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her back down. “I’ll get him. I think the sniper shot came from the live oaks on the knoll over there. It’s the right angle and distance with enough cover for a sniper to do his worst damage. Stay here and keep your head down.”
    Rico ran for the stage as he shouted for everyone to stay down.
    Franz lay in a pool of blood, but was alive.
    Using his good arm and cursing his injured one, Rico pulled Franz across the stage, hurrying to get out of the line of fire. At any moment he expected a bullet to plow into him and his stomach churned from the remembered agony of Lebanon.
    Focus, Rico. Focus or die!
    Franz moaned in pain and shock, and Rico breathed a half sigh of relief. The bullet had hit Franz between his left collarbone and his shoulder. Moving for the microphone had saved his life. The bullet had been meant for his heart.
    Angie joined Rico, grabbing Franz’s feet. She was now between Rico and the direction of the shooter and his heart nose-dived into a pool of chilling fear. “What in the hell are you doing?”
    “Exactly what you’re doing. I’ve called 911. Police and ambulances are on their way. How badly is he hit?”
    “The bullet went straight through. Upper right chest above his lung.” Rico clamped down on his fear and hurried on getting them all to cover. He’d kill her later.
    Franz shuddered, regaining consciousness. “What happened?”
    “Hold still. You were shot, but you’re going to be okay.” Angie was in full, reassuring-nurse mode, but the fear in her eyes ripped at Rico.
    He stifled a curse. Okay? Only if the sniper didn’t go for round two before they reached cover. Mother Mary and all the saints! If anything happened to Angie he’d…hell… He couldn’t even imagine it. He focused on Franz, wondering if Angie’s mentor was the intended victim of a specific crime or just in the wrong place at the wrong time. “Have you received any threats on your life lately? Any threats to the magazine?”
    “Never and no,” the man gasped.
    They reached the end of the stage, jumped down and placed Franz on the grass. Rico’s knees nearly buckled as another rifle shot rent the air. He moved to cover Angie with his body even though he knew by the time he’d heard the sound, the bullet would have already nailed her had she been the sniper’s target. Holding her close, he scanned the horizon looking for the son of a bitch. Nothing stirred. She pulled away from him, slung her camera back, and began giving Franz first aid. At her direction Rico helped her turn Franz so she could apply direct pressure to the exit wound. It was the largest.
    The last shot hadn’t hit them or near them and screams were coming from the family who’d been having a picnic in the open. Rico’s stomach roiled. The bastard had to be shooting people in the park at random. Franz was stable. “I’m going after the sniper.”
    “Unarmed?” She looked up at him. Worry and fear marred her expression.
    “I’ll deal. What I won’t do is cower while he kills.”
    “But you’re injured. Take help.”
    He shook his head. “I’m trained to do this, Angel. Someone who isn’t will put us both in danger. Don’t worry and keep everyone here. Okay?”
    His gaze locked with hers, saying things he couldn’t bring himself to voice. He left, determined to get his hands on the sniper.
     
    Simultaneously across the country on Twitter:
    BREAKING NEWS: Sniper in Times Square. Three dead. No suspects.
    BREAKING NEWS: School bus driver shot in DC. 15 Students injured in crash.
    BREAKING NEWS: South Beach, Miami. Four shot while sitting at outdoor café.
    BREAKING NEWS: Reporters shot outside Seattle Courthouse. Update to follow.
    BREAKING NEWS: Chicago. Judge in 10th floor office shot from roof of adjacent highrise.
    BREAKING NEWS: Dallas/Ft. Worth. Two truck drivers on I-20 shot from overpass.
    BREAKING NEWS: Beverly Hills. Five shot on Rodeo Drive, mother and child among the dead.

Chapter Six
     
    Fort Bragg, North