Duncan lay asleep on the floor outside of Mari’s closed bedroom door. The knob twisted and the door to the apartment gently opened. A floorboard gave way with a creak. In an instant, Duncan clamped a tight hold onto an ankle and gave it a yank. A large body fell to the floor with a thud. After a scuffle, Duncan held the intruder pinned down with a dirk poised at his throat.
“Duncan, it’s Charlie.”
“Dammit, Duncan!” said Alex, as he gripped Duncan’s wrist.
“Dammit yourself! You woke me from a sound sleep,” Duncan complained as he released Charlie with a shove, and returned his dirk to his belt.
Charlie lifted a brow. “Did I, now? I had plans for my own peaceful slumber just before you threw me to the floor.” He sat up holding his shoulder and rotating and extending his arm for dramatic
