She smiled. “We’re all fine. I have to talk to you about something though. May I sit down?”
“Of course.” Sly led her to his sofa in front of the fireplace.
“Would you like some heat? I can build a fire.”
She chuckled. “That isn’t necessary, unless you want one for yourself and Morgaine. Is she here?”
“No, she’s upstairs in her own apartment. She needed a…” He shrugged, “rest.”
Merry smiled. “I’ll bet.”
If Sly could have blushed he would have. Instead, he changed the subject. “So, what’s on your mind?”
“Well, we’re not certain about this, so keep it under your hat…”
“Of course. What is it?”
“We think maybe Jules lied on his resume. We’re not sure he’s qualified to do building maintenance.”
“Seriously? What a weasel.” He raised one eyebrow. “Shall I go have a talk with him?”
“No. I’ll do that in a few minutes. I just wanted to ask, if it turns out we have to fire him, would you like the job? I was thinking, with your background as an electro-mechanical engineer, I imagine you’re pretty handy…”
A job? Right here in the building? Something I can do and help out my daughter at the same time?
“I’d be delighted to do it. And as far as building maintenance, I maintained the home your mother and I lived in for five years. Plus, I’m ridiculously strong. I could lift the dryers to clean out the dust bunnies behind them.”
Merry laughed. “No need to go crazy. I just thought I’d ask you first. You’d really be helping us out.”
“And I wouldn’t feel like such a freeloader. I actually came up with a part time gig—well, Gwyneth and Nathan thought of it—but I can do it from here. I distributed some flyers around the college campuses offering my services as a tutor.”
Her expression lit up. “That’s great! Since the super’s job comes with a free apartment, you’ll have free rent and spending money too.”
“Sounds good to me. When can I start?”
“Well, I have to talk to Jules first and I imagine he’ll need a little time to find another place. We won’t just kick him out with nowhere to go. Meanwhile, I’ll tell him about your wine cellar and ask him to leave it alone.”
“You know about the wine?”
“Yes, Gwyneth told me everything. Sly, if you can make a cure that’s great, but if you can’t…” She shifted uncomfortably. “Well, just know that Jason is ready to pay for the stuff from New York.”
“No.” He held up one hand, as if saying, ‘halt right there.’ “I appreciate the offer, but it’s more than I can accept. Besides,Morgaine is fairly certain this new batch will do the trick. It’s almost ready. I’ll test it tomorrow, just before sunrise.”
“Terrific. Would it be okay if I visit during your test? I’ll be up with Max anyway.”
“Why not? Let’s invite the whole gang.”
“I really hope it works.”
“You and me both.”
Merry found Jules, not in his own apartment, but in Lily’s. The door was wide open. He wielded a handheld belt sander and appeared to be trying to scuff the hell out of the hardwood floor.
“Jules? What are you doing?”
He whipped around and stared at her, wide eyed and open mouthed. “Uh, um, Mrs. Falco. I didn’t see you there.”
“I was about to look for you at your place but spotted you here. What happened to the floor?
