No one approached them. But out of the corner of his eye he saw movement.

The florist van.

The van burst through the intersection as if trying to beat a light—except they were heading down the one-way street where Sean’s car was double-parked.

“Down!” he shouted as he heard the first gunshot. He pushed both Stan and Marie hard, falling on top of Marie to shield her body.

The van screeched to a halt and Sean reached for his gun, only to remember it was in his car because he’d been in the courthouse.

More gunshots rang out of the driver’s side window in rapid succession.

one two three four …

Five total bullets, then the van floored it and sped away, firing one last time into Sean’s rear tire. His vantage point from the ground was poor, but the driver appeared Caucasian and there was someone in the passenger seat—someone he couldn’t see.

“Marie! Marie, are you hurt?”

She didn’t answer and Sean climbed off her as multiple cops came running from the courthouse.

“Call nine-one-one!” he shouted.

“On their way,” one of the court security officers said.

Sean inspected Marie. She seemed to be in shock, but he didn’t see any blood on her. A small pool was above her head. Had he hurt her when he pushed her down?

“Marie!” He gently shook her.

“You’re bleeding,” she said in a monotone.

He looked at his arm. That’s where the blood was coming from. He thought he’d been nicked. It was just enough to draw blood.

“Are you okay?”

“Stan!” she cried out.

She tried to get up. Sean helped her to a sitting position and told her to stay.

More officers were coming toward them from the annex.

Sean looked over at Stan, who was sprawled, facedown, on the sidewalk. Three distinct entry points.

Fortunately, two of the officers immediately went to him, while two came over to Sean and Marie, who were ten feet away, on the grass.

“Are you okay?” one asked.

“Sean Rogan, private investigator,” he said. “Can I retrieve my identification?” It was always good to tell an officer when you were reaching into your pocket, even when you weren’t carrying.

The officer nodded and watched him. Sean pulled out his wallet and handed him his PI license and driver’s license.

“What were you doing here?”