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After inserting the key, I wiggled and shtly with my small notebook until the lock turned I opened the door, stepped inside, and froze

Terry sat on the sofa—the biggest piece of furniture in his sparsely-decorated living rooun at ht brown hair In his baggy jeans and loose-fitting T-shirt, he looked like a criminal scarecrow

A feeling of deva vu and an adrenaline rush washed through ht have taken serious defensive measures Thank God I didn’t have a weapon

He lowered the gun “C’mon in,” he said “Sorry about that” He set the weapon down on the coffee table

“Expecting guests, Terry?” I asked, after finding my voice

There’s so the occupant pointing a gun at you It tends to throw you off

“Good thing I’ on the sarcasm

Terry approachedacross his face He extended a tentative hand When I didn’t slap it away, he placed it on my arm

“I’m really sorry, Erica,” he said “I just need to be prepared”

“Prepared for what?” I glanced at the gun, gri someone up for an ambush?” Didn’t seem like Terry’s style

He waved a hand “Just a couple of knuckleheads who think I hacked into their syste theyan unannounced visit at some point”

“And you’re going to stay here and provide a reception?” I asked “Why not hide out in a et a better lock for your door?” Uh, who’s the real knucklehead here?

“I can defend ured, okay, fine, if you want to play it that way, let’s get it done with” Terry strolled to the door, locked the doorknob lock and threw the deadbolt securely into place Apparently, Terry had conveniently left that unlocked for his unwanted guests “But, forget about that Let’s talk”

“Yeah, let’s I tried to call How long have you ignored your voice e”

Terry picked up his phone “A while, yeah Got tired of taking calls frorinned “Sorry”