Wonton Terror

by Vivien Chien

  Since he mentioned his uncle, I figured it was a good opportunity to learn a bit about him. “Oh yeah, your uncle Gene, I heard that he moved here from New York. Must be a big change for him going from living in a Chinatown of that size to something on a smaller scale.”

  Calvin laughed. “It’s taken him some time to adjust, but he wanted to be close to my mother. Everyone’s getting older and sentimental. You know how it is.”

  I thought about my mom and Aunt Grace. I didn’t see Aunt Grace getting sentimental and moving to Cleveland any time soon. “So they’re close then?”

  “Yeah, for the most part. My uncle originally moved away because he couldn’t stand my dad. They never really got along.”

  “Oh really?” I asked, curbing the urge to lean closer. I didn’t want to appear too eager.

  “Yeah, just typical alpha male stuff. My dad and uncle would always get into it and my mom started to get really mad at Uncle Gene. She’d always say that he was causing problems in their marriage. So, my uncle decided to leave and let them do their thing without interruption.”

  “So what made him come back?” I could feel my body bending forward and I readjusted myself on the stool.

  Calvin drummed the bartop with his fingertips again, avoiding eye contact. I contemplated repeating the question in case he hadn’t heard me, but I had a feeling he did. I didn’t want to appear too pushy, and wanted to give him the opportunity to come around with an answer without any prompting from me. I finished my drink and excused myself to the restroom.

  When I returned, he was seated and positioned exactly as I had left him, it was almost as if time had stopped. As I sat back down, he took a deep breath, his fingers finally still. “No one knows this minor detail … so can you not tell anybody?” he asked. The tone in his voice sounded pleading.

  “Of course,” I said. I wanted to cross my heart or pinkie swear, but that was probably overkill. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “My mom was planning on leaving my dad a couple years ago. I don’t know all the details … my uncle told me about it. I don’t know if my dad was cheating or what, but my mom was ready to pack a bag. Only problem was, she didn’t have anywhere to go, and nowhere to turn. I mean, I’m a mess, Lana. I can barely take care of myself. My mom knew I couldn’t take care of her or anything. She didn’t want to impose on Ruby, and she doesn’t really have any other friends. So, she mentioned it to my uncle, and he decided to move back here so my mom would have some place to go.”

  My insides were screaming. It had to be Uncle Gene! Megan had replaced my empty glass with a fresh beverage while I’d been gone, so I took a sip of that and counted to five. I needed to keep it together. “But clearly your mom never left your dad, so what changed?”

  He sighed. “Your guess is as good as mine. Like I said, my parents didn’t share a lot with me. If my uncle hadn’t told me what was going on, I would never have known anything about it. They put on a good show for everyone. The model Chinese family. But they must have worked something out because my mother’s attitude changed out of nowhere. She told my uncle to mind his business.”

  Yeah, like his mom found another way to get her husband out of the picture, I thought.

  “Hey, where’s the bathroom?” Calvin asked, craning his neck.

  I pointed to the back where I’d just come from. “Past the pool tables on the left.”

  “Right on. I’ll be right back.”

  When he was out of sight, I waved Megan over. She held up a finger signaling that she’d be over in a minute. I was practically bouncing on my stool. This little tidbit of information could hold the final answers to my questions.

  I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, and then a gravelly voice asked, “Excuse me, Nancy Drew, is this seat taken?”

  I didn’t have to turn around. I knew that voice by now. It was Adam.

  * * *

  Adam sat down on the empty stool on the other side of me, and wrapped an arm around my waist. Pulling me toward him, he kissed my cheek. His face was scruffy and he smelled of sandalwood and cinnamon. “I saw Calvin Chow headed back to the bathroom on my way in, so you can drop the innocent act. I know you have to be up to something.”

  I gently pushed away from him and looked him in the eye. “How do you know I’m not catching up with an old friend? Calvin and I go way back, you know.”

  His green eyes bored into mine, assessing my facial features. “Because I know when you’re up to something. You get that look in your eye and you kind of chew on your bottom lip.”

  My hand flew up to my mouth. “No I don’t.”

  Megan approached us with a beer bottle in one hand and my fries in the other. She slid the bottle across the bar to Adam. “Busted,” she said, winking at me. She set my fries down, and pulled a bottle of ketchup out from somewhere under the counter.

  “What are you doing here anyway?” I asked Adam.

  He raised the beer bottle to his lips. “I figured you’d be here, so I thought I’d swing by and see what you were up to. You still haven’t given me an answer about your birthday trip.”

  In the thick of things, I’d forgotten about the trip. I hadn’t thought any more about it since he’d brought it up at dinner the other night. “I need more time to think,” I said. “With everything going on—”

  “Even more reason to focus your attention on something else … like a getaway. We could both use one at this point,” he said. “I know I’m looking forward to getting out of this place.”

  “Can we talk about it tomorrow?” My eyes darted toward the restrooms.

  “You mean when you’re not interrogating Calvin Chow?” Adam raised an amused eyebrow at me.

  “You can’t get mad this time,” I told him. “It’s not your investigation, remember? And who was the one who said as long as I tell you things, you’d be understanding.”

  “No … but it’s Darren’s, and you really need to leave it to him. Besides, you didn’t tell me, I—”

  “Shhh…” Megan hissed, tapping the bar. “Here he comes.”

  Adam glanced over his shoulder, and I pretended to act natural, by salting my fries. Megan walked away casually as Calvin approached us.

  Calvin noticed Adam’s arm draped around the back of my stool and pursed his lips. “This guy bothering you or something?”

  Adam snorted. “Hardly.”

  Calvin cocked his head at me.

  “Oh, Calvin, I’m sorry, this is my boyfriend, Adam. He just happened to stop by unexpectedly.” I winced. That sounded slightly unbelievable as I said it. “Adam, this is Calvin Chow … a family friend.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Adam said with a head nod. No handshake was exchanged.

  Calvin followed suit with a head nod and took his seat. “I didn’t realize you were involved with someone.”

  Adam squeezed my arm playfully.

  “Well, we didn’t get that far yet. There’s so much for us to catch up on.”

  “You guys been together long?” Calvin asked.

  “A couple of months,” I responded. I could feel my cheeks getting pink.

  “Right on, how did you guys meet?”

  “We, um…”

  “I’m a police detective,” Adam cut in. “And Lana here was under investigation…”

  I thought I saw Calvin’s eyes widen. He turned away, focusing on his drink. Finishing what was left in the glass, he set it down a little harshly on the counter and then drummed the edge of the bartop. “That’s cool. Well hey, I don’t want to be a third wheel or whatever, so I’m just going to exit stage left. Besides, I have somewhere I need to be.” He pushed off his stool, and avoided eye contact as he got up. “Lana, we’ll have to finish this another time.”

  Before I could say anything else, he rushed off toward the exit.

  Adam chuckled. “Third wheel … uh-huh. I think someone has a crush on you, Lana.”

  I turned to Adam. “Me? Are you kidding? He flew out of here the minute you said you were a co
p.”

  * * *

  Adam and I stayed at the bar for another hour before I decided to call it a night. He had an early day so he headed home and said we would spend some time together the following evening as long as nothing crucial happened at work.

  When I got home, I doodled in my notebook a little, making notes about Calvin’s behavior and the things he’d told me about his mother’s situation. Maybe he knew more about what was going on with his parents then he originally let on. Sure, maybe his mom and dad weren’t telling him anything of use. But it sure seemed that Uncle Gene was sharing plenty.

  Since I had to wait until Thursday to conveniently run into Winston, I made a plan of action for the next day that would involve me visiting with Sandra Chow. Once Anna May showed up for work, I would take some food from the restaurant over to Sandra as a way to talk with her. I just had to keep my fingers crossed that business would be slow.

  CHAPTER

  16

  Wednesday morning flew by, and before I knew it Anna May was strolling through the double doors of our family’s restaurant. She seemed especially confident today and waltzed up to the hostess booth with a look of satisfaction. The restaurant was mostly empty except for a couple of tables finishing up a late breakfast.

  “Ask me why I’m so chipper today,” Anna May said as she walked up to the hostess booth. She smiled, showing all her teeth.

  “Because it’s another wondrous day at Ho-Lee Noodle House?” I asked, dramatically extending my arms.

  She smirked. “No, little sister, because I ran into Henry Andrews today.”

  “Oh, that’s great!” I clasped my hands together in mock excitement. “Remind me who that is again?”

  Anna May huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re going to ruin the story.”

  “Well, I can’t help it if I don’t know who Henry Andrews is … did you guys used to date or something? The name doesn’t sound familiar at all.”

  She smacked her forehead. “No … Henry Andrews is a partner at Andrews, Filbert, and Childs law firm. He’s a very prestigious lawyer in Cleveland. Geez, Lana, stop living in that cave of yours.”

  “Ohhh, that Henry Andrews.”

  With an icy glare, she replied, “I really hate you sometimes, you know that?”

  I giggled. “Okay, sorry, sorry. Continue with your story.”

  Her face brightened again. “Well, I ran into him at the bank, and he recognized me from the time he came and spoke in one of my classes a few months ago. We started talking about my studies, and he suggested I apply to intern at their firm.”

  “What?”

  “I know, right?” Anna May sashayed behind the counter, stuffing her purse in the cabinet underneath. “This is going to be amazing!”

  “No, not right…” I said, rising from the stool. Mild panic setting in. “I need you here. What am I supposed to do without you? And Nancy is still out.”

  “Oh Lana, relax, will you? It’s summertime, you can ask Vanessa to pick up a couple more shifts. I’m sure she’ll want the money. I heard her tell someone she wants to start saving for some type of girls’ trip to Cancún when she turns eighteen.”

  “I don’t want to ask Vanessa, you know she drives me crazy.” I pointed to my head. “Do you see these gray hairs? I think those are from her.”

  “Lana, you have to learn some patience.”

  I waved a hand at her. “My patience is fine.”

  “Well, you’re just going to have to accept that I won’t be able to help out as much. I really want this internship, and a partner told me to apply for it. A partner, Lana.”

  “Okay, okay,” I said. “Fine, this is important, I know. When is this going to happen?”

  “I’m submitting the paperwork in a few days, and then I have to be interviewed by all three partners. Hopefully as soon as possible.”

  I took a breath. Okay, I could deal with this. Nancy would definitely be back at work by then, and Vanessa would have to be my go-to for extra shifts. “Well, worst-case scenario, I put out a help wanted ad, I suppose.”

  “Try to live without me, little sister.” Anna May winked as she stole my seat.

  I groaned. “However will I manage?” I turned to head back into the kitchen.

  “Where are you going?”

  “It’s been slow today so I’m going to drop off some food for Sandra Chow. She was released from the hospital this morning.”

  “Speaking of food,” Anna May replied. “Mom is requiring a mandatory family dinner tonight. We’re going to Bo Loong and you better be there … or else.”

  “Is the ‘or else’ from you or Mom?”

  “Both of us.”

  I sighed. “When you become a hotshot lawyer, you better buy me a Mercedes.”

  * * *

  Unable to decide what to bring Sandra, I went a little overboard. In a large paper bag with our logo printed on the side, I stuffed a container of vegetable lo mein, an order of Hunan beef, pork dumplings, three spring rolls, wonton soup, chicken teriyaki sticks, and enough rice to feed five people.

  From the plaza, it would take me about forty minutes to get there. During my drive, I went over my line of questioning. Hopefully what I was trying to achieve wouldn’t be too obvious.

  About halfway there, my mother called. I pressed the speaker-phone option on my cell phone, which was propped up on my dashboard. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Laaaaa-na!” my mother yelled into the phone.

  “Mom!” I yelled back. “I can hear you!”

  “You are coming to dinner tonight,” she stated matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, Mother, I know. Anna May told me earlier today.”

  “Okay, you bring Adam with you. Okay? Auntie wants to meet him.”

  “I don’t know if he’s going to be able to make it. He might have to work.”

  “You tell him he has to come.”

  I knew there was no point in arguing. “I’ll see what I can do,” I told her.

  “Where are you going? Are you driving somewhere?”

  “Yeah, I’m taking some food over to Sandra Chow.”

  “Oh, that is very nice of you, Lana. She will be very happy. Okay, Mommy will let you go. Drive safely.”

  She hung up before I could say good-bye.

  Once I reached Sandra’s, I parked in the same spot I had the other day and hoped that neither one of her neighbors would notice that I’d returned. That was sure to raise some questions.

  Before I got out of the car, I sent a quick text message to Adam letting him know that his presence was requested by both my mother and my aunt. He was going to love this.

  With my carry-out bag in tow, I approached the house, and walked up the three steps to the front door. I rang the bell and heard a muffled chime go through the house. She lived in a modest brick bungalow similar to the ones around her. The exterior was white with blue shutters and minimal landscaping. The lawn was overgrown and desperate for a good mow.

  A few minutes later, Sandra came to the door. Dark circles sat heavy underneath her eyes, and her skin looked sallow. A purple bruise ran down the entire left side of her face. And her left arm was covered in bruises and burns. Her long hair was drawn back in a sloppy ponytail that was tied at the base of her neck. She wore sweatpants and a long Cavs T-shirt.

  “Oh Lana,” she said. A hand went up to the side of her head where a lock of hair was sticking out from her ponytail. She patted it down self-consciously. “What are you doing here?”

  I held up the food. “I thought you might need some comfort food. I know it can be a pain to cook for yourself, and since you’re just getting home, this’ll make it easier on you.”

  She gazed down at the bag and back up at me. “Thank you, that’s so nice of you.” She stepped to the side. “I’m sorry, please come in.”

  Her house was similar in style to Ruby’s with the front door opening right into the living room. I entered her house and tried not to appear as if I were assessing the place, but I
couldn’t help it. It was completely trashed.

  Styrofoam containers, wrappers, and pill bottles littered the coffee table. Blankets and pillows covered the couch, giving you the impression that she intended to sleep there. Shoes and flip-flops were scattered around the room, and in the corner next to the end table was a crumpled-up towel.

  “Please excuse the mess,” she said, shutting the door behind me. “I am not moving around so good. Ruby has offered to help clean up. She has been very sweet to me.”

  Here she’d only been home for a handful of hours, and she’d already turned her house into a disaster area. I smiled encouragingly. “That’s okay. You don’t have to explain. You should see my place. If you didn’t know better, you’d think a tornado blew through.”

  She forced a laugh.

  I stood awkwardly at the entrance while she hobbled around the room shoving things aside. There was a rocking chair off to the side of the couch that she cleaned off for me to sit in. “Would you like any tea? I have hot water ready.”

  “Sure,” I said. I held out the bag in my hand. “What would you like for me to do with this?”

  “Oh, follow me into the kitchen.”

  The eat-in kitchen was tiny, with an oak table meant to seat four. It sat next to a window that overlooked the backyard and seemed oversized for the area it occupied. She had the window open and a warm breeze flowed through the kitchen, fluttering the sheer white curtains.

  “You can put the food over here,” she said, picking up a stack of mail on the kitchen counter. “I’ll just put this in the other room.”

  While she went to take care of her mail, I set the bag on the counter. The sink was filled with dishes and I imagined they had been there since before the incident. I could smell the faintest odor of fried fish lingering from a previous dinner. I immediately felt bad for stopping by, and as I assessed the condition of her home, I wondered if this was a woman who was capable of murdering her husband. She was a complete mess.