“I wish I knew, Toby. I really wish I knew.”
He turned back to his reading. Melba went to the kitchen to get some hot water, and when she came back, he filled her in on the latest.
“Jon called. They should be pulling up in a few minutes.”
She eyed her brewing tea regretfully and placed the mug on her desk. “Okay. We should probably head on over there.” She glanced at her watch, grimacing at the time. “I don’t know where this day has gone. We can probably let SarahJune go on home for the day.”
“It is pretty late. You go on over, and I’ll tell her. Take whatever you need with you, and I’ll lock things up. That way, we can leave directly from Green Dragon.”
Melba placed her copy of the confidential report into a file and stuffed her notebook down into her purse before hefting it up on her shoulder. She took a quick sip of her tea, disregarding the teabag still bobbing in the water. “See you in a minute.”
Following her example, Toby put his own papers in a file and tucked them into the leather satchel hanging on the back of his chair, and added a couple of pens and his own notebook. He turned off his computer and checked to make sure she’d done the same. Then, he flipped off the lights and walked down the hall.
“Hey, SarahJune, you can leave whenever you want. I don’t think either of us will be back today.”
“Thanks, Toby. Have a good evening.”
“You too,” he answered, knowing the chances of that were pretty slim. He pushed open the front door just as Jon pulled up in front of the store across the street. He hurried across, adjusting the satchel so it didn’t bump around as much. He made it to the curb as Jon was stepping out of the car.
“Hey,” he said, noting Jon’s tired and drawn face. It was pretty apparent he was short on sleep and heavy on stress. “You look beat.”
“I am,” Jon acknowledged. “It’s been a rough couple of days.”
Melba made her way to the passenger side of the car to help Zhou from the seat. Toby immediately noticed that while Jon was ragged, Zhou Li was worse.
The small, exhausted woman gripped Melba’s arm tightly, leaning on her for support as she stepped up from the street to the sidewalk. Once they’d navigated the small step, Melba allowed her companion to set a slow space to the front door of Green Dragon. Jon hurried forward and unlocked and opened it, angling his body to allow them to pass.
“Where is Lindsi?” Zhou asked as stepped into her shop.
“It’s a long story,” Melba replied. “It’s nothing to worry about right now. I’ll fill you in on the details tomorrow, after you’ve had a chance to rest.”
“I have rested enough,” Zhou answered. “Please escort me upstairs, and you can explain on the way.”
Melba stopped, unsure she’d heard correctly. “You want me to come upstairs with you?”
“Yes, please.” Zhou turned back to her nephew. “Jon, you may leave the bag in the back room. You can bring it up in the morning. Please, go and find something to eat and try to rest.”
Jon nodded. “All right, Auntie. You will call me if you need anything?”
“Yes,” Zhou assured him. “I will keep my phone at hand, although I am certain it will not be necessary to bother you any further today. Once I am upstairs and settled, I will be quite all right for the rest of the evening.”
“As you wish. Please do not forget to call my grandmother. She will be anxious to hear your voice.”
Zhou Li scowled at his words, but nodded. “Yes, yes, I will call Zhou Mei, if only to keep you out of trouble. Now, run along, Jon. We will be fine.”
Jon gave her a little bow and retreated into his studio, followed by Toby.
“Help me with these beads,” Zhou instructed, waving a hand toward the strands of carved wood dividing the front of her shop from the back room. “I find I do not have the patience for them tonight.”
Melba dutifully parted the curtain, and watched carefully as Zhou stepped through. The old woman navigated the space at a slow, but steady pace, and her balance seemed fine for the moment.
“Would you like to rest for a minute, before going upstairs?”
“No,” Zhou answered, continuing her progression to the small elevator tucked into the corner of the back room. Melba hurried to catch up. Zhou pressed the call button and the door opened. She stepped inside and motioned for Melba to follow.
Melba stepped inside, noticing Zhou Li was using the small handrail for support. Zhou nodded for her to press the up button. The doors eased shut, and they were slowly carried upward to Zhou’s apartment.
The journey was a short one and the ascent was smooth and steady, with only one tiny bump at the end of the ride, which singled they’d arrived at the destination.
The door opened slowly, then Zhou Li stepped out. “Come along, dear,” she instructed.
Not knowing what to expect since she’d never been invited into Zhou’s personal space, Melba exited the elevator and took her first look at the old woman’s lair.
A small entry alcove opened up into what appeared to be the main living area. Melba could just make out a mixture of well-used contemporary furnishing and Asian antiques. Before she could take in anything else, Zhou Li interrupted.
“Please lend me your arm while I remove my shoes and put on my slippers.”
Melba obliged, and waited patiently until Zhou had slipped off her flat-soled shoes and snuggled her surprisingly youthful feet into a pair of embroidered slip-ons. “If you would be so good as to remove your own shoes, it would be appreciated. It is old-fashioned, I know, but my mother always taught me it was the correct thing to do, and I still follow her instructions.”
Melba toed off her own low-heeled shoes.
“I am sorry I do not have slippers to offer you, but I seldom have visitors. Now, please follow me.”
Zhou led her deeper into the apartment, stopping for a moment beside a large table whose surface was completely covered with stacks of carefully arranged documents and assorted piles of photographs. There was only a single chair at the table, positioned in front of a laptop computer. Zhou waived one hand at the work area. “This is all part of a small project of mine, one I hope to be able to finish.”
Melba waited, uncertain about the correct response.
“It’s the history and story of my family,” Zhou continued. “I worry that the younger generation will forget about our past. I hope to leave my work behind, as a legacy of sorts.”
“How long have you been working on it?” Melba asked after moment.
“Many years. It has taken me a long time to assemble all the pieces. There is still much to be done.” She gave the table another brief glance, before moving forward, deeper into the apartment. Melba followed, noting the framed photographs crowded together on the walls. Like the furniture, they were a mix of old and new—color, black and white, and sepia toned.
Zhou Li continued on, passing a chair here, and the back of a couch there. She occasionally ran her hand over the upholstery, reassuring herself she was home. Hesitating near the door at the end of the room, she nodding to herself then turned to Melba. “Would you please bring me the leather notebook from beside the blue chair? There are some things I would like to review before I rest.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and went through the door to what Melba assumed was her bedroom. Melba walked over and quickly located the requested item, then crossed the room, pausing briefly before entering.
Zhou was seated in one of a pair of chairs positioned to the left of the small bed. They were angled to catch the light from the room’s windows. A small table was positioned between them, upon which were placed various items. Zhou eased herself back into the chair, her feet barely touching the floor in front of her. “Just put it on the table where I can reach it,” Zhou requested, before removing a small pair of sewing scissors from table.
Melba shifted a few items and made a place for the notebook before sitting it down, next to the small, framed photograph of a man in uniform
. “I wonder who that is?” She turned the unspoked question over in her mind while watching the woman cut the plastic hospital identification bracelet off her tiny wrist.
“That is better,” Zhou said, rubbing her wrist gently with her other hand. “In their eagerness to make sure they would always know who I was, they fastened it too tight. Please have a seat, and tell me what has happened while I have been gone.”
Melba checked her watch, relieved to see she still had a little time before she needed to head downtown to meet with the task force team. She took a seat, and after collecting her thoughts, filled Zhou Li on what all had occurred over the last few days. When she explained the files on Grokov, Zhou tensed, then smiled, teeth sharp in the light.
“So,” she said. “So.”
Melba heard a world of meaning in the small, repeated word, and Zhou’s satisfied, predatory smile told her the rest.
“You suspected this?”
“Yes,” Zhou affirmed. “In fact, some of it, I knew.”
Melba waited, hoping to learn more, but was disappointed when the subject was changed.
“Would you bring me the small box on the dresser, dear? There is something I want to give you before I forget.”
Melba nodded, wondering what Zhou intended. She retrieved the carved box, and carried it back to Zhou Li. “This is a puzzle box,” Zhou explained, and she pressed a number of the carved motifs in sequence. “It would not deter anyone who was determined to get to the contents, but I have always found it to be amusing.” She opened the box and removed a small, metal ring holding three keys. “These keys are to the front door of Green Dragon and to the elevator. The elevator locks automatically when I set the alarm to the apartment, effectively locking access. Please do not lose them. The key to the shop is easily replaced, but the elevator key would be somewhat more difficult to duplicate.”
“I’ll keep them safe,” Melba assured her. “But why are you giving them to me? Surely, Jon should be the one to have them.”
“Jon has his own set,” Zhou replied. “I gave them to him when he first arrived. These, I give into your keeping, against future need.”
“But—”
“You may never need to use them,” Zhou Li interrupted before she could finish. “However, I feel better knowing you have access, as well.”
Melba accepted her words and the implied trust. “What is the third key for?”
Zhou closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, Melba thought her expression was sad and maybe even a little afraid. “In my closet, there is a small wall safe. If…if the worst should happen before I am ready, you will find instructions there. Jon also has a key.”
Melba gazed intently into her friend’s tired and lined face. “I understand,” she finally replied. “Do you have any more surprises for me today?”
Zhou accepted the comment for what it was, and smiled. “No. Those are sufficient for the present. I will save the rest for another time. Now, you have pressing engagement, and I will not keep you any longer.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you before I go?”
“No, dear, I will be fine.” She withdrew her phone from the pocket of her tunic and laid it on the table, on top of the leather-bound notebook. “As you can see, I have my phone. After you leave, I will call my sister, and allow her to fuss a while. That always makes Zhou Mei feel better. Then, I will do some reading and rest.”
“Do you want me to have Jon bring you something for dinner?”
“Now you are the one fussing, which is very unlike you. I am perfectly capable of fixing something to eat if I feel hungry. I will make a pot of tea before calling my sister, and then, perhaps, have a small snack. Does that satisfy you?”
“Yes. I know I probably sound like a mother hen, but you scared me the other night. I’m allowed to worry if I want to.”
“Perhaps, but please, do not make it a habit. Make sure you lock the door behind you when you leave the shop. I will set the alarm to the elevator and the apartment once you have had enough time to make it downstairs. I will see you tomorrow.”
Melba felt oddly reassured by the clear dismissal. “All right.” “I can take a hint.” She laid her hand gently on Zhou Li’s shoulder, and held it there for a moment. Then, she made her exit, not allowing herself to look back, even though she wanted to.
***
“Did you get Madame Zhou settled?” Toby asked when Melba joined him downstairs.
“Yes. I think she’s happy to be home and looking forward to a little alone time. How about you? Did you get Jon…settled?”
He grinned at her implied meaning, before shaking his head. “I wish. He’s pretty tired. I fixed him a sandwich while he took a shower, and got a peck on my cheek for my efforts. I wish he’d rest, but he says he’s going to come down later and work out.”
“That’ll probably do him more good. Being inactive must’ve been hard on him.”
“Tell me about it. Being inactive, as you put it, hasn’t done me any good either these last couple of days.” He waited while she locked the front door, raising an eyebrow when he spotted the small ring of keys. “She gave you keys to the shop?”
“Yes. And to her apartment.”
“Wow. That’s a surprise.”
“To say the very least,” she agreed. “Do you want to take one car or two?”
“I don’t care.”
“I’ll drive,” she decided before he could offer.
“So, what’s her apartment like?” Toby asked when as she pulled out of the parking lot. “Is it filled with all kinds of fabulous treasure?”
Melba snorted. “No, it’s actually very homey. There are some pretty good antiques, but mostly, it’s just like any other apartment. Lots of family pictures. It feels comfortable and lived-in—you know?”
“I guess that wasn’t what I was expecting to hear,” he replied, disappointed in the normalcy of her description. “I was sure it would be packed with statues and rare carvings. Maybe a mummy or two?”
“Mummies are Egyptian, not Chinese.”
“Whatever. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do, but it’s not like that at all. It’s just an apartment.” She checked her mirror, then moved into the left lane. “Speaking of apartments, Jon’s is different than I expected, although I just saw the front room.” She shot a look his way. “So….what’s the bedroom like?”
“Kind of like him,” he replied with a grin. “Sexy, edgy, and sort of minimalistic—except where it counts.”
“Toby!”
“Well, you asked! I haven’t figured out if it’s uncluttered because he doesn’t have any stuff, or because he likes it that way. He’s tough to figure out.”
“So is Zhou Li. It must be genetic.”
“Probably. Did she say anything about the night of the party? About Grokov?”
“No.”
Toby could tell from her one word answer that there was something she wasn’t telling him, but decided to let it be. She was a lot like Madame Zhou when she wasn’t inclined to offer information, and pressing just made it worse.
She pulled into the parking lot and found a visitor’s space. They grabbed their things and headed to the front door, meeting Thorton about halfway to the entrance.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he greeted them. “Looks like we’re headed to the same place.”
“Looks like,” Toby agreed. “Where’s Mitchell?”
“He should be here shortly. He ran home to get something to eat about an hour ago.”
He held open the door and ushered them in. “Anything new with you two?”
“A few things,” Melba answered. “I’ll wait until everyone gets here, though. Edmondson’s picky about that kind of thing.”
“Suit yourself,” Thorton replied. There wasn’t any rancor in his voice, just acceptance of the situation. They walked down the hall in silence, although it wasn’t hostile or uncomfortable. It just was.
Melba nodded greetings to a few fami
liar faces. It seemed like it’d been years since she regularly walked these halls. Her world had certainly changed over the last few months. They approached the small conference room temporarily assigned to Edmondson. Thorton waved them ahead. “I’m going to stop by my desk and get my things. Either of you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine,” Toby answered. “Thanks for asking, though.”
“How about you, Reightman?”
“No, I’m good.”
Toby followed Melba into the conference room. He waved at Agent Garfield, who was seated on the far side of the table, working her way through a jumbo-sized candy bar. He was surprised to see Dr. Thelma-Louise Bridges seated a couple of chairs away, looking over a file folder of notes. Edmondson was in one corner, back facing the room while he spoke into his cell phone. His voice was too low to make out any words.
Melba took a seat across from Garfield, and Toby pulled out a chair next to her. “Hey, you have another candy bar?” he asked.
“Is that even a serious question?” she asked, digging around in a large plastic bag. She pulled out a couple of choices and laid them on the table. “Take your pick.”
Toby nodded his thanks and grabbed the one nearest to him. He unwrapped it and took a bite, looking up as Mitchell entered the room, followed by Thorton. He mumbled a greeting around the gooey caramel and chocolate in his mouth.
Edmondson concluded his call and joined them at the table, taking his seat at one end. “Looks like we’re all here,” he observed. “Let’s get started. Mitchell, get the door, please.
Mitchell stood and walked over to the door. In the process of closing it, he stopped and stepped back, allowing Chief Kelly to enter the room.
“Chief Kelly,” Edmondson acknowledged, standing from his seat. “Was there something you needed?”
“No. I happened to run into Detective Thorton a few minutes ago, and he mentioned you were meeting. I thought I’d sit in and listen.” The Chief looked across the room, his steely eyes making it clear he was spoiling for a fight.
Edmondson glanced toward Thorton. Toby noticed the detective looked a little uncomfortable with the situation.
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