I scrambled backward, my back scraping against the baseboard.
The knife tip drove straight toward my face.
The old rug beneath me shouted.
"Don't dodge! Press that raised piece of wood above your head! Do it now!"
I raised my left hand and felt around the bed frame above me. My fingertips brushed against rough grain, then hit a hard knot. I pushed up with everything I had.
A dull click sounded. That knot was connected to a whole square panel, about a foot across, that flipped open.
Something heavy dropped from the hidden compartment and landed right on the man's wrist.
The knife clattered to the tile floor with a sharp ring.
I caught what fell. It was a red cloth bundle wrapped in several rounds of rope, stained with dark black blotches.
The man grabbed at my hair, clutching his w
