A figure, tall and broad, came into view near the hood of what used to be Nari’s car. There he was. Angus relaxed his grip and moved sideways, crossing one leg over the other repeatedly until he had a decent line of fire. He squeezed the trigger, and the figure dropped.

Then he didn’t move. The forest was silent, while the fire roared.

Did the guy have a partner? Angus remained in place, searching for any hint of movement. Nothing. If there was another attacker out there, he or she had training. Like Angus. He counted seconds and then minutes in his head. The fire continued to burn, hot enough that the rain couldn’t smother it. The smell of chemicals rode the rain. What accelerant had been used?

“Angus?” Nari whispered.

He jolted and partially turned to find her on the trail, mud covering most of her legs and feet. The rain had drenched her tiny tank top and shorts, clearly revealing her breasts, although she held her gun like she knew what to do with it. “This way,” he whispered, motioning her closer.

She jumped and then turned, her eyes wide in the darkness. Then she lowered her hand and picked her way around a series of bushes to reach him. You okay? she mouthed, blood on her chin and rain sliding down her face.

He gestured toward the prone figure on the ground. “Roscoe? Scout. Now.” He pointed toward the figure.

Roscoe, his paws muddy, put his nose to the ground and moved toward the fire.

Angus kept his gun at the ready, pointed at the prone figure. “Might have a partner,” he whispered.

Nari turned, putting her back to him and covering the trail. “Got it.”

Now wasn’t the time to ask her if she’d shot anybody before. He doubted it. Instead he concentrated on his dog. Roscoe ran in a zigzag pattern, silent, his tail not wagging. He went by the prone figure, sniffed, and then moved on, not alerting but not giving the all clear.

Angus wiped soot out of his eye with his free hand. “The chemicals are strong, as is the smoke. He may not be able to track properly.” Was Nari up to this? “Are you okay covering me?” he asked, wishing the team was there.

She looked over her shoulder and gulped. “Covering you?”

He tugged her closer, put his mouth to her ear, and clipped command into his voice. “Yes. I have to see who that is on the ground, and there’s a chance we have other enemies out there. If anybody fires at me, shoot them.” It wasn’t a great plan, but it was all they had.

She swallowed and wiped rain from her face. “Okay.” Her voice quivered, but she turned and faced the prone body, her gun up and almost steady. “Go. Be careful. Duck if you have to.”