Nancy had the gun in her hand, rising from her chair.
His hands wanted to grab her clothes and tear.
But that's suicide, he screamed at his body.
As his hand went up with the intention of ripping, he deflected it just enough to shove the barrel of the gun away from him.
The shot went off, but he knew instantly that it had not hit him.
The gun fell to the floor, and with its fall, something else dropped away and he was in command of himself again.
Nancy sighed, and slumped against him, the left side of her breast suddenly glossy with blood.
Ed Michaels stared at him. Both eyes unblinking, just staring at him. He had only taken one look at the girl lying on the floor, blood all over her chest. He hadn't looked back.
"I didn't know who else to call, Ed." Collins said. "Sheriff Thurston being out of town and all."