I paced the foyer, Petunia padding next to me, my constant companion. But her soft counterpoint to my own pacing was comforting, despite the fact I still trembled just a little at the memory of the gunshot, being thrown to the ground, and subsequently hustling back to the retreat proper with the knowledge a gunman or woman prowled the woods.

Jill wasted no time when Eddie appeared, confiscating his weapon and locking up every other gun she could locate, Bill assisting. ...