Stranger in Paradise

“What would that problem be?” Jesse said.

“The murder,” Miriam said, her voice full of surprise. “Murder on the very front lawn of that lovely estate.”

Jesse waited.

“Well, surely you see the connection,” Miriam said. “Once that element penetrates a town, then inevitably the crime rate soars, and the fundamental value of a beautiful residential town simply disappears.”

“Obviously,” Jesse said, “you’re not claiming that one of those preschool kids shot Fiona Francisco.”

“No, no, of course not. But once it starts, like the tiny trickle that overwhelms the dike…it’s a tragedy,” she said.

“Why do you think Fiona Francisco was killed by a Latino person?” Jesse said.

“Well, she was there on the front lawn, and obviously she wasn’t killed by someone in Paradise.”

“But you have no actual evidence,” Jesse said.

“It’s as plain as the nose on your face,” she said.

Jesse nodded thoughtfully.

“That plain,” he said. “What do you think I should do?”

“Well, first of all, close down that school. It will send them a message,” Miriam said.

“I really have no right to close down a school,” Jesse said.

“You have an obligation to protect us,” Miriam said.

“I do,” Jesse said.

He picked up the menu.

“What’s good here,” Jesse said.

Miriam stared at him.

“I’m not through talking,” she said.

“I’m not surprised,” Jesse said.

“Well, what are you going to do about this?”

Jesse put down the menu.

“I’ll tell you what I’m not going to do,” Jesse said. “I’m not going to sit here and talk ragtime with you. You have your reasons for wanting that school closed. But we both know they have little to do with the murder of Fiona Francisco.”

“That’s insulting,” Miriam said.

“Yeah, I thought it might be,” Jesse said. “Thanks for the iced tea.”

He stood and walked through the open French doors, through the dining room, and out of the Yacht Club.

38.

Jesse stood with Jenn and Nina Pinero at the foot of the long, sloping lawn of the Crowne estate. At the top of the slope the children sat on the floor of the big front porch while one of the two teachers read them a book.

“Kids know about the murder?” Jesse said.

“Vaguely,” Nina said.

“Press?” Jesse said.

“We’ve been able to keep them away pretty well.” She looked at Jenn. “Until now.”

“I’m Jenn Stone,” Jenn said, “Channel Three News.”

“Stone?” Nina said. “Any relation?”

“We used to be married,” Jesse said.

“Does that give her special status?” Nina said.

“Yes,” Jesse said. “It does.”

“I won’t bother the children,” Jenn said. “I’m just gathering background for a larger story I’m working on.”

“Didn’t you used to do weather?” Nina said.

Jenn grinned at her.

“Sure did. Want some information on cold fronts and high-pressure systems?”

Nina smiled.

“No,” she said. “I very much don’t.”

“No one seems to,” Jenn said. “Except program directors and station managers.”

“I would prefer you not talk to the children,” Nina said.

“No need,” Jenn said. “I have a lot of film from the first day they arrived.”

“Nina,” Jesse said. “Do I recall you saying that one of these Crowne estate kids had a brother in the Horn Street Boys?”

Nina looked at Jenn.

“This conversation is off the record,” Nina said.

“Of course,” Jenn said.

“Yes,” Nina said to Jesse, “there’s a brother.”

“What’s his name?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“The Horn Street Boys have a connection to the victim,” Jesse said, “and a connection to the school. And the victim was found on school grounds.”

“You think the Horn Street Boys are involved?”

“I only know what I told you,” Jesse said. “I don’t even have a theory yet.”

“I won’t give you a name,” Nina said. “I shouldn’t have even mentioned the brother.”

“Why?” Jenn said.

“Improving life for these kids is so fragile a proposition,” she said. “Anything can ruin us.”

“Like having the head person in this program rat one of their brothers to the cops,” Jesse said.

“Just like that,” Nina said.

“But since you know of the relationship, the two boys must have some regular contact,” Jesse said.

“Yes.”

“So it’s possible,” Jesse said, “that the Horn Street Boys know abut the Crowne estate project and maybe even about the local opposition.”

“Yes.”

“You think they were making a statement?” Jenn said.

“I have no idea,” Nina said.

“We’re not the enemy,” Jenn said. “We’re just trying to help.”

“That may be true,” Nina said. “But what I said is also true. I don’t know anything more about the Horn Street Boys than what I’ve told you.”

Jesse said, “Thank you, Nina,” and turned and walked toward his car. Jenn lingered a moment, and then said, “Thank you,” and followed Jesse.

“That wasn’t very productive,” Jenn said, as they drove back across the causeway.

“I had to confirm what was a very passing remark, make sure I heard it right, so I’m not wasting time with a theory that isn’t so.”

“Meticulous,” Jenn said.

“It’s mostly what the work is about,” Jesse said. “Keeping track of stuff.”

“I wonder why people like Nina are so hostile to the media,” Jenn said.

“You and Nina have different goals,” Jesse said. “Even in the best case, you are trying to get at the truth. She is trying to salvage a few kids.”