cook,” Molly said. “And I got bored. So I made you a casserole.”
“Is it any good?” Jesse said.
“I’m of Irish Catholic heritage,” Molly said.
“Oh, well,” Jesse said.
Without taking her eyes from the television battle, Amber said, “What kind of casserole?”
“American chop suey,” Molly said.
“Ick,” Amber said. “What’s that made of.”
“Macaroni and stuff,” Jesse said. “If you don’t like it we’ll make you a sandwich.”
“I want peanut butter,” Amber said. “And a Coke.”
“Sure,” Jesse said.
When Jenn arrived, Molly left. Jesse and Jenn took their drinks out onto the balcony and sat together. Amber hung around sometimes with them, sometimes in the living room with the door open. Partly with them, partly not. Jesse thought they could probably chart Amber’s feelings about them by her proximity to the balcony.
“I’ve found out some things,” Jenn said.
Jesse nodded. It had become domestic, coming home from work, having a drink before dinner with Jenn. Kid lingering near them. Sleeping on the couch, on the other hand, was not so domestic.
“The title to the Crowne estate is a little complicated,” Jenn said.
“Uh-huh.”
“The estate was originally built by a man named Herschel Crowne,” Jenn said. “When he died it was left to his son, Archibald Crowne. At his death, Archibald left it in trust for the benefit of some disadvantaged children from Marshport.”
Jenn paused.
Always dramatic.
“Being the ones now using the facility,” Jesse said.
Jenn nodded.
“However, in the event that there was no use to which it could be put on behalf of these disadvantaged children, it would pass on to his only heir, his daughter, Miriam Crowne…who is married to a man named Alex Fiedler.”
“Aha,” Jesse said. “Miriam Fiedler.”
“So maybe her motives aren’t so pure,” Jenn said.
“The motives she admitted to aren’t so pure,” Jesse said. “Know anything about Mr. Fiedler?”
“He apparently travels much of the time,” Jenn said.
“Works out good for Suit,” Jesse said.
“What works out for Suit,” Amber said from the living room. “What are you all talking about out there?”
“The woman who owns the Crowne estate,” Jesse said. “She would benefit if the kids from Marshport didn’t go there.”
“What about Suit?”
“Private joke,” Jesse
