Two cops. Something besides a routine check, call from concerned citizen. Besides there ain't another citizen, concerned or otherwise within a half mile. What'm I doin' out here alone? Alex leaned on his cane as they approached. He'd left his gun in the cabin, but that might be a good thing. If there was anything good about the situation. A Cold Steel kobun was thrust inside his waistband under the windbreaker. Where the crossdraw holster would have been. Where it would have quickly been detected. The knife might escape notice, for a while. Just long enough. The one driving was big. Six plus and heavy build. Just in case. For an old cripple? Taking no chances. "Mr. Stern, I have a warrant for your arrest," the regular-sized one said. How do I play this? They gonna cuff me and put me in the car. Or try. "Mind if I look at it?" Alex asked. They exchanged glances, the larger one nodded. The regular-sized one handed him the warrant. Alex held the papers in his left hand, his right tightly clutching the cane, weaving slightly. Gotta be artistic. Once they get the cuffs on I'm done. They don't figure on taking me to jail. Not breathing anyway. He made as if to return the warrant, allowed his right knee to bend slightly as the cop reached for it. He dropped the papers and clutched his chest, let his legs fold under him. Face down, kinda. Back towards them. The kobun was in his belt, they'd find it when they frisked him. "Come on, get up dammit!" Someone kneeling behind me. Probably the big one. Where's the other? Hand on his shoulder, the cop was about to roll him over on his back. Alex got his hand to the kobun, grasped it as the cop pulled. He pulled the knife as he went over on his back, thrust at the throat, the blade going in to the hilt. He twisted, feeling the blade hit what felt like bone. Near center. He's finished. Alex freed the knife and looked for the other cop. He was a couple of feet away and recoiled, reaching for his gun. No time to spare. He gets it out, I'm dead. Dropping into a crouch he launched himself at the cop, leading with the left shoulder low. He struck the lower ribcage, felt bones give. He followed with the kobun, thrusting in below the sternum and ripping upwards until the blade stopped in the pectoralis major, he guessed. He pulled the blade free and let the body fall. The man rolled over on his side, keens drawn up, hands on his stomach. After a few seconds he was still. He backed away, lowered the knife. Te guy probably wasn't dead yet but was no longer a threat. The other one seemed finished. He looked down at the kobun. Damn thing covered with blood, so am I. I done kilt two cops. Don't matter they's killers themselves, come to kill me. Law don't wanna hear it. Get inside, call Scotty. Won't be long before someone starts to wonder what's keeping those guys.