Mimi Lee Gets a Clue

by Jennifer J. Chow

  More words appeared. “This is how it will feel to play with Posy.”

  The sharp smell of clover filled my senses. Warm rays of friendly sunshine caressed my face.

  The screen started enlarging and wrapping around the walls. A brilliant blue sky with ethereal clouds displayed above me. I caught a bouncing motion near the bottom of the booth. Looking down, I realized that the ground had transformed into a field of clover.

  Posy hopped closer. He paused before me, as though waiting for me to reach out. The bunny twitched his nose at me. My heart melted. I bent down, and my fingers reached toward Posy’s velvet fur.

  Again, the same words appeared on-screen: “Adopt me today.” Contact details followed.

  Darkness covered the screen. It retracted to a normal size, and the door slid open. I stepped out and blinked at the bright office lights.

  Turning to Stacy, I said, “That video really drew me in. I forgot I was even in a booth.”

  “The 4-D experience practically teleports you, right?”

  I nodded, unable to encapsulate my thoughts into words.

  “We could make some 4-D videos of your little rescue dogs right in this building,” Stacy said. “Then, using the material, we’ll be able to set up the other prototype pods for the public to enjoy.”

  “Definitely. The more that word gets out about those puppies, the quicker they’ll be adopted.”

  “There’s only one hiccup.” Stacy bit the tip of her pinky nail. “It’s such new technology that we’re still searching for a stellar legal consultant to double-check and make sure our patent paperwork is in order.”

  A happy smile spread across my face. “Well, you’re in luck,” I said. “I think I have the perfect contact for you.”

  CHAPTER

  thirty-five

  THE APP MUST have worked its magic, because Magnus soon called me up to say three dogs had been adopted. In fact, he invited me to watch them meet their new owners on Saturday.

  I had several errands scheduled for that same day, but I went first to Magnus Cooper’s house. He stood on his porch with the PetTwin founder by his side. Marshmallow and I joined them, greeting the new owners with unbridled enthusiasm as they came to pick up their new pets.

  Sparky, Tigre, and one of their littermates were all swooped up. I didn’t need Marshmallow to translate the puppies’ happy vibes. Their tails wagged as they each went off with their respective owners: a smiling family, two kind-looking spinster ladies, and a burly fireman.

  After the new owners and their animals had left, Stacy turned to me. “What a success, Mimi. Can you imagine how many more potential owners the 4-D experience will draw in?”

  “I take it that the legal consultant worked out for you.”

  She nodded. “Josh Akana and the whole team at Murphy, Sullivan, and Goodwin have ensured an airtight patent application on our technology.”

  “I know they’re top-notch.” I’d referred Josh without telling him. He didn’t know I had intervened, and I hoped the new collaboration had been a pleasant surprise.

  Stacy continued, “We’ll be creating more 4-D units soon. A few organizations have requested models from us, and there’s growing buzz. I think we’ll be establishing a long-term relationship with the Goodwin law firm.”

  Did that mean Josh had now secured a steady client? I couldn’t wait to find out.

  After Stacy had left, I excused myself and stepped to the far edge of the porch to dial up Josh. He answered at once. “How’s work going nowadays?” I said.

  “Super, and you would know.”

  “You found out I was involved?”

  He chuckled. “The founder mentioned a Miss Lee had referred us to collaborate with PetTwin. I’m really enjoying the new work.”

  “Since things are stable at the law firm,” I said, “will that mean a less extreme schedule for you?”

  “I know what you’re trying to get at, Mimi.” His voice took on a gentle tone. “Yes, we’ll have more time to see each other.”

  I flushed but felt pleased he’d gotten my hint.

  He continued, “Actually, my schedule’s freer already. I even had the chance to dig into Tammy’s lawsuit again. Looks like her case against Russ Nolan got dismissed.”

  I glanced down the street. Russ Nolan’s neighborhood wasn’t too far from here. My voice quieted. “Yeah, it didn’t go through because he died.”

  “No, actually.” Josh cleared his throat. “The fine print on the original contract between him and Tammy banned any suing. Her attorney should never have filed the lawsuit in the first place.”

  “Guess she should’ve hired you. You would never have made that kind of mistake.”

  A grin crept into his voice. “I don’t represent just anybody. And you, Mimi, are always my number one client.”

  I hung up with Josh and felt so elated that I did a jig on the porch. The PetTwin collaboration turned out to be a win-win for everyone involved. Dogs got adopted. PetTwin advanced its amazing technology. Josh fared better at his workplace. And I earned extra face-to-face time with my intelligent lawyer boyfriend.

  Brimming over with gratitude, I decided to channel some of that positivity to someone who lived nearby. Besides, I had time before my appointment with Indira, the next scheduled visit of the day.

  I wanted to drop by Shirl’s house because I hadn’t gotten around to thanking her when I’d visited the neighborhood last time. I’d been too focused on figuring out more details about the cash-filled cereal box by chatting up Henry. And I’d been distracted by watching the two neighbors meet each other for the first time.

  “You can do a trick to show my gratitude to Shirl,” I said to Marshmallow.

  He bristled. “I’m not a circus animal.”

  “Fine, I’ll say thank you by myself.”

  When we arrived at Shirl’s house and she opened the door, my prepared mini speech flew out of my head. Because Shirl wasn’t standing alone on the threshold of her home. She had company—Henry.

  “Oh, I didn’t mean to disturb you two,” I said.

  She held up a tub of buttered popcorn. “You caught us as we’re about to watch a YouTube marathon. I’m teaching Henry about new tech.”

  Henry fiddled with his suspenders. “Look what I got from Shirl,” he said, his thumbs pointing to the YouTube logo shirt he had on. It looked at odds with the rest of his traditional newsboy outfit, but he seemed pleased with her gift.

  “We’re matching,” Shirl said. Indeed, she wore an identical shirt. And instead of her usual drawstring pants, she wore a tight elastic-banded version. She’d dressed up for this watching extravaganza with her neighbor.

  Henry leaned close to me and whispered, “By the way, I took your advice and got Shirl an item she needed.”

  She must have overheard with her sensitive hearing, because a flush crept up her neck. Shirl lifted up her wrist and showed off her new jewelry.

  “Wow,” Marshmallow said, giving a mental whistle. “That’s a medical bracelet?”

  “Pretty,” I told Shirl, admiring the sleek silver design with its medical cross symbol. It even had a unique twist—an extra hanging paw charm. “Cute, a dog print.”

  “Cat print,” Marshmallow and Shirl said at the same time.

  “There are no extra pointy marks coming out from the pad,” Marshmallow added. “Which makes sense. Only cats have retractable claws.”

  Shirl peered back into the interior of her potpourried home. “Did you need something from me, Mimi?”

  “Actually, I came to thank you because you retracted your statement about the receipt. And, basically, for telling Detective Brown that I was innocent.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, Mimi. The detective pressed me for details about the night of the murder. I ended up telling him the truth about Russ Nolan’s female visitor—or, maybe, visit
ors.” She took a handful of popcorn and munched. “He kept asking me about the height of the last visitor who showed up.”

  “Sounds like he wanted a detailed description.”

  “He did. And he asked whether the woman had been really petite. I didn’t think so but couldn’t say for sure from my vantage point. It was pretty dark that night.”

  Marshmallow and I looked at one another. Out of all the recent female visitors to Russ Nolan’s house, I knew I was the shortest of them, at my five-foot height. Seemed like Detective Brown hadn’t let me off the hook yet. Instead, he lay biding his time, waiting for something concrete so he could haul me to the slammer.

  CHAPTER

  thirty-six

  TO ARRANGE A visit to Indira’s house, I used the excuse that I wanted to focus on our discussion without customers around. I figured she’d open up more in the privacy of her own home. Maybe she’d even let slip whether she’d known about Russ Nolan’s secret money stash.

  Without any extra pet owners in it, the house seemed more spacious and relaxed the second time around. Through the open French doors, I spied her sparkling pool.

  Indira invited me to sit on her microsuede sofa and then bustled into the kitchen. I made myself comfortable and watched Marshmallow curl up next to Ash on the Persian carpet.

  Tracing the rug’s elaborate pattern with his paw, he said, “Indira may be a murderer, but at least she’s got excellent taste in textiles.”

  When Indira returned, she was balancing two teacups on porcelain saucers. She handed me one, and I breathed in the fragrant milk tea spiced with cardamom pods.

  “This smells heavenly,” I said. “And thanks for letting us meet on a weekend.”

  “You’re very welcome. And you won’t find anything in the cafés better than my fresh-brewed chai.” She settled on the couch with her cup and crossed her long legs. “Now, tell me what’s going on with the pooch pouches in your store.”

  “Honestly, I’m not really moving much inventory.” I blew on the steaming tea. “But you seem to be getting lots of interest.”

  She gave a half shrug. “My excellent work naturally draws in buyers. But I admit I do have years of sales experience.”

  “If only I could market your bags better . . . What if I told the customers which fancy materials you use in crafting the pouches?” I figured that the fabric Indira used for her carriers might indicate to me the cost of manufacturing them. That, in turn, could inform me as to whether she’d actually needed an extra infusion of cash to make them.

  She sipped her hot chai, and I wondered how Indira didn’t scald her tongue. “I use all different sorts of material in my work. Polyester, silk, cotton, et cetera. It’s hard for me to be specific. Every design is unique.”

  The heat emanating from my porcelain cup seemed to singe my fingers. I perched it on a side table to let the tea cool down. “Maybe you could say where you purchased the materials. I could market your pouches as, say, locally sourced.”

  She looked into her cup as if its contents fascinated her. “I don’t think that will be possible, Mimi. I’m sure you understand that I can’t give away my creative secrets.”

  I edged closer to her. “Come on, you can tell me something. One businesswoman to another. How do you manage to do it? Afford to make these luxurious carriers, turn a profit, and still manage to look amazing?”

  A Mona Lisa smile played at the edge of her lips.

  Indira didn’t seem to want to spill. I nudged Marshmallow’s tail with the tip of my foot. Maybe a little feline snooping could help me understand her creative processes better.

  Marshmallow purred at Ash. They set off together, with the hobbling Chihuahua in the lead.

  In the meantime, I decided to try the chai again. Picking up the teacup, I sipped. The drink burned my lip, and I had to set the cup back on the table.

  Well, two could play with fire in this conversation. “Can’t you give me a tiny hint, Indira? After all,” I said, “I don’t have to carry your line of pouches in my store . . .”

  My threat lingered in the air.

  Indira pressed her lips together tight.

  We stared at each other in silence until our pets returned. Ash carried a half-finished doggie pouch in her mouth. A thread trailed from the side of the bag.

  “What? Bad dog,” Indira said as she tried to stand. However, she still had to balance her teacup, so I had the advantage. I sprang up and removed the pouch from Ash’s mouth.

  As I took it, I noticed a small neon sticker on the bottom of the pouch. “‘Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe,’” I read.

  Indira’s cheeks flushed. “So, you’ve caught me.”

  Examining the bag, I noticed a shoulder seam. “Did you make this out of an old shirt?”

  She touched the pouch and leaned in toward me. Her mouth quivered. “That’s my big secret, Mimi. This pouch and all my other designs? The material comes from fashion rewear stores.”

  I tilted my head. Why was she ashamed? “How very green of you.”

  Her eyes sparkled with fire. “A side consequence. My real intent? That I build my empire on the trash of the upper crust. Think about it: They’re buying their old junk again and paying me extravagant prices for it.”

  Marshmallow bobbed his head. “She’s got a wicked sense of revenge.”

  “Mm-hmm.” I nodded at Indira’s ingenuity, even though I couldn’t support her intense dislike of others.

  She seemed relieved to find that I hadn’t judged her. In her mind, maybe she even thought I stood in solidarity with her since we both owned local businesses.

  I pondered over the new piece of information. If Indira used thrift store finds for her carriers, then she hadn’t needed much capital investment to launch her new line of pooch pouches. I said goodbye to Indira and readied myself for my next stop, a surprise visit that might shed light on another possible culprit.

  * * *

  • • •

  I expected Nicola to be at home on the weekend. After all, she didn’t have a boyfriend, a job, or an easy means of transportation.

  Climbing the rickety staircase to her cramped one-bedroom unit, I reflected on Lauren’s comments about her character: Nicola had seemed morose after Russ Nolan died. Was that from grief, or guilt?

  I recalled that Nicola hadn’t wanted to meet at her apartment the last time. Instead, she’d asked to connect at a nearby café. During our lunch, she’d also steered the conversation away from Russ Nolan. What could the diversion have meant?

  Before I knocked on her door, I knew she was home. I could already hear loud singing from inside the apartment. Nicola’s soprano voice drowned out the soundtrack playing in the background. The tune came from a popular musical, but I couldn’t remember the exact lyrics.

  I knocked, and the music shut off. Nicola opened the door a crack and craned her neck around the edge.

  I smiled at her, while Marshmallow purred from near my feet.

  She blinked at me and didn’t open the door any wider.

  “May I come in?” I asked.

  “Now isn’t a good time, Mimi. I wasn’t expecting visitors.”

  I gave her a wider smile and said, “But I’m here to pick up your résumé. You said you wanted me to have it.” I’d known I would need a good excuse to show up unannounced.

  “I still have to update it,” Nicola said. “I can bring it to Hollywoof on Monday.”

  I cleared my throat and said, “Gee, I drove all the way here to pick it up. Maybe I can get a sip of water before I go?”

  Nicola gave a short cough and covered her mouth. “Sorry, I’m feeling under the weather today. I wouldn’t want to pass my germs to you.”

  Marshmallow and I exchanged a glance. If Nicola’s pretend coughing was any indication of her acting skills, it was no wonder she hadn’t landed any major roles yet.

 
I tried to peer over her shoulder into the apartment. “I thought I heard you singing a moment ago. Loud and clear.”

  “Oh, that must have been the radio.” She started a coughing jag. “See you Monday,” she said, closing the door.

  I turned to Marshmallow and lowered my voice. “What do you think that was all about?”

  “Something must be inside the apartment that she doesn’t want you to see.”

  “Could it be the money?” I pictured piles of cash teetering on her armchair. If she and Russ Nolan had been an item, she’d know all about his secret stash. Had she been singing with glee, having counted all the cash she’d taken from his house?

  CHAPTER

  thirty-seven

  TAMMY SHOWED UP at Hollywoof on Monday. She carried Kale in her arms and asked if I could provide teeth cleaning.

  Lowering her voice, she said, “Between you and me, her breath stinks. And I’d like her to smell nice for her upcoming leg surgery.”

  “I’m honored to be your dentist.” I rubbed the top of Kale’s head. “Tammy, do you want to drop her off or wait around?”

  “I doubt it’ll take very long, so I’ll stay.” She handed Kale over to me. On her way to the waiting area, Tammy halted. A look of horror crossed her face.

  She sidled toward me. “Mimi, I think my cousin Scarlet is visiting. Do you think you can help?”

  I wrinkled my brow. “I’m not sure—”

  “My Aunt Flo has come to town,” she said. “Maybe you have extra supplies in your purse?”

  Oh, right. Now I understood about those pesky regular visitors . . . that only women receive. Guess the same euphemism crosses cultural lines, because Ma also referred to her time of the month as when relatives came to visit. “My bag is underneath the counter with the cash register.” I pointed to its location.

  Marshmallow must have been following our conversation, because I saw him shudder. He crawled over to me and said, “I’ll tag along. Because sticking your hands into a dog’s mouth—not the brightest idea. Plus, Tammy needs privacy.”