Free Cold Snow: A Legal Thriller by John Nicholas Page B

and grabbing at everything he could reach. Eventually he found a handle on the iron fence surrounding the boat. Anthony was next to jump, landing on top of the barrier and falling over. Alex, meanwhile, was heaving himself to the top. The fence had two rungs, and he stretched his arm out to grab the top one. Struggling, he found his footing.
     
    The boat, having just started, was moving slowly, three yards from the shore now. The guards were shouting incoherently. Sarah was looking around, searching desperately for something to help them. Her eyes rested on the chain.
     
    "Jake!"
     
    "What?"
     
    "Help me throw this!"
     
    Alex was over the fence now, joining Anthony on the deck. Jake looked around, and terror struck him as he saw the police cars, sirens illuminating the dark sky.
     
    "Anthony! Catch it!" The chain flew, a steel snake winding through the air. Anthony leaned over the rail, holding his hands out, coordinating the catch.
     
    The chain fell, evading him.
     
    He reached out quickly, grabbing it.
     
    "Tie it to something!" Sarah shouted. Anthony obliged, fastening the rope to the rail. Unfortunately, as they all knew, a chain would not do much to impede the movement of a boat that probably weighed tons. Sarah quickly did the only thing she could do. She jumped, grabbing the chain.
     
    "Ouch!" she winced as the metal cut into her hands. Bravely, she dropped her left hand from the chain.
     
    "What is she doing?" Anthony wondered.
     
    "She's trying to climb here!" Alex exclaimed.
     
    Sarah had almost worked her way to the end of the chain now. Leaping, she did what Alex had done, climbing the fence.
     
    "Jake!" Alex yelled. "Hurry up!"
     
    Officer Gerhardt's bullhorn blared. "Jacob Daniel Harwell! Do not move! We are authorized to use arms!"
     
    The wooden post that the chain was attached to was beginning to weaken.
     
    "Jump!" Sarah pleaded.
     
    Only when the first shot rang out and missed him by inches did Jake's resolve harden. Racing to the water, he flew—
     
    —and fell short—
     
    "No!" There was a splintering crack as the post broke, sending fragments everywhere. Jake hit the river with a mighty crash, showering the boat with spray. He grabbed the end of the chain, hanging on as the boat began to move faster.
     
     
     
     
     
    "I'm going to radio him. Hold your fire," Franklin ordered, switching on his walkie-talkie. "Captain! Ferry number four! Do you read me? Come back! You are carrying criminals!"
     
    He got static for his efforts. He shouted again. "Ferry number four! Come back!"
     
    "Franklin, you idiot. You didn't hear? And you've worked here how long?"
     
    "What? Am I missing something?"
     
    Gephardt looked genuinely surprised, but at the same time, obvious laughter was evident in his face. "The boats are piloted by computer."
     
    "Since when?"
     
    "Since a year ago! It's a lot more economical if the park doesn't have to pay anyone," Gerhardt said, loading his gun. "Of course, the union bitched about it, but when was the last time that meant anything?"
     
    "Geez," Franklin said. "Well, I guess there's only one way to reach them now."
     
    Gerhardt winked. "And now, begins the fun part of the job." He switched on his radio. "Chief? It's Gerhardt. This is high-caliber. Tell the whole force to stop whatever they're doing and get their lazy asses to the dock."
     
     
     
    "Hang on!" Alex vaulted the fence and clung to a post with one hand. "I'll pull you!" Shots were ringing out now, shattering the ferry's windows. They could hear screams from the lounge as passengers dove for cover. Alex's feet hit the spray, and Jake reached toward him. A bullet slammed against the hull next to him.
     
    Desperately, Jake relinquished the chain and lunged toward Alex, grabbing his hand. Alex pulled as hard as he could, heaving, taxing himself every last ounce of strength—
     
    Suddenly, Jake was hanging against the hull, not exactly safe but out of the worst danger. Another bullet zipped