Jasper quickly fabricated a story. "Yes, I’m an old friend of the owner. He bought the top floor, and I bought the first. Now that he’s moving abroad, he asked me to manage the rental of his place."

"Oh!" Elowen seemed to understand and smiled. "You and your friend must be really close."

Jasper smiled back. "Miss Halloway, are you... delivering takeout?"

Elowen nodded. "I work part-time delivering takeout occasionally, not full-time. I’m just helping a friend who’s ...