Bob came to minutes later, groaning in pain. He rubbed his neck, and slowly turned over. Diane saw the recognition in his eyes, and the groaning in his deep baritone voice began to sound more like a hunting tiger growling at its prey. Never taking his eyes off Denby and Diane, Bob arranged his clothing, making sure his pants were securely fastened again. �You�re broken into 200 little pieces, and she�s a slender little woman. I can take you both,� Bob boasted.

Harry swung the coat rack at Bob�s head, grunting in pain from his shoulder injuries. Bob caught the coat rack easily, ripped it from Harry�s hands, and smashed it on the brick wall next to him. He stared back at Harry and smiled wickedly.

�PCP, Diane. I think he�s on PCP,� Harry said.

�No, you�re just an asshole,� Bob shot back. He lunged at Diane�s throat with both hands. Harry reacted quickly, tackling Bob in mid-air with a huge grunt of pain. Harry started punching Bob, aiming for the kidneys. Bob blocked and dodged, laughing as if they were two brothers at play. Finally bored of his little game, Bob grabbed Denby�s left hand and found his broken finger. He twisted as hard as he could, and Harry screamed out in pain.

Diane found her bowling ball in the closet, freed it from its carrying case, and raised it above her head. Just as Bob was beginning to choke Harry, Diane brought the bowling ball down on the back of Bob�s head and neck. They heard a loud crack, and Bob crumpled to the floor with his second dull thud of the day. Diane helped Harry get up from the bed, and as they stood facing each other, they embraced, leaning on each other for support and friendship.

Cops from the 15th flooded the room, assessed the situation, contacted EMS, and another flurry of activity spun around Harry and Diane as they embraced in the center of the room. Finally, they separated, staring into each other�s eyes with an intense combination of fear and respect. A fluttering white movement caught Diane�s eye, and she looked toward her window. Her gauzy white drape was dancing out through a hole that had been broken in her window, right below the latch.

�Entry point,� Diane said, indicating the window to a crime scene technician standing nearby.

�Is every day working with you like this?� Harry asked.

�What do you mean?�

�Well, no wonder Jill left. You certainly cause a lot of trouble.�

�I think that together, we�re some kind of force of nature. Storms seem to swirl around us� You saved my life again. I owe you one,� Diane said.

�I saved your virtue, too.�

�So, maybe you�re not so bad after all?� Diane ventured.