Dunc pushed the doorbell a second time. Finally the door opened. Amy stood on the step chewing a huge wad of pink bubble gum. She blew a bubble and let it pop. “What are you doing over here at this time of night?”

“Hi, Amy. Nice to see you too.” Dunc squeezed past her and started up the stairs. He was halfway up before he noticed somebody else standing in the hall. An older boy, tall and thin, with slick black hair and a pale complexion, stared at him with dark, smoldering eyes.

“Hi.” Dunc smiled and waved.

The boy turned without a sound, took Amy’s arm, and led her into the next room.

Dunc pushed open Amos’s door. “Your sister’s boyfriends are getting weirder every—” He stopped short and his mouth fell open. Amos was standing in the middle of his bed holding a sunflower and wearing a long brown wig, sunglasses, a wild Hawaiian shirt, and bell-bottom pants.

“Peace, man. Can you dig it?”

“You called me over here at this time of night to show me this?”

Amos nodded. “Yeah. I wanted to get your opinion. I thought if I wore something from the seventies, Melissa would think that I was into that whole hippie love thing and be impressed with my sensitivity. What do you think?”

“I think you better keep trying.” Dunc looked for a clean spot to sit down on. There wasn’t one, so he stood. “Who’s the jerk downstairs? I said hi and he didn’t answer me.”

“He probably didn’t understand you. I don’t think he speaks much English. His family just moved here from somewhere in Europe. They bought the Van Helseg estate out on Hanover. Amy calls him C.D. I guess he likes music or something.” Amos rummaged through his closet. “What about a groom?”

“What?”

“You know, like on a wedding cake. Maybe Melissa would be motivated if I came as a groom.”

“Too pushy.” Dunc kicked aside a pile of dirty clothes and plopped down on the floor. “That guy downstairs gives me the creeps. Do your parents know she’s seeing him?”

“They don’t care. They were just happy she dumped the biker with the snake tattoo on his upper lip. Besides, they’re gone. They went to visit my uncle Alfred for the weekend. You remember him, the one who picks his toes through his smelly socks?”

“Hmm.” Dunc rubbed his chin.

“Stop that.” Amos jumped off the bed. “I know that sound. It’s dangerous. When you make it, it means you’re thinking up some way to get me into trouble. Besides, you’re supposed to be helping me with my costume so I can wow Melissa.”

Dunc stood and walked out on the landing.

“Get back in here,” Amos whispered. “The last time I made Amy mad at me I wound up in traction.”

“I only want to get another look at the guy. He reminds me of someone.”

“Why are you doing this? As long as he keeps Amy out of my hair, I don’t care if he’s a member of the Mafia.”

Dunc inched down the stairs one at a time. “Don’t you care if your sister is in danger?” he whispered.

“No. I care if I’m in danger, and that’s exactly where you’re putting me. Revenge is Amy’s specialty.”

Dunc put his fingers to his lips and motioned for Amos to follow him across the hall to the living room. Amos folded his arms and stayed where he was.

When he reached the door, Dunc dropped to his knees and peeked around the corner. Amy was sitting on the couch next to C.D., staring into his dark eyes. He kissed her hand and then slowly started to kiss his way up her arm.

Dunc turned and motioned frantically for Amos to join him.

Amos groaned, reluctantly crawled across the carpet to the door, and looked in.

Amy was sitting alone on the couch.