Bendy Wendy looked him over. “You’re not going to say anymore.”

“No.”

“You’re a good man, Adam. You know how to keep secrets.”

“I thought people in town complained about that.”

“We’d all like to know your secrets, and it would be your right to tell them. But her secrets are not yours to tell. Some people don’t comprehend that concept.” Wendy turned to Elle, who had paused, feet firmly planted, hands raised. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t remember any more,” Elle said.

“You got through the sixth form of international tae kwon do, and that’s great. I teach world tae kwon do, which is different than the forms you were using, and you’re still pretty battered, so I hesitate to teach you right now. But I suspect in a fight with an attacker you’ll be able to injure him and get away.”

Elle nodded. “Okay. Thank you. I feel better knowing that.”

Bendy Wendy didn’t question her. “When you’re recovered, if you want a refresher class, give me a call and we’ll set up a private lesson.”

Elle came to Bendy Wendy and shook her hand again, and Adam took note of the height difference, thought of the added self-defense challenges of being five foot three and said, “A refresher class is a good idea.”

Wendy had satisfied herself about Elle’s proficiency. Now she addressed the question that concerned her personally. “Adam, do you have any thoughts about yesterday’s shooting? Anything you can share?”

“It’s worrisome.”

Elle smiled at his brevity.

Wendy continued. “Did you hear that law enforcement searched for the sniper’s location and found trampled grass, but no shell casing and no sign of a vehicle in the vicinity?”

“Gothic’s neighborhood social media page reported that.”

“If that spot in the grass was where he stood, the shot was two hundred and fifty yards!” She flung her hand in the direction of the sniper’s location.

“I saw that, too.”

Bendy Wendy calmed under his low-key tone. “The sheriff released the scene this morning, and now every person around Gothic who owns a metal detector is headed up there to scan for the casing.”

“I don’t think that’s particularly safe.” Adam glanced toward town and imagined the buzz of excitement as everyone joined in the search.

“How do we stay safe from a sniper except by apprehending him?” Wendy demanded.

“I will repeat what law enforcement no doubt has said. Civilians apprehending a sniper is unlikely, and civilians apprehending a sniper without being hurt is highly unlikely. Somebody’s going to get hurt.”

“I know, you’re right, but I don’t like jumping when someone pops their bubble gum.” Bendy Wendy leaned close. “Do you think Rune was the target?”

“Without knowing who the sniper is, how do we tell?”