Sunny Mates and Murders

by Anne R. Tan

  The filthy cloth did her in. Raina covered her face and sobbed. Her heart ached from the loss of the journal and the post-adrenaline surge. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in the guest bed and have a good cry.

  What happened? Matthew asked, his voice brisk and commanding. He rushed into the room and wrapped his arms around Raina. Is she done here, Detective?

  Get some rest, Ms. Sun, Detective Bibb said, closing his notebook. We’ll have a chat after you get a chance to calm down. We have evidence that indicates there was someone else in the alcove on the night Jerry died.

  * * *

  Matthew wrapped an arm around Raina’s waist and helped her out into the foyer. Detective Bibb was a mere step behind them. He strode off toward Sonny’s office without a backward glance. Two paramedics rolled a gurney from the downstairs staff area—there must be an elevator somewhere—toward the main door.

  Raina was still reeling from what Detective Bibb said. He must know she’d lied on the night of the birthday party. Why did he tell her what he knew? Was it to throw off her equilibrium? Or did he want to see how she would react? If he thought she would break down and blabber, then he had a long wait coming.

  She wiped the tears from her face. There would be time for tears later. She glanced up at Matthew. I want to talk to Lily.

  Matthew kissed her on the side of her head. I can see someone is feeling better already.

  He guided them toward the paramedics. As he spoke quietly with the technicians, Raina stepped up to the gurney. The paramedics had removed the dish towel and bandaged the cut on Lily’s head, but blood was already seeping through. The cut would probably require stitches. They were both lucky to still be alive.

  How are you feeling? Raina asked Lily.

  Stupid. I should have known Sonny wouldn’t leave evidence lying around in his office without a kill switch, Lily said.

  Raina studied the other woman. Would Sonny really rig his office with bombs? But if she didn’t put the bombs in there, then who did? How did you trigger the bomb?

  I don’t know. Maybe I punched in too many combinations on the keypad. I was lucky to leave when I did. Lily shuddered. I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if the bomb went off when I was still at the keypad.

  What were you doing at Sonny’s office in the first place?

  I could ask you the same thing, Lily said.

  I was looking for you. We organized a search party. I wanted to check the video feed to see if you were still on the property. I was concerned about you. The lies rolled smoothly out of Raina’s mouth.

  Lily studied her for a long moment. I was looking for an insurance policy. Even though Jerry is dead, I need a guarantee that the Kwan family will let me go.

  What about your father? Couldn’t he protect you?

  Lily snorted. He’s just as bad as the Kwans. I should have run away, but where could I go? He controls the underground network in Thailand. I thought I could make it work with Jerry. She gestured at her surroundings. This isn’t such a bad life. But Jerry resented me from the moment he laid eyes on me. I even turned a blind eye when he took up a mistress, but that was not enough for him.

  Did you have Jerry’s EpiPen on the night he died?

  Yes, he kept it in my purse. I called him several times that night, but he was probably dead by then.

  Raina licked her lips. The question had to be asked. Do you know who his mis—

  Let’s check you out, the paramedic said, cutting Raina off.

  Give me a minute, Raina said.

  Now. We need to get her to the hospital, he said, indicating Lily.

  He guided Raina a few feet away to give them some semblance of privacy. He took her blood pressure, checked her eyes, and asked several questions about how she was feeling. You’re fine. If you feel any worse, you could call your doctor in the morning.

  When Raina joined Lily again, she had dozed off on the gurney. The paramedics wheeled Lily toward the ambulance waiting in the driveway. Raina and Matthew watched until the ambulance was no longer in sight. When they went back into the foyer, the head housekeeper was waiting for them.

  Miss Sun, the head housekeeper said, wringing her hands.

  Yes? Raina said.

  The head housekeeper pulled an envelope from her pocket.

  Raina automatically reached for it.

  Please give this to Mr. Kwan. I quit. The head housekeeper spun on her heels and left.

  Can this day get any worse? Raina asked.

  Matthew slung an arm around Raina’s shoulders. Look on the bright side, Rainy. You still got both your eyebrows. Not many people can walk away from an explosion and say that.

  15

  Star-Crossed Lovers

  When Raina woke the next morning, she found a note next to her pillow. Matthew had left to have coffee with the detective in town. She glanced at the display on her cell phone. It was seven in the morning. She had less than five hours of sleep last night.

  She stared at the canopy above the bed, not really looking at it. Why did these things always happen to her? Without the journal, why was she still here? She should pack up, grab her grandma, and head back to their uneventful life at Gold Springs. Matthew could take care of himself.

  She sighed, and her thoughts shifted gear. Who would blow up Sonny’s office? The man probably had enemies up the wazoo, but they wouldn’t have made it past the guard patrolling the property. Not unless they were family or…

  Raina’s eyes widened. The Lows! How could she have forgotten about them? They were on their way out when Raina arrived yesterday. With the two of them, it would be easy for one of them to distract Sonny while the other planted the bombs. She could see Myling using her wiles on her ex.

  But why? They needed Sonny to help take care of the Italian mob. Or did they? Who had verified this? Surely Sonny would send out scouts to investigate this before committing the Nine Dragons. She must ask Sonny or Cat the next time she saw either of them.

  She went to the restroom to do her business. When she washed her hands, she studied her reflection in the mirror for the first time since the explosion. Her skin was red like she fell asleep next to the pool without sunblock. She swallowed at the thought of what could have happened. Yep, Matthew was right. At least she still had her eyebrows.

  While Raina might have lost her grandfather’s journal, all was not yet lost. Sonny had read the journal. She could still access its secrets if she played her cards right with Sonny. If she found out who killed his brother, Sonny would have to tell her why her grandfather sought and married this mysterious woman in China when he was engaged to her grandma at the time.

  Raina left the bedroom suite and headed toward the downstairs staff area. She passed a maid heading upstairs, holding a bucket and mop. Who supervised the staff work now that the head housekeeper and Lily were both out of the picture? The role certainly didn’t fall on her now that she was no longer engaged to Sonny.

  She strolled through the servants hall and pushed open the side door to the courtyard. She sucked in her breath at the sight before her. The English cottage had dark scorched marks crawling on its once light and airy stonework like an infestation. The roof caved in on itself and all the windows were blown out. Debris surrounded the building like the half-burnt joss paper a careless daughter-in-law would toss on an ancestor’s tomb.

  While Raina’s footsteps crunched on the glass, her gaze scanned the debris, searching for the journal’s distinctive Chinese longevity symbol. She didn’t think it would survive the explosion, but stranger things had happened before.

  From the corners of her eyes, Raina saw movement in the shadow of the courtyard wall. She shifted her gaze to find Sonny with one leg propped against the brick wall and his face turned up to the sky. She squinted. Were those tears on his face? She took a step toward him, and he brushed a hand across his cheek.

  Sonny stepped away from the wall. He strode toward her with the measured steps of a predator stalking its prey.
It’s about time you showed your face.

  Raina jerked at the sound of his voice. Her mouth went dry, and she stiffened her spine to reinforce her trembling legs. Yikes! What if he thought she had something to do with the explosion?

  How…how is Kwan Gong? Raina asked, ignoring the hostility rolling off of him.

  He invaded her personal space, stopping a foot away from her. No thanks to your boyfriend, my grandfather is still at the hospital, he spat.

  You were the one to bait Matthew in the first place, she said. Is my grandma still at his bedside? It wouldn’t hurt to remind him of their family connection. Surely he wouldn’t bind and throw an old family friend into the river?

  Sonny studied her, and she obliged him by tilting her head and giving him her best wide-eyed innocent look. The tightness around his eyes eased, but he continued to scowl at her.

  I left you in charge last night. And I come home to this? His hand swept at the ruined cottage.

  Raina shifted from foot to foot. I…I… He didn’t have to put it that way. It wasn’t her fault. The bomb would have exploded whether or not she was in the courtyard. And what was this business about being in charge? I’m sorry, but I didn’t put the bomb in your office. She explained what happened with Lily and how she thought the video feed might help the search party.

  And just how were you planning to get into the office without the key code?

  Kept punching in numbers until I got a green light? I don’t know. I didn’t really have a plan.

  Sonny raised an eyebrow. Are you sure this was your only intent? I would have taken advantage of the situation and snooped around the office.

  I don’t snoop. I was trying to be helpful. Raina’s mood shifted, and she glanced at the ruined cottage. Was my late grandfather’s journal inside your office? She knew the answer to her question, but she hoped he might have moved it.

  Yes, it was in there.

  As they surveyed the scene before them, they were silent for several moments, lost in their own thoughts. Raina sighed. She couldn’t walk away from this murder investigation now. She had to see this through so Sonny would tell her everything he knew about her grandfather's past. If she had a choice, this wouldn’t be her first.

  Who do you think— Raina started.

  You’re the only person I trust— Sonny broke off.

  They both stopped and regarded each other. Sonny gestured for her to continue, but Raina hesitated. She wanted to hear what he had to say first to gauge how he would take the suggestion that his ex might have blown up his office.

  Okay, technically it could be either Myling or Freddie. They both had the opportunity to plant the bombs in Sonny's office while they were here yesterday. And because they were married to each other, there was the possibility the two of them were in it together. Or it could still be Cat.

  Raina had no idea why the Lows or Cat would be interested in Sonny’s office. Did everyone know he kept the video recordings in his office? You first.

  Sonny raked a hand through his hair, making the ends stand out in agitation. I don’t know who I can trust anymore. The bomb exploded from the inside of my office. This clears you. He studied her until she broke the eye contact. I think I can trust you. I want to trust you.

  I'm not interested in your business. With my grandfather’s journal up in smoke, you have the information I need. We have a bargain, and I expect you to honor it.

  I guess this is the best I can expect.

  I’m sorry about what happened to your brother.

  With my grandfather busy building his empire, my brother looked out for me. We used to play here when we were kids. Now I’m the only one left… His voice cracked at the end. He turned his face away from her and cleared his throat. I will tell you everything I know once we solve my brother’s murder.

  Raina believed him. There was no way he could fake the pain in his voice. With Lily in the hospital, this eliminates her as a suspect.

  This is assuming she’s smart enough to not explode the bombs before she got away from the scene.

  Let’s assume she’s smart enough. Raina had seen the look on Lily’s face in the kitchen after the explosion. She had no idea what hit her. This leaves Cat and the Lows. Do you think the explosion is connected to your brother’s death?

  I don’t know. Cat and Myling wouldn’t hurt Jerry, though I’m not so sure about Freddie.

  I know Jerry saved Cat, but Myling? Her engagement to you didn’t mean she couldn’t have a deep resentment toward Jerry. Raina shrugged. She could be a hired assassin.

  Sonny chuckled and when he caught sight of her confusion, it turned into a full belly laugh.

  Raina folded her arms across her chest. I don’t see what’s so funny.

  Myling grew up in this house with my brother and me. Kwan Gong didn’t know this, but Myling and Jerry were lovers all through high school.

  * * *

  Raina’s jaw dropped. Could this be the source of animosity between the Kwan brothers? She had assumed it was

  the Dai Lo position that caused the rift between the brothers. But what if Jerry were still in love with Myling? When did they stop—

  Sonny’s phone rang, cutting her off. He pulled the phone from his pocket and glanced at the display. I have to take this. It’s from the police.

  He turned away from her and tapped on the screen. Hello? He strolled away from her to take his call.

  Raina’s mind raced with what he told her. She studied his muscled back. Maybe Sonny had been telling the truth. Maybe he was over Myling because he had never been in love with her in the first place. The Sonny-Myling-Jerry triangle was too confusing. She needed some facts, not more speculation.

  However, the relationship between Myling and the Kwan brothers gave Freddie Low the perfect excuse for murder. What man wanted to believe he had been second-best, or third-best in this case, all along?

  Footsteps approached the courtyard. Raina spun around and saw Matthew heading toward them. Uh-oh. This could only mean trouble. She couldn’t have the two men sniping at each other when she was almost at a breakthrough with Sonny.

  Raina trotted toward Matthew, hoping to deter him before Sonny got off the phone. I can’t talk right now. Can we catch up in about half an hour?

  I bring you news from the police station, and this is my reception? Matthew asked. His eyes twinkled, flashing golden flecks in the sunlight.

  Raina glanced over her shoulder. I think Sonny is on the verge of telling me something important that could be vital to the murder investigation. You’re kinda killing the mood by being here.

  Uh! Matthew clapped his hands to his heart like she had stabbed him. How do you know the intel I have isn’t the final clue you’re looking for, old wise one?

  Raina slapped him playfully on his arm. Will you quit it? This is serious.

  Hon, if you can’t joke about death, you’ll end up crying about it. Now move along. My business here is with Sonny.

  What? she asked.

  Louie, Sonny said from behind Raina.

  Matthew did the manly chin tip men used to greet each other. Is this a good time?

  Sonny nodded. As good as any.

  Raina’s head whipped from one man to the other. Talk about being treated like chopped liver. Why were they ignoring her? Weren’t they supposed to duke it out for her favor? Ahem.

  Sonny raised an eyebrow at Matthew as if to say she’s yours.

  Raina ground her teeth. This was beyond annoying. She was supposed to be the link between these two men. Now here they were making their own little deal without her.

  Rainy, I know you find this hard to believe, but not everything is about you, Matthew said. One corner of his lip curled like he was trying to hide his amusement.

  Sonny, on the other hand, had a full-blown smirk on his face. We wouldn’t want you swooning when Matthew and I mark off our steps.

  Raina ignored their amusement and addressed Sonny instead. I want to continue our earlier conversation. We need to talk
to the Lows.

  Just leave it to the police, Matthew said. If they had anything to do with the explosion, you don’t want to get involved with them.

  But—

  Sonny cut his eyes at Matthew but kept silent.

  Raina knew Sonny wouldn’t ask for her help in front of Matthew nor would he speak as openly as he did when the two of them were alone. In other words, Matthew was cramping her style.

  Po Po needs your help, Matthew said. She has commandeered the library as her command center. He glanced at Sonny. The police have released Jerry’s body for burial.

  16

  Last Rites

  Raina was still miffed by the time she got to the library. Matthew was probably doing his cave man thing with Sonny. She was lucky he didn’t pee on her to mark his territory. She snorted at the image. Or maybe not. He wasn’t the type to get territorial when it came to her affections. Her safety, on the other hand, was a different story.

  But what if he did a little digging into the Nine Dragons? It was rare for someone on his side of the tracks to have access to the headquarters of a criminal organization. And Matthew still had connections with the feds. She didn’t want to be involved in trying to take down a criminal organization. That’s for Matthew and his friends.

  Her grandma had covered the massive formal desk with papers. Somehow, she’d gotten hold of a laptop. Even more amazing was the sight of Po Po and Cat making separate calls to the same list from the sofa. Must be the people they needed to notify for the funeral tomorrow. With her grandma at the helm, it looked like Jerry would be buried within three days as tradition dictated.

  For the next three hours, Raina helped with the calls. Her grandma managed to find an online Buddhist monk to perform the funeral service. This wouldn’t sit well with the local temple once they found out this online business was undercutting them in price and convenience. She even arranged the traditional follow-up prayer ceremonies and the forty-ninth-day posthumous ritual.