a single gunshot sounded! I was awake in an instant, sitting up as the wchoes e e died away; I could see my cat's ears pricked forward , listening listening to the utter silence that followed. The sound had been uff e === muffled, but clise o o by, I was sure. Nithing o . No shouts, slammed doors, no police sire s n , my heartbeat slowed as I lay there, thinking