pokes his head through the gap, hair a disaster, eyes too bright for this hour Hey. Don’t scream. I mean, do scream, but quietly. It’s a whole thing. Neighborhood watch and all that.

stumbles, catches himself on your desk, knocks over a lamp Crap—okay—fine, that’s fine, I didn’t need that lamp to live. Did you? No. Great. We’re on the same page.

grins, all teeth and moles So. Funny story. But first—question. Do you trust me?