Sunny Mates and Murders

by Anne R. Tan

  Sonny’s jaw tightened, and he signaled for the server to avoid looking at the beaming couple chatting with his grandfather.

  Are you okay? Raina asked.

  Sonny glanced at her. Why wouldn’t I be?

  I’m just making sure.

  Don’t worry about me. Freddie’s dirty hands will come back to haunt him eventually.

  Raina hadn’t meant Freddie’s business dealings. If Sonny wanted to ignore the pregnancy, she wasn’t forcing him to discuss it. Is the Nine Dragons helping Freddie with the Italian mob?

  We didn’t get around to discussing business last night. Did you find anything on the murder?

  Raina bit her lower lip. This was it. The moment of truth. She should tell him about the secret passage. What did you do with the clock last night? Okay, she was stalling.

  I hid it in a storage room.

  Did you see anyone while you were down there? Raina asked, thinking of Cat and Lily. Maybe he already knew about their affair. She would hate to be the one to bring this to light. It would help if you have an alibi.

  Sonny threw his cloth napkin on the table. I already told you I have nothing to do with my brother’s death. He stalked back into the house without another word.

  Raina’s eyes widened. Whoa! Talk about pushing the wrong buttons. Was he upset about Jerry’s death or Myling’s pregnancy? Whatever the issue was, she didn’t sign up to be an armchair therapist for Sonny.

  At least this solved her dilemma about the secret passage. Not her fault he didn’t stay to hear her out. She caught her grandma’s eye and gestured for them to return to the house. It was time to call the police and tell them about the murder weapon.

  9

  The Dragon’s Lair

  Instead of heading upstairs with her grandma, Raina got roped into helping Kwan Gong see the remaining guests off. She did her duty as Sonny’s fiancée and accepted condolences like they meant something to her. Once the last car headed away from the house on the driveway, Kwan Gong said Raina and her grandma could make themselves at home and locked himself in the library.

  Po Po turned to Raina. Why do you have cobwebs in your hair?

  Raina brushed her ponytail with her hands. You couldn’t have told me this earlier?

  I didn’t want to draw attention to it.

  Yes, I can see why saying nothing would be better. Raina didn’t bother hiding the sarcasm in her voice.

  I thought it would establish you as an eccentric in the Kwan family. You can get away with murder if you’re eccentric.

  Raina gave her grandma a sideways glance. She didn’t even know how to respond to the comment, so she ignored it. I found a secret passage just like you suspected. She told her grandma about the broken wineglass she’d found and her conversation with Sonny and Myling. I should call Detective Bibb.

  Sonny wouldn’t want the police snooping around the family home again. The smile slipped off her grandma’s face. I don’t want him angry at you.

  I can always play the bimbo card when he finds out.

  Now that would be a great excuse. I’m too stupid to live. Kill me now. Po Po fluttered her lashes like a twitching bug on steroids.

  Raina burst out laughing. Okay, maybe it won’t work, but I have to do what is right. Let’s go upstairs and pack up. We can use your cell phone in private there.

  They didn’t encounter anyone on their way upstairs, and their footsteps echoed in the hallway. Raina inched a little closer to her grandma. The house was already in mourning.

  At the intersection leading to the east wing of the house, Raina glanced at the alcove where Jerry had died. A white wreath of roses lay on the bench. Where were the joss sticks? What if his spirit hung around the place waiting for his family to honor his death? She shivered and turned away.

  Inside the guest bedroom suite, Raina dialed the number for the detective, turning her back to her grandma and looking out the window at the rolling green lawn outside. Back in California, the lawn would have been a brownish gold with the watering restrictions from the drought.

  Two Dobermans led a guard along the fence line at a distance. Although she couldn’t see any firearms, he was probably heavily armed. She turned away from the view. Either the Kwan family was a paranoid bunch, or they needed this level of security from their enemies. She bet they dealt with the latter like movie stars did with the paparazzi.

  Someone picked up the phone. Detective David Bibb.

  Raina hesitated. Making this call would signal to the police she wasn’t in the Nine Dragon’s pocket. Would the detective use this against her in the future?

  Hello? Detective Bibb said. Is this a prank call? Do I need to trace the line?

  Raina cleared her throat. Hi, this is Raina Sun. She spilled the beans about the secret passage at the Kwan mansion. When she was done, there was silence at the other end of the line. It stretched out for two heartbeats before he finally spoke.

  Does Sonny Kwan know about this call? Detective Bibb asked.

  No. Please don’t mention my name.

  I see. He was silent again, letting it stretch out for another minute. Thank you, Miss Sun. I know you put yourself at great risk by calling me, and I appreciate it.

  Raina hung up, feeling a load lift from her shoulders she hadn’t known was there. Being on the wrong side of the law, even if only for appearances, bothered her. She wasn’t a Miss Goody Two Shoes, but she believed in the justice system.

  She turned to see her grandma standing next to Sonny and Cat. She didn’t know which was worse—Cat's mocking smirk or the tightness around Sonny’s eyes. He tried too hard to have an unreadable expression, but it

  only magnified his suppressed anger. Her mouth went dry. She swallowed and attempted to smile.

  Sonny kept his eyes on Raina but addressed Po Po. My grandfather wants to speak with you before you leave. He’s in the library. Cat, go with her so she doesn’t get lost.

  Tell him I’ll be down in a minute, Po Po said, clearly trying to stall so Raina wouldn’t be alone with Sonny.

  He turned to look at her grandma. Go, now. I need to talk to Rainy alone.

  Po Po tipped her chin up at him. You’re not throwing my granddaughter into a lake without me.

  He blinked. So are you proposing to help me? His voice lost its earlier edge. I’ll hold her arms, and you can grab her legs? No thanks. Cat can help me with the grunt work.

  Her grandma got into a fighting stance, clutching the pimp cane in front of her Are you mocking me, young man? She gave the cane a whirl.

  Cat jumped back with a start. Hey, watch it!

  Sonny sighed. Just go before I change my mind about the lake.

  Raina gave her grandma an encouraging smile. I’ll be fine. The knot in her stomach grew tighter.

  Po Po and Cat headed toward the door.

  Why don’t you let me hold your cane? Cat said, holding out her hand.

  You’ll have to pry it from my cold dead hands, her grandma replied.

  I can arrange...

  They walked further away from the bedroom, and Raina couldn’t hear the rest of Cat's reply.

  Sonny shook his head sadly. I wish you trusted me enough to come to me first.

  Ah, trust you about what? Raina asked.

  His lips curled with disgust. Drop the act. I hate dumb girls, and you’re not a good actress.

  Raina’s stomach heaved, and she had to force her voice to sound normal. What do you expect? Given your reputation and your family? You weren’t honorable in our past dealings. I have no proof you’re not involved in your brother’s death. For all I know, you’re using me to throw off the investigation.

  So my word isn’t good enough for you?

  I don’t trust anyone when it comes to murder.

  Sonny studied her as if weighing her worth. Follow me. I’ve got proof of my innocence. He turned and left the room.

  By the time Raina crossed the threshold, Sonny’s longer legs had carried him halfway down the hall. She ran to catch up with
him. He didn’t say anything while they made their way downstairs past the kitchen and the storage rooms and out a side door.

  He strode through the courtyard without glancing at the hanging linen or the discarded boxes from the grocery delivery. A servant straightened, dropping his cigarette on the ground, and nodded at them.

  Sonny continued through the small brick archway that led to a small cottage hidden from view on the driveway. There weren’t any video cameras around the cottage. He probably didn’t need any because the cottage was so close to the main house.

  Besides, it would be disturbing to record the family as they went about their business at home. Anyone who could make it through the wrought iron fence, Dobermans, and armed patrols had to be family or friend. There was no security in the world good enough to protect you from the enemy within.

  Sonny punched in several numbers on the keypad on top of the doorknob, and a lock clicked open. He threw open the door, gesturing for her to step inside. With the sun behind the building, the interior was in shadows.

  Raina glanced behind her. The servant had gone back inside the main house. Her grandma wouldn’t know to look here for her. She glanced at Sonny who watched her with a bemused smirk, almost as if daring her to proceed.

  She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. It would take more than a bad temper to keep her from seeing what proof he had. She stepped inside. Before her eyes could adjust to the dim interior, Sonny closed the door and slid the lock home with a loud bang.

  * * *

  Raina tightened the grip on her purse. It took all her willpower to stand still until her eyes adjusted, and she could see the outlines of the furniture in the room.

  Sonny clicked on a light and crossed the room to a leather armchair next to the stone fireplace. He grabbed a

  remote from the side table and pushed a button. A screen dropped from the opposite wall. Welcome to my dragon’s lair. This is my hideout and where I run the family business. He pulled a wireless keyboard onto his lap and tapped on it.

  Raina perched on the edge of the smaller armchair across from Sonny. It was much too small for a man, but maybe that was the intent—whoever sat across from Sonny would be uncomfortable the entire time.

  The room was a typical man-cave with leather and dark wood tones. Not much different from the decor of the library in the main house, except these books along the wall looked well read. What if her grandfather’s journal was hidden in this room? She squinted at the books on the shelves, looking for the distinct Chinese longevity symbol on the spine and front of the leather cover.

  You can stop squinting. I wouldn’t put your grandfather’s journal somewhere that anyone could just walk off with it, Sonny said.

  Raina pressed her lips together. There was no point in denying his assessment. She glanced at the twelve video feeds on the screen. In the top corner, Raina and Sonny parted ways in the foyer last night.

  Look at the time stamp, he said.

  She glanced at the time. For the next few minutes, she watched him come back up from the storage room and chat with a person in the ballroom. A servant came by and whispered in his ear. Sonny glanced at the watch on his wrist and strolled through the double doors of the ballroom.

  I left to look for you, Sonny said.

  In the video, he headed up the stairs. Time passed and then Raina and Sonny made their way into the ballroom with Cat behind them.

  Sonny stopped the videos. There are no cameras upstairs, but the time stamp shows I was in the ballroom the entire time you were upstairs. You can also question anyone I spoke to.

  Raina got up to stand next to the bookshelves, pretending she needed to stretch her legs. Her gaze scanned the shelves again before she turned around to address him. You’re a crime boss. You don’t need to get your hands dirty. That’s what lackeys are for. I’m sure Cat would shoot on command.

  You think it’s that easy to hire a hitman to take out my brother in our family home? His tone sounded incredulous. You give me far too much credit, Rainy.

  You didn’t answer my question about Cat.

  I didn’t tell her to kill my brother.

  Could she have killed Jerry on her own? Maybe she wants to help consolidate your power, Raina said.

  I highly doubt it. Cat is Jerry’s man.

  Raina tipped her head at the retracted screen. Do the video feeds clear Cat from Jerry’s death? If her loyalty belonged to Jerry, then what was she doing with Lily down in the storage room?

  I haven’t had time to check.

  Does anyone else monitor the video feed? The guard by the gate?

  Sonny shook his head. It gets recorded, but no one looks at it unless we have a party where we invite questionable people.

  Like the Lows at your grandfather’s party?

  He squinted at one of the screens. The police are at the gate. I need you to stall them until I can join you.

  What are you going to do?

  Call my lawyer.

  Raina’s jaw dropped. You have a lawyer?

  On speed dial. Sonny’s tone was dry, and he pulled out his cell phone. You can’t be a master criminal without one these days.

  As she headed toward the door, Raina’s gaze drifted to a tan leather spine on the last bookshelf. She pretended to stumble and fell down to her knees.

  The armchair creaked behind her. Are you okay? Sonny called out.

  Raina picked herself up, chuckling to hide her excitement. She had seen enough. Hopefully, he would think she was embarrassed. I’m such a klutz.

  Once outside, Raina paused but couldn’t hear Sonny’s conversation with his lawyer. She rubbed her sore knee, but the fall had been worth it. She got close enough to see the Chinese longevity symbol on the spine of the

  leather book. The same symbol on her grandfather’s journal.

  10

  A Passion

  As Raina trudged toward the main house, she thought about her conversation with Sonny. Were the cameras for recording the comings and goings of the senior members in the Nine Dragons? She glanced at all the windows glinting in the sunlight. The mansion had presence and beauty, but it was empty where it counted.

  The narrow downstairs hallway thrummed with activity. Clinking and clanking from different parts of this workspace. Chinese music played from a radio. Wait! Was that Po Po’s voice?

  Raina stuck her head into the kitchen. Po Po directed the kitchen staff to set up tea in one of the many sitting rooms. Her grandma acknowledged her but finished her conversation before joining Raina.

  The police are driving up from the gate, Raina said. As they headed upstairs, she filled her grandma in on the conversation with Sonny.

  The journal was right there? How come you didn’t snatch it? Po Po asked.

  Because I don’t want him to manhandle me. I can’t outmuscle him.

  So how do you plan to outwit him?

  I don’t. I plan to do a little B&E at the next opportunity, Raina said, holding open the panel for her grandma.

  Po Po stepped into the hallway on the main floor. How are we going to break into his office when we are leaving tonight? You’re not really his fiancée.

  You’re my secret weapon. I’m hoping you can turn your charm on Kwan Gong. I’m counting on you to get us another invitation to the mansion.

  Po Po saluted smartly, tapping her heels together. Oh, yeah. He’s not going to even know what hit him. I wonder where I can find a supply of the little blue pill around here.

  Raina covered her ears. La-la-la.

  I might as well get a little fun out of this.

  He doesn’t look to be in good shape. Just don’t put him in the hospital with your hip gyrations.

  Her grandma snickered, pleased with Raina’s assessment of her prowess in the bedroom.

  Raina suppressed a smirk. It didn’t take much to make her grandma happy.

  They passed the ballroom and crossed the foyer in time to see a servant leading Detective Bibb into the mansion. Raina and her grandma shook
hands with the detective, and they stood awkwardly until the servant led them into a sitting room to the right of the main door.

  Once everyone had a seat, Detective Bibb asked, Will anyone from the family join us?

  Sonny will once he gets off the phone with his lawyer, Raina said.

  Oh, great, Detective Bibb mumbled to himself. He glanced at Raina. What can you tell me?

  Not much more than what I already told you on the phone. I found out Jerry had a strawberry allergy, and I tasted strawberries in the wine.

  Detective Bibb jotted the information in his notebook. Did anyone else have this wine?

  I don’t know, Raina said. Is there anything you could share with us?

  Ms. Sun, this could potentially be a homicide investigation. You’re not a professional—he cut his eyes to Po Po who opened her mouth to protest—even though you have a few encounters with murder, you are still a private citizen. I can’t share information with you even if I want to. I’m not putting my job on the line to satisfy some amateur’s curiosity.

  Who are you calling an amateur? Po Po’s sharp tone chilled the initial cordial atmosphere.

  The rattle of a metal cart approached the sitting room. Cat came into the room pushing a tea cart laden with cakes and finger sandwiches. She had traded the tight black leather from last night for a white sundress. With her wavy brown hair and natural brown tan, she could have been a PTA mom in an alternate dimension.

  Raina did a double take. She hadn’t expected a murder suspect to show up with goodies. Cat's loose yellow cardigan undoubtedly hid the shoulder holster for her gun.

  The henchwoman handed out tea and cakes like she had been doing this her entire life. She had assumed one of those blank expressions often found on servants who tried to blend into the background. Geez, did she think they were stupid and wouldn’t notice her eavesdropping?

  The detective scowled at them. "Do I have a sign on my forehead that says ‘go ahead and waste my day?’ Now