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I STAYED ON my hands and knees in the middle of the street for just a few moments. I had to shake my head just to clear my vision. Where the hell was Trilling? I leaned down low and tried to look underneath the SUV on its side. There was no sign that Trilling had been crushed in the street. That made me breathe a little easier for just a moment. Then I saw a flash of movement and heard Trilling’s voice.

It was very clear and strong. Trilling shouted, “Police, don’t move!”

I struggled to get to my feet but still felt a little woozy. Then I heard the unmistakable sound of a pistol clattering onto the sidewalk. I hoped it was Doyle dropping his gun. A second later I realized that was one hope that was not going to be fulfilled.

Apparently, Trilling had surprised Doyle on the sidewalk after Doyle crawled out of the SUV through the shattered sunroof. Somehow Doyle had knocked Trilling’s pistol out of his hand. Now the two were engaged in a tense standoff with fists raised.

Trilling threw a right that Doyle blocked easily. Then Doyle stepped in and used his forearm to smash Trilling across the jaw, knocking him back against the ruined Mercedes.

Doyle stepped farther away and Trilling rushed him, then ducked and made Doyle throw a punch over his head. Trilling launched two hard kicks that left Doyle doubled over in pain. But he straightened up quickly and drove his head directly into Trilling’s chin.

I didn’t like the way Trilling swayed backward and crumpled onto the sidewalk. Now I was on wobbly feet but starting to regain my senses.

Doyle took one look at me and realized immediately I wasn’t a threat. He could see I was barely upright. I couldn’t get my left eye to focus. Doyle looked past me up the street, searching for his target, Jaime Nantes. He was a professional. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to fulfill his contract or just get away. It didn’t matter.

Doyle dashed through the spot where his SUV had been parked. He started to run. I thought he was running toward me; in fact, he was running past me. I couldn’t let that happen. I didn’t care how I felt.

I acted completely and utterly on instinct. I’d never had any training from the NYPD to do what I did next. Maybe it was my years watching the NFL. As Doyle ran past me, I stuck out my left arm and managed to clothesline him.

I was just the right height, and his chin caught perfectly under my elbow. It snapped his head back and pulled his feet from under him all at the same time. He slammed onto the asphalt with his head hitting last. It was as satisfying a sensation as I had ever felt.

As I looked down at the semiconscious suspect, my knees started to give out. I dropped to the asphalt and tried to make it look like I was doing it on purpose. I still had enough brainpower to reach over and snatch the pistol from Doyle’s belt holster.

About that time, Trilling was back on his feet. He stepped around the wrecked SUV, holding his chin and shaking his head. Blood had crusted along his lower lip and seeped out of his nose.

Trilling calmly said, “You okay?”

All I could manage was a nod.

Now I noticed the crowd of onlookers watching this drama unfold in the middle of the street. It had been free entertainment.

Trilling checked Doyle’s eyes to see how badly he was injured. I guessed his assessment was positive because he then immediately rolled the suspect onto his side and handcuffed him behind his back. It was a professional and nicely performed maneuver.

All three of us sat in the middle of the asphalt as two patrol cars screeched to a halt on either side of us. Trilling and I both raised our hands to make sure there was no confusion.

I recognized the sergeant who stepped out of the car to my right. She smiled at me and said, “I knew, when I heard your voice on the radio, shit was about to go down.”

I looked up at her. “Hello, Audrina. Do you think you could help us clean up this mess?”

“I’ll call in some help. And you probably need to see a paramedic.” She paused for a moment and added, “You all need to see a paramedic.”

It was like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I laughed and nodded in agreement.