by Vivien Chien
“Is it doughnuts?” I asked.
She sighed. “No, it’s not doughnuts.”
“So, what is it?”
“It’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“Then why did you call me?”
“I don’t know, but aren’t you glad I did?”
I groaned. “I have to go; I’m meeting with Ian in a few minutes,” I said, looking toward the property office.
“Okay, good luck. I’ll see you tonight.”
I put my phone back in my purse and squared my shoulders. It would be the first time I went back into the property office after Mr. Feng’s death.
* * *
Ian was sitting at his desk against the far wall with his back to the door. He had stacks of papers lined up on his desk. As I walked in, he was shaking his head, mumbling to himself.
I cleared my throat. “Hi, Ian.”
He whipped around, looking at me as if he hadn’t been expecting me. “Oh, Lana, come in!” He rolled away from his desk and stood to greet me.
“I hope this isn’t a bad time,” I said, gesturing to the stacks of papers.
He reached for my hand. “No, no, not at all. I didn’t realize how late it was already. I was attempting to sort through some of the documents that Thomas had saved in these filing cabinets. I’ve been trying to make sense of it all morning.” He looked over his shoulder at the stack. “I think he kept just about everything he’s ever gotten.”
I looked at Mr. Feng’s desk, now covered in boxes. It had been the last place I’d talked to him. My heart sank a little and I remembered our conversation. “Well, I won’t keep you long, I just came by to tell you—”
“That you’ll have dinner with me,” he said, a confident smile forming on his face.
“No … I came to tell you that I’ll take the position on the board of directors.”
“Oh.” His shoulders slumped.
“If it still applies…?”
He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. “Yes, of course, I just thought…”
I looked down at my feet. “I still haven’t made a decision about that. I’m not sure if it’s the best idea right now.”
He turned away from me. “It came through the grapevine that you wanted to meet with me to accept my dinner invitation.”
“It did?” I had only told my mother less than half an hour ago. How could it have gotten back to him that fast?
“You know how this place is…” He turned again, smiling sheepishly.
“Unfortunately, I do.”
“But, still, no pressure. The offer is open whenever you decide to accept it.”
I made a mental note of his ability to be positive, whenever I decided to accept.
“I’m assuming your mother doesn’t know about the board of directors part then?”
“No, and I feel terrible not telling her, but it would have made it all over the plaza by now.”
He nodded. “Exactly. That’s why I’d like to keep this under wraps until Donna makes her announcement.”
“What will be your next step after the announcement?”
“Well, once I put together my excellent board of directors, we’re going to amp up this plaza with some fresh tactics, get the younger generation involved. A lot of these stores have been struggling and we need to give them a second chance. Breathe life into this old place.” Ian spoke with the air of a political candidate.
“I agree with that. But how are you planning on doing that? Isn’t it up to each store owner to handle their business?”
He smirked. “They need guidance, and we’re going to be the ones to give it to them. We’re going to be a real community.” He paused. “And this nonsense about raising the rent. That’s completely out of the question.”
My ears perked. “So Mr. Feng talked about this with you?”
He nodded. “Thomas and I didn’t agree on this subject at all. They’re already paying enough and we can’t compete with the other plaza. Before you know it, everyone will be out on the east side.”
So Ian hadn’t known that Mr. Feng wasn’t really planning to raise the rent either. I filed that away in my brain. “How did Donna feel about the rent increase?” I asked, hoping that Ian might have some insight on that.
“Don’t get me wrong. She’s a smart woman, but she doesn’t know a lot about business as it pertains to this day and age. Most of the time, she went along with whatever Thomas said.” He tilted his head back and the same sinister grin he’d had the day I met him reappeared. “I think she’s making a wise choice letting someone like myself handle this property.”
I managed a curt smile. “Well, I look forward to seeing how things play out.”
“As well you should,” he said. “Things are going to get really interesting around here.”
CHAPTER
15
On my way home from the plaza, I picked up a notebook to jot down all of my ideas. Everything was starting to jumble together, and Megan’s idea of writing everything down had won me over.
By the time I’d gotten home and taken care of Kikko’s tinkle needs, I had forgotten about the surprise that Megan had left on my bed. I found it waiting for me on my pillow. “You have got to be kidding me,” I said to Kikko.
A black book with white lettering sat staring back at me, How Regular People Become Private Detectives. A Post-it note was attached to the front cover: To help with Operation Dumpling.
I sat on the edge of my bed and held the book. This was absurd. Kikko put her paws on the edge of the bed and sniffed the book in my hands. “You like this book, huh?” I asked her.
She snorted in return.
“Well, that makes one of us.”
I flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Lying around me were my stack of mystery novels, a book on private investigation, and my blank notebook. I sat and thought on how I’d gotten here, and my mind momentarily drifted back to the day that I had quit my job. The montage cycled through my brain. None of this would be happening right now if I hadn’t quit my job.
Instead of taking myself any further down that winding road, I sat up and grabbed a pen off my desk. I opened to the first page of my fresh notebook and stared at the blank paper. After a minute of contemplation, I wrote: Who killed Thomas Feng?
Looking at it written on paper made it all the more real. In the back of my mind, I knew that Peter was innocent, which meant that the killer, whoever it was, was probably walking around the plaza positive they were going to get away with what they’d done.
With that thought in mind, I jotted down notes on the people who kept coming up in relation to Mr. Feng. At the top was Ian, who was gaining quite a bit from Mr. Feng’s death. After him, I wrote down Mr. An’s name because he had potentially gained something as well. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about the timing of his suddenly being able to keep his store. After him came Kimmy because of her outburst the day Mr. Feng died, and her odd behavior since. I added the fact that she had gotten defensive over having a second job. Regrettably, I added both Mrs. Feng and Peter to my list like Megan and I had discussed.
In a careless scribble, I added things that Cindy had told me about her observations of Mr. Feng. Then I added the information that I had learned from Yuna and Jasmine at the salon.
By the time I was done, I’d filled up two pages with gibberish. So far, none of it was coming together for me. Frustrated, I stared at the information I’d written. If anything, it presented me with more questions.
Disgusted with the whole thing, I lifted up my mattress and stuck the notebook underneath for safekeeping. No need to have that lying around. If someone were to stop over and accidentally peek inside they might think I had lost my mind. And honestly, I kind of felt like I had.
That instigator on my shoulder reappeared and asked me what business I had trying to solve a murder case. I was a server in my family’s Chinese restaurant. I wasn’t supposed to be spending my time trying to figure out “whodun
it.”
I told the instigator to shut up, my neck was on the line too. Plus, I wanted things to go back to normal. I’ve always been taught that if you want something, you have to work for it. So, with reservations, I gave in and opened the private investigation book that Megan had gotten me. Maybe I could learn a thing or two.
CHAPTER
16
The last person I expected to see first thing in the morning was Donna Feng standing right in front of Ho-Lee Noodle House. In a well-fitted black pantsuit, Donna stood holding her matching Prada handbag with both hands firmly wrapped around the handles. Her facial expression was contemplative, and as I approached her, I watched her gaze travel over the length of the plaza, her eyes moving over the skylights and finally stopping on the property office.
Without turning to me, she said, “Do you know, I haven’t been in that office since before Thomas died?”
“No, I had no idea.” A lightbulb went off in my head, reminding me that this information was important. “How long has it been since you’ve visited?”
“A month, at least,” she replied.
If I remembered correctly, Yuna had said the argument she overheard was just days before the incident. If Mrs. Feng was telling the truth, then it couldn’t have been her in that office and my suspicions were right. There was another woman lurking around somewhere.
She turned to face me, her lips curving up in a brilliant red smile. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m here so early. I have much to do today and I’d love to chat with you for a minute about the upcoming memorial.”
“Sure thing,” I said as I unlocked the door. “Come on in.”
She followed me in and waited for me to turn on the lights. As sections of the room lit up, she seemed to give the restaurant a thoughtful glance just as she had out in the plaza.
“Can I offer you any tea or coffee?” I asked.
She nodded. “A cup of oolong would be nice, thank you.” She moved forward to the nearest table and sat delicately on the edge of the booth, her back as straight as a board.
I went back into the kitchen and set my things on the counter. I pulled out a teapot and started prepping our drinks. In a few minutes, I had everything ready and headed back out to where she was seated, setting everything down on the table between us. I took the seat opposite her.
As I poured the tea, I said, “I’m sorry if you had hoped to talk with my mother, she usually doesn’t come in until around eleven or noon.”
She smiled. “This is the great pleasure of being the boss. You can sleep in.”
I laughed, sliding the hot cup to her side of the table.
She brought the cup up to her nose and inhaled. “I love the smell of oolong, don’t you?”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Lana…” She placed her cup gently on the table and looked me square in the eye. “I understand there has been some upset in the plaza recently.”
I looked away. “Has there been?” I hoped that my questioning around the plaza hadn’t gotten me into any trouble.
“I do have eyes and ears around here, and a few things have gotten back to me.”
I thought about the investigation notebook under my mattress. “Oh?”
“As I mentioned to you when you stopped by my house, I don’t blame you or your family for anything that happened that day.”
I glanced up at her. “I know…”
“Now Peter on the other hand … well, I don’t want to bore you with my thoughts on him.” She pursed her lips. “But regardless, I like to imagine myself a fair woman. And Peter has not been proven to have done anything … yet.”
“Mrs. Feng, I don’t think Peter would do anything like that, he just doesn’t have it in him.”
She held up a hand. “Please, Lana, you are no longer a little girl, there is no need to call me Mrs. Feng anymore. I would very much like you to call me Donna.”
“Okay … Donna,” I said, testing it out.
“Now, as I was saying, Peter has not been charged with anything yet, and as much as I have my reservations about that young man, I feel it is only fair that he be found guilty the old-fashioned way. Even if it means I have to wait a little longer.”
I nodded, unsure of where she was taking this.
“The general unrest in the plaza has made things quite uncomfortable for some. There has been a lot of bickering and gossiping. I can’t imagine that this attitude will help business for anyone.”
“I agree.”
“And from what I’ve heard, Peter has taken some time off work?”
“He’s been off since he was questioned by the police,” I admitted.
“I see.” She paused. “As you know, the memorial for Thomas will be held this weekend. As an act of good faith, I would like for your family as well as Peter and his mother to sit with me at the head banquet table. This will show everyone that I have no hard feelings and hopefully life can go back to normal around here.” She took a sip of her tea, and waited for my reaction.
“I would be honored to sit with you at the banquet. But will there be enough room for everyone? I’m assuming that your children and mother will sit with you as well.”
She waved her hand. “My mother has taken Jill and Jessica to California until after the New Year.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh?”
“She felt all the commotion was upsetting them unnecessarily and asked to take them on a winter vacation of sorts. I’m sure the girls are soaking up the California sunshine as we speak.”
I thought it an odd time to be separated from their mother, but what did I know? “I’m sure they’re appreciating the time away,” I offered.
“Ian Sung will be joining us as well. I’ve heard that you’ve recently met.”
I blushed. “Yes, I’ve met Ian.”
The smile on her face was devilish. “He is quite handsome for his age.”
I looked away. “He’s okay.”
She laughed. “I suspect that his interest in you is more than professional…”
Embarrassed, I looked up at her, but before I could reply, Lou tapped on the glass, causing me to jump a few inches out of my chair.
Donna turned around to face the door. “I had better get going; it’s almost time for you to open and I’m sure you have work to do.”
We both stood and made our way to the door.
“Please let your mother know that I stopped by and fill her in on the details of the memorial. Although I’m sure she’s received the official invitation in the mail.”
“I will,” I promised, unlocking the door. “Thank you for stopping by personally.”
She smiled at me. “It was my pleasure, Lana.”
As she turned to face the door, Lou opened it, holding it in place for her. He bowed his head. “Mrs. Feng,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Hello, Lou,” she replied curtly, and then moved past him without another glance.
I noticed how she didn’t correct his formality and thought that was strange.
Lou stepped into the restaurant, but kept his gaze on Donna as she walked away. After she had exited through the main plaza doors, he turned to me and jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “What the heck was that about?”
I shrugged. “I guess we’re sitting at the main table for the memorial.”
* * *
“Thirteen pairs of chopsticks are missing,” my mother said to me, her hands on her hips.
We had just finished the lunch rush and my mother and I were having a standoff in the kitchen. Lou stood behind her watching us bicker.
“I don’t know what you want me to do about it,” I responded. “It’s not like I can help that people steal stuff.”
“This always happens. If this keeps going, I am going to buy cheap wooden chopsticks.”
Lou nodded in the background. “Wooden chopsticks would be more cost-effective.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“You want
to pay for thirteen new pairs of chopsticks every week? This happens all the time now.”
The answer to that was no. NO, I did not want to pay for chopsticks on a weekly basis, today or ever.
She shuffled away from me and into her office, returning with a twenty-dollar bill. “Go to the grocery and buy new chopsticks.” She handed me the twenty.
I groaned. “Fine.”
My mother followed me out into the dining area. I left her standing at the hostess podium as I hightailed it across the plaza to Far East Foods, our Asian grocery store.
Because it was the largest in northeastern Ohio, and the main market at Asia Village, it was forever busy. I made my way through the shopping carts and packs of people shuffling through the aisles.
In the back of the store, there was a small section dedicated to Asian cooking utensils and dinnerware. Colorful plates with Oriental designs lined the walls amid rice cookers and cast-iron woks.
A neat shelf of chopsticks sat at eye level and I perused the options. There were so many styles and colors. I inspected a set of black chopsticks with a cherry blossom design at the top. I knew my mother wouldn’t want anything like these, even though they were more exciting than the vanilla-colored plastic ones she chose for the restaurant. They were your standard, find-them-anywhere chopsticks with the green and red engraving.
I picked up two packages and turned to leave. Because I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, I ran straight into the chest of a man who clearly spent time at the gym. When I looked up I saw that it was Detective Trudeau.
He grabbed my shoulders to steady me. “Careful where you’re going.”
The heat from his hands seeped through my shirt and I blushed. “What are you doing here?”
“Is that any way to greet someone?” he asked, letting go of my arms.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry, how are you, Detective?”
“I’m fine. Your mother told me that I could find you here.” He looked down at my hands. “Got what you need?”
I nodded and held up the packages of chopsticks. “Chopstick run.”
“Good, let’s get those back to your mother, then I’d like for you to come with me down to the station.”
