If she hadn't staggered, the bullet might have gone through her head.

Instead there's the pop of gunpowder and it zips past her, slamming into a doorframe several yards beyond her. She'll reach the buildings soon and have something to duck behind, and Tom snarls as the exhilaration of the chase turns to thwarted frustration. He has one more shot.

He hunkers down for one last attempt, sucks a breath through his teeth, and hopes she's too stupid to zig-zag behind the nearest home.