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knocking. Crap! Reggie wasn’t alone. He should’ve guessed that was the case considering how big the bag was that the kid had been carrying. There was definitely a woman inside the apartment. The door muffled the conversation too much to make out what they were saying, but it didn’t really matter.
    D.J. hadn’t driven four hours and risked his friendship with Devlin to give up now. He needed to get this mess settled so he could head back home and get with the program. He rapped on the door and then stepped back to wait.
    Reggie handed Cody a couple of plates and dug out some serving spoons. The rich scents of ginger and garlic made her stomach growl. Judging by the speed with which Cody was opening all of the cartons, she wasn’t the only one hungry.
    She was about to ask him what he’d like to drink when someone knocked on the door. Who could that be? No one other than Cody was in the habit of dropping by uninvited. She took two steps toward the door and then froze, oddly reluctant to open it. She didn’t want to be bothered.
    Cody looked up from reading the slip of paper he’d pulled out of a fortune cookie with a grin. “Want me to get it? This says that ‘The winds of change will comeknocking and the daring will profit.’ I’m not sure how wind is supposed to knock, but I could sure use a little profit about now. My tuition is almost due.”
    She waved him back to his seat. Her home, her duty to answer the door. “No, I’ll get it.”
    The peephole didn’t tell her much other than that the unexpected guest was tall and male. She slipped the chain in place and opened the door far enough to peek out.
    â€œMay I help you?” she asked before she got a good look at the guy.
    When he moved directly under the light in the hall, her stomach lurched as if the floor had just dropped out from under her feet. The Knightwalker’s avatar had come to life and was standing right outside her door. She blinked twice to make sure.
    The avatar was speaking, but the only thing she could hear was a loud roaring in her ears. Instinct had her slamming the door closed and throwing the lock, but that accomplished nothing. As soon as she did, a big fist pounded on the door and an irate male voice shouted her name. This time, from behind the dubious safety of her door, she made out every word.
    â€œReggie, let me in. We need to talk.”
    â€œWhat does he want? Should I call the police?” Cody was already reaching for the phone.
    â€œNo, that’s okay. He’s okay.” She hoped. “I just wasn’t expecting company.”
    â€œAre you going to let him in?”
    She’d have to. Damn, damn, double damn. What had she been thinking by toying with the Knightwalker? She should’ve handed everything she had over to her boss the minute the case landed on her desk.
    The pounding started again. The last thing she needed was for one of the neighbors to get involved. Besides, she didn’t want Cody to know who was standing out on the landing. As much as she liked the kid, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut on a bet. If he had any inkling he was about to meet the Knightwalker in person, he’d be blabbing it to the world.
    Reggie wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans and braced herself. As soon as she touched the chain, there was blessed silence. She slid it free and yanked the door open.
    â€œWhat a surprise, D.J.! I had no idea that you were in town.” That much was true. “Come on in. I’m sorry, but my friend Cody and I were about to sit down to dinner, so—”
    At least now she wasn’t the only one who looked confused. D.J. glanced past her to where Cody was now standing and then back to her.
    â€œYou’re Reggie?” he mouthed, his eyebrows arching high in surprise.
    She nodded.
    He let out a deep breath and then a slow grin spread across his handsome face. “Yeah, Reggie, I’d love to join you