Jessica

The mountain advanced on her, casually, scanning the room.

What the hell is that and where'd it come from? Damn, I'm starting to cuss like Alex.

Think I know why. How'd he get in?

Jessica backed away. She knew she the wall was just a few feet behind her. She put her right hand back so she would know when she was out of room to retreat.

Six six if he's an inch. And wide enough to block the door, not that I could get by him. And who's outside?

The mountain grinned, not as if at something amusing.

Unless the prospect of throttling a helpless woman half his size was amusing.

Jessica wanted to reach for the Undercover, but best not to show it yet. Only a close shot would give her even a chance. She put her left hand against the wall to brace herself.

Another step, and another. The huge arms reached for her.

She closed her eyes and went limp, falling on her right side. And then the enormous hands were around her throat.

Got just a few seconds before I black out. He's focused on my face.

She opened her eyes, saw the flat stare, felt the fingers tightening.

Now!

She got her hand inside the pocket of her jacket, grasped the butt of the revolver.

Don't know if a .38 is enough but here goes.

She struggled, moving her left arm to draw his attention. He ignored her. The gun was free now.

"You need to get the muzzle oriented," Alex had told her. "Push until you make contact. Squeeze. If there's not an immediate effect, squeeze again. You've got five shots, don't blow them all at once."

The muzzle was pressed against something reasonably firm. She squeezed the trigger.

Even muffled by their bodies the shot was loud. She gripped tightly. The mountain jerked, rolled slightly but not off of her.

But to her left as she'd hoped. The hands relaxed briefly, they resumed squeezing. But she'd gotten a breath. She pushed again, squeezed the trigger.

Her assailant let go, lost his grip and rolled completely over

She scrambled to her feet. He was on his knees. And now rising.

"Cling after the attack," Gordon had said.

I'm not close enough to cling, but I will be in a couple of seconds if I don't stop him.

She didn't look at the door. She might make it but if she didn't she was finished.

He gets on me again it'll be over quick.

He wasn't grinning now. A red spot on his right side, in the ribcage, showed one hit. The other one was growing on his left side, higher.

Not high enough. Maybe a lung if I'm lucky

He was up and charging, arms extended.

Cling? He'll be clinging enough for both of us.

She bent her knees, got under his arms. Felt the gun being pushed back as he closed, squeezed again. He staggered slightly, reached for her again. She evaded him, got to one side, then behind him. He was moving slowly now. As he turned she could the third shot was near dead center.

Maybe. Maybe. Fall you bastard.

He was still standing, but not moving. She held the gun with both hands now, in the modified Weaver hold Gordon had taught her.

I can hit him where I want now. But only twice. Fall dammit!

He fell, bounced, rolled over onto his back.

She moved to stand over him, staring into the glazed eyes.

"I hope you can still see."

Deliberately she fired the last two rounds into his chest, just left of center.

No idea where the heart actually is in something that size.

She realized she was laughing.

Hysterical. Calm down girl.

The eyes blinked, closed. The massive body relaxed.

What does Alex say? Fuck! Got it.

She heard voices, looked at the door. Put the gun back in her pocket and waited.

Lawyer. One word and one word only. Lawyer. We'll take care of the rest.

Alex appeared in the door, ran to her. Scott was behind him.