Case Histories: A Novel

Jackson sees Shirley Morrison, a new client, in his office. Shirley is Michelle’s sister and has lost touch with her, as per Michelle’s wishes. However, she now wants to find Michelle’s daughter, Tanya, and asks Jackson to help her. Jackson agrees, in part because he is attracted to Shirley.

Jackson attends tea with Binky, who insists on introducing him to her only living relative, her great nephew Quintus. Quintus is snobbish and rude, and he tries to one-up Jackson based on their shared military past. Jackson doesn’t take the bait, but notices that Quintus has an injured nose and thinks that he might be his assailant, but he can’t figure out why Quintus would hate him so much since they have never met.

He buys a sandwich and goes to eat lunch by the river when he sees the Land sisters on a boat. They call out to him and insist that he join them, and he does so reluctantly. He and Amelia are both embarrassed by Amelia’s behavior the night before, but he feels a simmering attraction to Julia. The three of them are startled by the sight of a naked man reading on the riverbank.

On his way home, Jackson’s brakes fail, and he crashes into a car.