Levi scanned the ground but to no avail. “Do you have your phone with you?”

“It’s in my saddle bag.”

Levi analyzed the surrounding terrain. If he was right, the shooter was still in the thick brush thirty meters to their left. The open trail that led to the gazebo spanned the space between them, and a handful of young trees dotted the landscape but didn’t provide sufficient cover to mount an attack.

Conversely, their would-be assailant had chosen his spot well. Thick bushes filled in the space between a couple mature trees. The man was exposed on his right, but Levi didn’t have a chance of getting into position without someone to lay down cover fire.

Another bullet impacted the tree behind them mere inches from Cassie’s head. Their assailant was on the move, angling to get a clean shot.

Levi pulled Cassie to the ground, using the grass for cover. It didn’t matter if help was coming. They were running out of time. Another few seconds and one of the bullets was going to find a target.

Levi reached for his spare weapon and pulled it free of his ankle holster. “Take this.”

Cassie stared at the weapon for a second before she accepted the offering.

“Do you know how to use it?” Levi asked.

She swallowed hard and nodded.

“When I tell you, I want you to fire off two shots, roll to your left, and shoot one more time.”

“Where am I aiming?”

“That way.” Levi lifted his chin in the direction of the shooter. “I’m going to circle around this guy and see if I can get the jump on him.”

Cassie’s eyes widened. “You’ll be out in the open.”

“Which is why I’m having you lay down cover fire for me,” Levi said with more confidence than he felt. “He can’t shoot me if he’s hiding from your bullets.”

“Be careful.”

“I will, but if I do go down, fire off another shot, and take off that way,” Levi said. “Zigzag through the trees so he can’t get a clear shot.”

“Levi—”

“Please. Do what I ask,” Levi pleaded. He saw the change come over Cassie, the acceptance of what they needed to do. “Are you ready?”

Cassie drew a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready when you are.”

* * *

Cassie watched Levi push into a low crouch, like a sprinter ready for the starting gun to go off. She wished the bullets flying today were because of a sporting event.

Cassie took aim in the direction Levi had indicated, the weapon heavy in her hands. The thought that her bullet might hit a target gave her a moment of unease, but she reminded herself that whoever was out there wanted her dead. It was him or her.

“Now!” Levi whispered.

Cassie squeezed the trigger, her shoulders absorbing the impact of the shot. Levi sprang into action, and she squeezed off another shot.

Levi’s footsteps pounded. Cassie rolled over. Another shot rang out before she once again took aim. She fired and rolled again, then peered through the grass as Levi raised his weapon and took a shot of his own.