Paul heard mumbling but the words were lost on his heart pounding ears. After several moments of nervous silence, the soggy old boards began to whine under heavy footfalls leading away from the door.
It was time to risk a glance. As silently as he could, Paul rose fully upright on his feet. He held the pistol pointed straight at the ceiling with his left hand covering its side, just as he had seen police officers do in tense situations on the street. Then he realized it was a foolish posture. There was a known killer on the other side of the screen. He needed the g*n leveled and prepared.
The footsteps left the porch and found the soggy dirt of the driveway. They were moving slowly, too slowly for a normal gait but too fast and too determined for a cautious retreat. They simply sounded w
