That night, Stephan returned to the apartment building with Yennefer and Anna Mary in tow. They had refused to head back to their own places, insisting it was too dangerous to be alone with so many enemies lurking, and with the identity of the third player still a mystery.
In the dim hallway outside his door, they came upon Paulie the janitor, pushing Ms. Jackson's wheelchair toward them.
"Stop here, Charlie," Ms. Jackson said.
"It's Paulie," he snapped, irritation flashing across his face.
"Is this Stephan?" Ms. Jackson asked, peering up from her wheelchair.
"Yes, ma'am," Paulie replied.
"Goddamn…" Ms. Jackson rasped. "How'd you go from scrub to blockbuster movie star overnight?"
"I've been hitting the gym like a madman," Stephan said with a grin.
"I see you've got the swagger now," she went on, eyeing Yennefer and Anna Mary. "Dragging along these two hotties… If I were your age, I'd fall for you too."
