down on the pavement crying. 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 was well 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 few moments, and then entered. They kept

going, following the steps ahead. But when they stopped, so did Puller. He held

up a hand for Knox to do the same.

 

Puller was in full combat mode now. And he wasn’t liking what he was seeing.

 

He looked back at the other end of the alley. In the dark there wasn’t much to

see. But he had senses honed to such a fine degree 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.