Barb said, “If you can’t sign it, how about this: Once this whole mess dies down, we’re going to build our pool. It’s the obvious feng shui thing to do — the purifying nature of water. City codes have gotten totally bonkers, the zoning board’s been literally driving us crazy because they can’t grasp the concept of shared property and dual liability. They want to impose ridiculous limits on size, depth, are demanding ludicrous fencing even though all our kids are great swimmers and the whole point is building an Olympic-sized pool. Which will not impact the neighborhood because we have fabulous landscaping plans and our fence is right out of a Zen garden in Niigata, Japan.”

I said, “Where the koi are bred.”

She beamed. “Yes, exactly. We have a fabulous pond, show quality.”

Susan said, “My daughter’s on the Archer School swim team and needs the full lap length to work on her stroke.”

Barb said, “Everyone is way past the age where drowning’s an issue. We’ll even work with the lot-tie affidavit requirement. Though we don’t think it’s necessary. But we would like for you to exert some influence here, and smooth the process.”

“With the zoning commission,” said Milo.

“One agency talks to another,” said Susan. “That’s what Hal says.”

Barb said, “Have some big shot in your department or, better yet, the fire department because there’s an abatement issue as well — have someone call the head of the building division and smooth things out for us. It’s the least you can do.”

“That,” said Milo, “is feasible.”

Susan said, “It is?”

Her sister shot her a sharp glance. “Of course it is. When there’s a will.”

Milo said, “I’ll talk to the police chief personally. We’re having a meeting soon.”

“Fantastic,” said Barb, shifting her body closer to him.

Milo said, “Go ahead, please.”

Barb said, “Okay. When you called Sue and asked about that Bright person, she said she didn’t know him. Because she doesn’t. Neither of us do. But then we got to talking and we realized there was something that happened that we thought was a little creepy.”

Holding her hand out to Susan.

Susan said, “There was this person who tried to get our husbands to invest with him. Took us out to dinner at Cut — that’s Wolfgang’s new place at the Beverly Wilshire. Spent a lot on wine, very hotsy-totsy.”

“Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire,” said Barb. “Now we’ve got two Four Seasons, a mile apart, must be so confusing for the tourists.”

Susan said, “This person really laid on the sales pitch. Visited us at home. My house, because Barb’s kitchen was being renovated and she and Mike and Lacey were eating all their meals with us. Our husbands were still considering his offer so when we had the cocktail party, he was invited.”