Of course, once they caught him, they’d still have to convince a local jury that the evidence was as damning as Sushi claimed it was. If the suspect’s lawyer got his trial delayed until the company was off Landoor, and Sushi’s expert testimony unavailable, he might win an acquittal. Even if Sushi did take the stand, he might get an acquittal. Phule wasn’t sure he himself understood all the wrinkles in the case, and it had been his idea.
The suspect cut ahead of the stroller and turned toward the building, and Dunstable grinned wickedly. “OK, let’s get this creep,” he said and threw open the hovervan’s door, ready to close the trap behind their quarry.
Unfortunately, exactly at that moment, the young woman with the baby carriage gave out a monumental sneeze. The suspect turned around just in time to see Dunstable leap out onto the sidewalk, with Phule and Sushi behind him. A glance toward the building showed him several uniformed policemen emerging from the doors. At that, the suspect dropped his lunchbox and began to sprint across the flower beds. That was enough to convince Phule. “Stun him, Sushi,” he shouted and dropped to one knee to allow a clear shot.
But Officer Dunstable didn’t know about the stun ray, and neither did the woman with the baby carriage. Or perhaps the fleeing suspect deliberately used them as shields. In any case, both were in the direct line of fire. Sushi raised his stun gun, then shook his head. With others in the line of fire, he wasn’t going to risk it.