Could she use layers of cardboard to create elevation?
Amara talked faster with every answer.
Marcus stood by the stove and watched.
He remembered Renee doing the same thing.
Not because Caroline resembled her.
She did not.
Renee filled a room quickly.
Caroline entered like she was checking whether she was allowed to take up space.
But both women had one thing in common.
They made Amara feel interesting.
Marcus sat down.
Caroline looked at him.
“Your eggs are getting cold.”
“I usually eat standing.”
“That explains several things.”
“Such as?”
“I’m still collecting evidence.”
Amara laughed.
Marcus looked at both of them and experienced a sudden, painful feeling of normalcy.
It felt dangerous.
After Amara left for summer day camp, Marcus walked her to the bus stop.
When he returned, Caroline was washing dishes.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you doing it?”
“Because you let me sleep here.”
“You don’t owe me.”
Caroline shut off the water.
“You really hate people owing each other.”
Marcus leaned against the counter.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because debt gets complicated.”
“Sometimes it’s not debt.”
She dried her hands.
“Sometimes people just take turns.”
Marcus did not answer.
Caroline glanced toward the window facing her house.
“I called two HVAC companies.”
“And?”
“One said Friday.”
“It’s Monday.”
“I know.”
“The second said Wednesday and quoted me twenty-eight hundred dollars before even seeing the unit.”
Marcus frowned.
“For what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Exactly.”
She pointed at him.
“You do this for a living.”
“I work for a company.”
“So?”
“I don’t take side jobs.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have time.”
“You work days.”
“And security nights.”
Caroline stopped.
“You have two jobs?”
Marcus nodded.
“How often?”
“Three nights a week.”
“And Amara?”
“Mrs. Patterson down the street stays with her.”
Caroline stared.
“How long have you been doing that?”
“Three years.”
She did the math.
Marcus could see it happen.
Renee died three years ago.
The second job started three years ago.
Caroline lowered her voice.
“That’s a lot.”
“It pays the bills.”
“And when do you sleep?”
Marcus looked at the broken condenser motor on the table.
“Eventually.”
Caroline smiled sadly.
“Will you at least look at mine?”
“Caroline.”
“I’ll pay you.”
“I said no side jobs.”
“You also said that company quote is ridiculous.”
“It is.”
“So save me from being robbed.”
“I thought we established I didn’t save people.”
“Fine.”
She smiled.
“Prevent me from being professionally inconvenienced.”
Marcus shook his head.
“I’ll look.”
“That’s a yes.”
“It’s a look.”
“Progress.”
The capacitor was dead.
Nothing else.
Marcus found the failed part in less than five minutes.