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AWLL3 — Book 2 — The Inner Circle

Last updated through AWLL3.2 ch 075.

Book summary

AWLL3.2 The Inner Circle spans Boxing Day 2000–September 11, 2001. Steve Adams stabilizes on Mayo protocols, works from home, and formalizes the Inner Circle (Suzanne, Leigh, Natalie, Jackson) while NIKA battles EB Systems, Anne Nelson harassment claims, and Robert Mueller's DMCA overreach. Francesca's runaway triggers FBI scrutiny; Frank Spencer dies and Noel Spurgeon is buried; Jesse commits to long-distance Joy; Birgit turns thirteen and survives a Vermont assault. María Cristina marries Mike and leaves; Hawaii reunites the clan with Mike Loucks; Holly/Jackson wed on Saint Martin. Matthew/Chelsea first intimacy; Steve serves on a firearms jury. Book ends September 11, 2001 — a second jet hits the South Tower; «the old world died, and a new one was born.»

Chapter summaries

  • Chapter 1 — Boxing Day, 2000, Chicago, Illinois — Post-Mayo lightheaded spell; Jessica, Mary, Al, Sofia, and Alejandra swarm Steve. Rachel wants dating freedom beyond Steve; cousin rules debated at family lunch.
  • Chapter 2 — New Year's Eve, 2000, Chicago, Illinois — Tatyana and protective officer at triad NYE party; Leigh and Suzanne propose ruby-ring «friendship oath» inner-circle commitment beyond sex.
  • Chapter 3 — New Year's Day, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Steve works from home three-four days weekly; Kitchen Cabinet affirms. Birgit school fight — Steve will talk to both sides, not blame teacher alone.
  • Chapter 4 — January 5, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit POV: Ms. Czerwinski pulls her after Civil Rights lesson; Tiffany complicit. Walk home with Jessica — Kara teases Steve's «women's information» secret.
  • Chapter 5 — January 7, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Kara abandons flogger wheedle; triad morning rhythms. Rick's Orthodox Shabbat karate conflict — accommodate at Black Belt Dinner if he accepts limits.
  • Chapter 6 — January 9, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Lyudmila and Yuri NIKA visit; Birgit must apologize to teacher and María Cristina's fiancé for disrespect.
  • Chapter 7 — January 13, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit POV: reads The Princess Diaries; Katy call. Kenny's «mistress» trash-talk — league may rule on unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Chapter 8 — January 14, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Leigh sauna; mental clarity after Mayo drugs. DOMA unconstitutional rant — Rap Session philosophy on liberty versus mob rule.
  • Chapter 9 — January 15, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — MLK optional workday; Clark honors King by coding. Libby asks how triad marriage and Suzanne cohabitation work.
  • Chapter 10 — January 21, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Blackhawks/Penguins game skybox; Nicole goal cheer. NIKA libertarian staff split — Sam progressive versus Dave Kallas conservative.
  • Chapter 11 — January 25, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Cancel Iron Mountain for Miyu and Darla weddings; Hawaii dates with Ashley and Stephie. Carla confrontation resolved without Rap Session invite.
  • Chapter 12 — January 27, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Amir/Yousef Khan lunch scheduling; joint sauna — Kristin's first bikini modesty at twelve.
  • Chapter 13 — January 28, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Leigh/Suzanne Sunday sauna with Kara and Birgit; teen pregnancy poverty lecture. Philosophy Club rename affirmed.
  • Chapter 14 — February 6, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Liz office check-in; Sunday Mayo flight after Rap Session. No exam boundary with former lover.
  • Chapter 15 — February 8, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Francesca runaway — Pete and FBI Agent Janet Temple at door. Jesse present; federal marshal protocol.
  • Chapter 16 — February 10, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Nicole sauna «what's fun we haven't done» game; age-gap consent lecture. Jesse penalty-shot save wins hockey 1–0.
  • Chapter 17 — February 11, 2001, Rochester, Minnesota — Naomi Blom airport pickup; two-night stay assumed. Police fitness standards debate — pull-ups versus job requirements.
  • Chapter 18 — February 13, 2001, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota — Doctor Clara Brown formal session; Mary relayed boundaries. Joy kiss negotiation — «lady doth protest» banter.
  • Chapter 19 — February 14, 2001, Rochester, Minnesota — Jesse POV: Joy consents to real kiss; Jessica's teen depression history shared. Parents know he's sexually active.
  • Chapter 20 — February 15, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse returns Midway — Doctor Brown dead-ends on April topic. Personality and IQ tests administered. Mikey trap game loss 1–0.
  • Chapter 21 — February 18, 2001, Apple Orchard Bed-and-Breakfast near Montpelier, Vermont — Katy Daytona with Bill Elliott pole; Birgit visit. Robert Hanssen spy scandal foreshadowed — Chicago CPD link.
  • Chapter 22 — February 22, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: Libby teases fifteenth-birthday orgy; Larisa birthday party. Dmitry hockey pizza — «grup» Jesse excluded upstairs.
  • Chapter 23 — February 23, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: surprise Kelly at Larisa party; power-play goal celebration. Saint Rita game tactics.
  • Chapter 24 — February 24, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: strip-chess precedent joke; Joy smells hockey stink. Joy agrees to long-distance girlfriend status.
  • Chapter 25 — February 24, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: Joy first sex — Chicago 17 soundtrack. Ed/Stephanie rift; car vandal Frick and Frack unsolved.
  • Chapter 26 — February 26, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse breakfast silliness with Don/Mary — Joy sleepover fallout lecture. Firearms jury voir dire — Steve's licenses noted.
  • Chapter 27 — February 27, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jury deadlock — Angela shifts to not guilty on FOID grounds. CPD officer lunch invite after trial.
  • Chapter 28 — February 27, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: Joy phone — Hunter S. Thompson alone-in-crowd quote. Foot-massage euphemism humor.
  • Chapter 29 — February 27, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Annita mentorship versus self-discovery paths; Elyse exception to committed-partner rule. Late drive toward Joyce's Cincinnati guest house.
  • Chapter 30 — March 1, 2001, Greater Cincinnati, Ohio — Annita «catch and release»; inner-circle nomination ballot proposal for Philosophy Club expansion.
  • Chapter 31 — March 4, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Bethany visit; Ed manipulation fears. Jesse Hawks MVP skybox trophy — 6–3 loss to Carolina.
  • Chapter 32 — March 4, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Marissa unexpected sexual request; Samantha father funeral Monday — Brian won't attend.
  • Chapter 33 — March 7, 2001, Greater Cincinnati, Ohio — Frank Spencer emergency surgery call; Steve races to Good Samaritan. Melanie and Trudy wait.
  • Chapter 34 — March 7, 2001, Greater Cincinnati, Ohio — Jerome's «inconclusive» EEG code; ventilator and brain-death decision looming. Pete confirms no spontaneous breathing.
  • Chapter 35 — March 11, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Frank unchanged; organ-donation debate. Leigh volunteers to counsel Steve then Bethany on father letters.
  • Chapter 36 — March 16, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Noel Spurgeon graveside; Samantha more hurt by Brian's absence than father's death. Maggie/Chelsea double-date Friday.
  • Chapter 37 — March 18, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit POV: Fatimah arranged cousin marriage — Birgit rejects dad-picked husbands. Joy shower «figging» idea from friend gossip.
  • Chapter 38 — March 19, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Father Basil lunch; Saint Innocent Orthodox drawings for new building. Philosophy Club on humanity and drug sentences.
  • Chapter 39 — March 25, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Viv (eighteen in a week) Rap Session invitation; Brenna briefed her. Fornication misdemeanor joke at teen rules rant.
  • Chapter 40 — April 1, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jessica weekday ER shift change proposal; 4:00am start for teaching alignment.
  • Chapter 41 — April 6, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Stone/O'Toole ex-FBI Costa Rica sting outlined; RICO asset seizure plan. Hold evidence for maximum leverage.
  • Chapter 42 — April 13, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Cindi fumes at harassment «guilty until innocent» tilt; Good Friday Oak Park mediation with Lee Edwards family.
  • Chapter 43 — April 14, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Triad insists on walking Jessica to work and shared bedtime. Hope/McDonald's manager credits Steve's «move forward» speech.
  • Chapter 44 — April 20, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Kara staged Birgit coupon prank replay — troublemaker training. NIKA «stakeholder value» ethos versus MBA shareholder dogma.
  • Chapter 45 — April 26, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Liz insists Lee Edwards harassment settlement — defensive optics money well spent. Natalie notes Marissa's lust, not love.
  • Chapter 46 — May 3, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Natalie chooses Moscow over Saint Petersburg; Steve accepts. Staff barred from Sunday Philosophy Club by summer — executives only.
  • Chapter 47 — May 11, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Paul Reynolds Star Light Motel partnership call; NIKA reseller proposal. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat family outing planned.
  • Chapter 48 — May 20, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit thirteenth-birthday planning; Kjell buddy not boyfriend. Extended family birthday logistics.
  • Chapter 49 — May 24, 2001, Milford, Ohio — Trudy lunch attraction after Frank's death; Cecily sheriff endorsement politics. Northrup dinner kerfuffle calmed.
  • Chapter 50 — May 25, 2001, Rutherford, Ohio — Trudy motel marathon; morning-after satisfaction. Karate tournament — Miyu beats Jolene; Birgit wins category.
  • Chapter 51 — May 28, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Memorial Day cuddles; Bethany relays Ed's frame-up theory — Stephanie skeptical of his planner capacity.
  • Chapter 52 — May 30, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Stephanie: Ed playing Bethany to reach Steve. Chelsea POV: mutual undressing discovery — sex unlike sauna nudity.
  • Chapter 53 — June 2, 2001, Aurora, Illinois — Chelsea and Matthew first sexual path (not Steve); Elyse's son explores intimacy. Birgit flies to Vermont with Katy.
  • Chapter 54 — June 4, 2001, Apple Orchard Bed-and-Breakfast near Montpelier, Vermont — Birgit POV: German guests Johan/Elsa; hike plans. Kara tracks Vermont check-in.
  • Chapter 55 — June 8, 2001, Apple Orchard Bed-and-Breakfast near Montpelier, Vermont — Birgit POV: Johan grope — Katy evicts family, Sheriff Don threatens castration. Jessica flies in.
  • Chapter 56 — June 10, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Philosophy Club 8:00am slot; Leigh pre-breakfast sex. Crain's/Anne Nelson NDA bluff strategy.
  • Chapter 57 — June 12, 2001, Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi — Stephie «leid» pun; Penny/Birgit prank. Nalani acupuncture grad school — Oriental Medicine MS.
  • Chapter 58 — June 13, 2001, Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi — Nalani asks how polyamory preceded wives; Miyu/Hisataka breakfast. Beach walk with family.
  • Chapter 59 — June 16, 2001, Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi — Mike Loucks/Clarissa Saunders reveal — chess-strip legend link. Nalani dalliance; intimacy beyond orgasm count.
  • Chapter 60 — June 17, 2001, Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi — Shower intimacy lesson; Nalani needs «regular boyfriend.» NIKA going-public vulnerability lecture to Samantha.
  • Chapter 61 — June 22, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Liz EB settlement dual track — Anne Nelson full complaint under NDA. Volstead/Braun/Lone Star evidence package.
  • Chapter 62 — June 28, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Nathan Edwards speakerphone debrief; Strictly Legal keys to Liz. Pool-party nostalgia — Milford neighborhood girls.
  • Chapter 63 — July 1, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Terry on Samantha's CEO offer; Glenn/Nathan due diligence. Khan women-only sauna compromise — Fatimah exposure tactic.
  • Chapter 64 — July 4, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Amir clueless about women's conspiracy; fireworks. Attic Twister party — Tiffany baby-oil joke recalled.
  • Chapter 65 — July 11, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Opposition research on discrimination expert witness; Bob «kept men» meeting. Natalie weekend affair negotiation with Birgit cuddles.
  • Chapter 66 — July 19, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Elena Altieri Berghoff dinner; Paola says hello. Teen pizza night — Marta sleepover request echoes six years prior.
  • Chapter 67 — July 21, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Pia/Marta — «May I sleep at Jesse's?» Swedish repeat; Steve assents. Marta grinding progression second night.
  • Chapter 68 — July 23, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — EB encryption-key legal debate; Sam surrendered code to Liz. María Cristina wedding — Rachel whispers appetite.
  • Chapter 69 — July 29, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Kara laments California research trip; tensile-stress data mismatch. Doctor Brown fantasy-versus-reality session.
  • Chapter 70 — August 8, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Lee Edwards suit won't settle; Stephanie's mediation rejection mistake. Twelve-item biography assignment — Sakurako, Birgit, Nick Evans tokens.
  • Chapter 71 — August 13, 2001, Saint Martin, Leeward Islands, Lesser Antilles — Holly/Jackson ask Steve to officiate Friday island wedding; Illinois form dated Saturday landing.
  • Chapter 72 — August 16, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit POV: Tiffany/Libby prank on Paul — Cynthia bait. Amir seduction-over-browbeat strategy for Fatimah.
  • Chapter 73 — August 25, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Birgit POV: Mrs. Matthews calls — circulated photo prank; discipline pending. Stephanie EB mediation board vote September 11.
  • Chapter 74 — August 27, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse POV: Birgit/Libby photo trouble; Paul rumor cruelty lecture. Hockey practice Monday — Lee Edwards's father new to town.
  • Chapter 75 — September 4, 2001, Chicago, Illinois — Robert Mueller FBI confirmation rant — Dmitry Sklyarov DMCA arrest. Triad agrees early bedtime; September 5–11 normal days end as second plane hits South Tower — «the old world died, and a new one was born.»