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“Because you’re going to kill her”
Rogers looked puzzled “What do you care?”
Myers didn’t answer
Chapter
60
PULLER, KNOX, AND Shepard were under the table in the café Puller and Knox had their guns out Shepard was screa hysterically
The café, which had been quiet moments before, had erupted into chaos as the custo to escape
Puller reached a hand over and gripped Shepard’s shoulder “You’re okay,” he said in a calone You’re okay Do you understand ly
She finally quieted and gave him a jerky nod “Okay”
“I want you to stay right here The cops will be on their way You’re safe, okay, Anne? You’re safe”
She gave hiht smile “You…you saved my life”
“I’lad I was here”
“Me too”
“We’ll be back”
Puller and Knox reached the front door of the café Puller did a turkey peek through the opening, found it clear, and they raced out into the street
“How did you e that?” she asked
“I saw the shooter reflected in the mirror at the back of the café”
A wo She saw Puller and Knox with their guns out She put up her hands and said, “Please, don’t shoot me”
Puller whipped out his badge “I’m a cop Are you hurt?”
She shook her head
“Did you see the shooter?” asked Knox
She pointed to her left “Down that alley Tall guy in a black hoodie with a rifle”
Puller and Knox raced off, turned the corner, and headed down the alley They could hear police sirens in the distance It ell dark now and Puller was listening to the pounding footsteps ahead of him
They reached another street, turned left, and raced down it They saw a shadow of movement dart down another alley
They reached the opening, paused for a fewthe steps ahead But when they stopped, so did Puller He held up a hand for Knox to do the same
Puller was in full co
He looked back at the other end of the alley In the dark there wasn’t ree that he could see what others couldn’t
“What is it?” Knox said in a whisper, hunkered down next to him
Puller shook his head slightly He could no longer hear the sirens The police must have already reached the café
It had been risky Done in a public place And the shooter letting himself be seen in the mirror? A rookie error? Or a calculated maneuver?
Because here we are, blocks away from the scene, in the middle of a dark alley with both flanks exposed
Puller pulled out his second M11 from the holster in his rear waistband He leaned into Knox “Trap,” he muttered “Keep your eyes and ears open and your pistol ready”
She looked behind and then up ahead “The woman back on the street?”
“Part of it,” said Puller in a tone so low only she could hear “Most people aren’t that observant when shots are being fired Should’ve seen that She led us right here”
“What do we do now?”