Sharon wandered into the living room while Cate tossed a handful of rainbow-colored sprinkles onto the cake top.

“Have you every wondered how Marty can afford this apartment?” Sharon asked Cate.

Cate pocketed her key and carried the cake out to Sharon. “Marty sings at the bar and at private parties.”

“Yes, but look at this place. The furnishings are expensive and the artwork is signed. He has two Andy Warhol endangered species prints in this room. There’s a Picasso series in the hall, and I remember when you took me on a tour… there’s a Miro in the master bath! He has a Porsche parked in the underground garage. He wears designer clothes, and he has fabulous jewelry.”

“Maybe Marty’s family has money,” Cate said, easing Sharon out the door.

“Does Marty ever talk about his family?”

“No. We’ve been roommates for almost a year, but we don’t actually do much talking. Marty usually sleeps until eleven, and by then I’m either at class or at the library. I come back to the condo, make a peanut butter sandwich, and I’m off to work. I come home from work and crash into bed. And half the time Marty isn’t even in town.”

“Does he have boyfriends?”

“Probably, but he doesn’t bring them here.”

They rode one floor down in the elevator, exited, and marched to Mrs. Ramirez’s door. They sang “Happy Birthday” to Mrs. Ramirez, ate some cake with her, and then they went their separate ways… Sharon to resume her surveillance of 2B and Cate returned to her condo.

Patrick Pugg was at Cate’s condo door when she stepped out of the elevator.

“Pugg was afraid he missed you,” he said when he saw Cate.

“I was just downstairs.” Cate unlocked her door. “What are you doing here?”

“Pugg came to visit.”

“I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Pugg can come back later.”

“Well, gee, I have to work later.”