Eduardo took no chances this time. His pistol was in his hand as he eased the door open and flipped the light switch. He was relieved to find that the table and chairs were gone and that nobody was lying in wait for him.
After he’d finished his customary beer, he opened the door to the bedroom and was surprised to find the room in darkness. As he fumbled for the light switch, he sensed a movement behind him. He reached in desperation for his gun but felt something tightening around his neck before he cleared the weapon from its holster.
He struggled to breathe as he clawed at what felt like a rope around his neck. Suddenly his arms were wrenched down to his sides as the person behind him increased the pressure on the rope, cutting off his air supply altogether.
He kicked out wildly and
