The Dark Gate. Pamela Palmer

hauling him off his victim. The woman gasped, coughed, then screamed when the man reached for her again.

      “Stop!” Jack lifted his gun to shoot him.

      “No!” the woman cried as she scrambled out of her assailant’s reach. “It’s him.” She pointed at the albino. “It’s his singing.”

      Jack aimed his gun at the pale man. “Quiet!” When the man ignored him, Jack shot him in the leg. The song stumbled, but never ceased, and the Pied Piper’s expression never changed.

      Jack stared at the uninjured leg. Had he missed? A second shot rang out and a bullet ruffled his hair. He dove for cover as another hit the table beside him. Were they trying to turn this into a shoot-out? Jack lifted his gun in the direction of the shots, and froze.

      The only one aiming for him was Henry.

      “Hank!”

      But his partner’s eyes had gone as blank as the others. His partner and best friend fired at him again.