abrightboy | (Reply)

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Jessica responded with a dazzling smile and then looked at Malcolm, eyebrows raised.

Malcolm had no comment. He sipped coffee. Sunshine fluttered past Jessica and landed on the counter, hopping around near Malcolm's elbow. She gave the bird a look and then directed it at Malcolm, clearly an extension of previous conversations.

"She needs exercise," he said matter-of-factly. "Did you come here for a reason or is this a driveby criticism of my general lifestyle?" he asked. "Because we have to leave soon."

"Actually," she said, her gaze taking in Malcolm and then Raylan in turn, "I've purchased a table at a major charity gala for tomorrow night and I'm looking for people to sit at it. You're both welcome," she told them, her gaze lingering on Raylan. She'd gotten less sass from him.

Malcolm put his coffee down and carefully picked up the parakeet, taking her back to her cage and shutting the door behind her.

"I don't know if this case will be solved yet, Mother," he said as he did so. "We might be working. And if it is solved by then, I'm sure Raylan will want to go home."

"And I'm sure Raylan can speak for himself," she said, turning the full force of her gaze and expectation on him.