‘For God’s sake, Kathy,’ he said. ‘Don’t start arguing! We’ll catch our deaths and the polis combing the streets for us. We’ll have to stay here for the night.’
    ‘Stay here is it?’ she said, dangerously calm. ‘If you think that, then you’ve another think coming. I’d rather they caught you now, Johnny Murphy, before you get yourself more involved in this foolishness.’ She turned and ran through into a small hall. A telephone stood on a table by the door. As she reached for the receiver, Rogan moved after her and caught her so roughly that the bodice of her dress ripped several inches.
    ‘Leave her be, damn you!’ Murphy screamed and threw himself at Rogan.
    Fallon jumped between them and sent Rogan reeling against the wall. ‘Stop it – both of you!’ he shouted.
    For the moment there was a lull and Fallon turned from Rogan’s hate-filled eyes to the girl who was leaning over the table, weeping. ‘I’m sorry, Miss Murphy,’ he said. ‘We won’t trouble you any more.’ He turned to the boy. ‘You stay here with your sister.’
    The girl choked back her sobs and said, ‘That won’t make any difference. I’m calling the police anyway, before he gets into this thing any deeper.’
    She picked up the receiver and began to dial calmly and Fallon turned from her and went quickly out through the kitchen into the yard. He paused under the light outside and Rogan and the boy joined him. Fallon turned to argue, but Murphy shook his head. ‘If you think I’m waiting here for the polis you’re a damned fool, Mr. Fallon. I’m sticking to you.’
    Fallon laughed grimly. ‘Much good it will do you now.’
    The rain increased in volume and they started to walk along the street quickly. Rogan had the collar of his jacket turned up but it was an inadequate protection. He was soaked to the skin and cursing steadily. Suddenly Fallon felt desperate. The net was closing in and there was no place to run. No place to bide – but was that true? He paused abruptly and the boy said anxiously, ‘Is anything the matter?’
    Fallon shook his head slowly. ‘I’ve just had an idea