I kicked off my boots, stripped off my tunic and dress shirt, then I stretched out on the bed. The mattress groaned as I sank into the middle but somehow I felt comforted being in my own house after all this time. I felt the spirit of my parents and brother and sister in the walls. As I lay back, a flood of memories entered my mind. Gradually, I drifted off to sleep.
Sometime later, a noise awoke me. I heard harsh voices down below. It took a moment for me to come to my senses. I'd slept longer and heavier than I'd wanted. I heard a deep voice full of anger and the feeble protests of Pyotr. I strapped on my revolver, then went out into the hall. I stood at the top of the stairs and looked down as Pyotr was being forced up backward, stumbling as he went. In front of him stood a tall, power
