Lamar pulled Parker to the ditch and pushed his friend to the ground, then followed suit.

  The side of the helicopter sparkled for a moment, then the ship seemed to lose control and arc over the house to crash somewhere in the distance.

  Bullets hit near them, then all went silent while the men in the helicopter struggled to survive.

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  “They shot at us,” Parker said in amazement, aware for the first time of the Sheriff’s weight on his back. “Get off.”

  There was no answer or movement from Lamar.

  Pushing his hands into the dirt, Parker rolled and forced Lamar from his back.

  Sitting up, he looked at the Sheriff and saw the man he had known and respected was dead. A bullet had found its mark, hitting Lamar in the head.

  Staring at the body of his friend, Parker never heard the wave as it approached.