The shotgun fired, the sound deafening, and the shot passed an inch from her face. She used her momentum to continue her pivot and swiveled around to face the other two attackers. They were only starting to move, mouths open to shout. Too late. She kicked the first between his legs, and he stiffened as if electrocuted, then collapsed to the floor howling. The third got a good punch to her face, but she rode the blow and threw him across her hip and to the floor in a smooth judo move. He rolled and tried to stand as Alice stepped forward and hit him hard on the chin. He slumped back to the floor, eyes closed.