Balmy Darlings and Deaths: A Chinese Cozy Mystery (A Raina Sun Mystery Book 4) (8 page)

R
aina yawned
, glancing at the alarm clock. A little after midnight. Shouldn’t her grandma be in bed by now? “My cell phone took a flying leap when I was trying to call the police, remember?”

Silence.

Raina closed her eyes, resting them. She was drifting off again when her grandma replied.

“I don’t remember much of anything,” Po Po said. “Do you recall seeing the suicide note?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Apparently Walt couldn’t live with being gay anymore. And in the suicide note, he confessed to killing LaShawna. He’s been paying her so she wouldn’t expose his sexuality to his grandma.”

Raina sat up, hoping a vertical position would grease the gears in her head. “It’s a fake.”

“How would you know?”

“There was no stool or chair.”

“What?”

Raina yawned again.

“Are you even awake?” Po Po asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. I said there was no stool or chair next to his body. How did he even get up on the rope?”

“Maybe he jumped off from the sofa…”

“But everyone knows he’s gay. I bet Mrs. Tally knew this too. It would explain why she tries so hard to set him up.”

“Detective Sokol said the suicide note solves LaShawna’s murder investigation.”

Raina shook her head even though her grandma couldn’t see her. “He leaked the suicide note on purpose. How is Mrs. Tally handling the news?”

“Not well,” Po Po said. “He was her only grandson, and now the police are saying he’s a murderer. Her granddaughter, Walt’s cousin, is out of town at the moment. She shouldn’t be alone at this time. I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now.”

“Does she want your company?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll stop tomorrow morning to check on her. Between Janice and Maggie, the senior center will be a place of despair this week.”

“How is Louie Po doing? Does she have an appointment for the specialist in Sacramento yet?”

“Yep. His office has a financial aid program. She would only have to pay her normal co-pay for the tests and consultation.”

“Did you help her with the paperwork?”

“Of course, I did. She has vision problems.”

Her grandma probably called the specialist and arranged to make the payments on Maggie Louie’s behalf. What Raina knew about friendship, she’d learned from her grandma.

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Raina tried to go back to sleep, but couldn’t. She got up and made herself a cup of Sleepytime tea. As it steeped, she thought about Walt’s death.

Someone had tried to set up Walt’s death to look like a suicide, but even an amateur could see it wasn’t. She hoped Detective Sokol revealed the suicide note as a ploy to lull the real killer into thinking he or she got away with murder.

Who would go through all this trouble, but leave out the detail of a chair? And how would this person know about the blackmail connection between LaShawna and Walt as mentioned in the suicide note? This person was either close to the two victims—which pointed at Taylor—or wanted to frame Myra Jo—which pointed at Denise. But how did Eden factor into this?

She finished the tea and went back to bed, but this time, she tossed and turned much of the night before sleep finally claimed her. The next thing she knew the phone was ringing again. She groped on the nightstand until she found the cordless phone.

“Hello?” she mumbled into the receiver.

“Raina? This is Myra Jo.”

Raina cracked an eyelid to look at the alarm clock. Eight thirty in the morning.

“Can you come in this morning? I need someone at the receptionist’s desk. Walt didn’t show up, and I can’t get in touch with him.”

Raina bolted straight up on her bed. If the spa owner didn’t know what happened, then the police hadn’t paid her a visit yet. “You don’t know what happened to him?”

“No, I can’t get in touch with him. Can you get here within the hour?” The spa owner didn’t sound like she understood the significance of Raina’s question.

“Sure. Not a problem.”

Raina hung up and called her grandma to explain the situation and make plans for the day. She was to stick around Myra Jo, and Po Po was to shadow Janice Tally. They would try to meet up later to compare notes. She whirled through the morning routine. There was even time to stop by the Venus Café for an iced coffee and bagel before crossing the street to the day spa.

This last-minute fill-in for Walt meant she would get to be a fly on the wall when the police came to question Myra Jo. Raina didn’t believe for one minute Detective Sokol would release the information about the suicide note without expecting it to shake something loose.

* * *

R
aina could see
Myra Jo sitting at the receptionist's desk through the glass front door. As she crossed the threshold, the bell above the door jingled, and the spa owner glanced up. Her smile widened when she saw Raina.

“I am so glad you are here. This is so unlike Walt to not show or call,” Myra Jo said, her smile wavering. “I hope I won’t be forced to fire him.”

Raina studied her boss under lowered lashes. Either Myra Jo was a talented actress, or she hadn’t heard about Walt’s death. “A trusted employee is hard to find. Are you still mad at him for handing over your client list to LaShawna?”

Myra Jo gave her a sheepish look, blushing from head to toe. “Now that I’ve had time to think it over, I might have jumped to conclusions. Anyone who worked here could have access to the computer.”

“If this is how you feel, I can see why Walt would perjure himself for you. You’re a good boss.” Raina held her breath, waiting to see if Myra Jo would take the bait.

“What...what are you talking about?”

“I’m not here to point fingers at anybody. I know you weren’t in the restroom because I went in there before heading outside,” Raina lied. “The two of you couldn’t even get your story straight. I’m just like you—I can’t lie on the spot either.”

For once it was refreshing to glance down at someone. Raina studied Myra Jo. Her boss sucked in her lower lip, working at it between her teeth until there was a red mark on it. The seconds ticked by.
Well, it was worth a try…
“Let me—”

“It’s my fault LaShawna died,” Myra Jo said. Her face crumpled and changed from flush to feverish.

Raina’s eyes widened. Was her boss about to confess? “What happened?” she whispered.

“On my way out, I saw her lying on the massage table.” Myra Jo paused, glancing down at her hands. She took a deep breath. “And I left her there. I could have woken her…got her out like I did with everyone else…but I didn’t. I just didn’t want to deal with her.”

“Which is understandable. I wouldn’t want to deal with her either.”

“What if I could have saved her?” Myra Jo whispered.

A lightbulb went off in Raina’s head. So this was the spa owner’s guilty secret. “Whoever the killer was had it out for LaShawna. This person took advantage of the chaos when Maggie Louie ran into the side of the building. If not here, it would have happened somewhere else.”

Myra Jo took a deep breath. “Thank you. It helps to talk to someone.”

“How many people could guess your password?” Raina asked, bringing the conversation back around to the client list. She had no idea whether Myra Jo was putting on an act, but the client list was the only link between the spa owner and Walt.

Her boss took a deep breath. “It’s water under the bridge now. LaShawna is gone, and she can’t hurt us anymore. At least there’s no more threat of her moving to Sacramento and taking my nephew with her.”

Her last comment reminded Raina that Taylor's rust bucket of a pickup wouldn’t be able to make it regularly to Sacramento and back. “Does she have family there?”

Myra Jo shook her head. “She has been saying this for years. Our small town is too oppressive for her. We’re old busybodies who gossip too much.”

Raina suppressed a smirk. She had counted on this characteristic of their town to help with her investigations. “I heard Taylor is looking for a new place to live so he could have his son with him.” It was an assumption since his landlord wouldn’t let the child move into the converted garage. “If he can’t find a place, are you going to let them move in with you?”

“I hope it doesn’t come down to that. There’s a reason I never married or had children. I’m too old to play mother hen now.”

“You’re not old. You’re barely in your forties.”

“Thank you, but I’m closer to fifty.”

“I can’t tell. And that’s a huge age gap between you and your brother.”

“My father had a fling with a woman my age and ended up with Taylor on the doorstep when she skipped town. I raised one boy already, and I don’t want to do it again.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“It is what it is. Nothing I can do about it.” Myra Jo shrugged like it didn’t matter even though her eyes said it did. “Are you looking for full-time work this summer?”

“No plans yet. I can work all the hours you can give me, but I might have to go to Toronto for a couple weeks for some family business.”

“Good. I’ll keep you in mind. If you’re interested, some of the girls could give you an apprenticeship for cutting hair and applying makeup. I’m sure you can get your cosmetology license easily. It’ll open more opportunities for you.”

“Thank you,” Raina said.

As she went to put her belongings in the staff lockers, she thought over what Myra Jo suggested. It was a good idea. Not only would it open another avenue for earning her keep, it might help improve her dating potential if she learned to make herself look like a million bucks. But then, would she want to date someone who was only interested in her looks?

She worked steadily all morning—returning calls on the machine, answering the phones, delivering extra supplies to the treatment rooms and salon, and checking in the clients when they showed up for their appointments. It wasn’t the worst job she’d ever had, but neither was it the most challenging.

At ten thirty, Detective Sokol and Officer Hopper showed up with grim expressions and stiff postures. Raina had a feeling the partnership wasn’t working out as either of them had envisioned.

“Hi, officers,” Raina said brightly. “What can I do for you today?”

“Detective,” Detective Sokol corrected.

“Right, Detective.” Raina knew it irritated him, and it was petty of her, but she didn’t like how he treated Officer Hopper like the hired help.

“We’re here to see Myra Jo Landon.”

Raina gestured to the gray sofa. “Have a seat. I’ll go get her.” 

She went through the beaded curtain, into the lounge, and toward Myra Jo’s office. From the doorway, she saw Taylor tapping away on Myra Jo’s laptop.

He glanced up and stiffened when he saw her in the hallway. “What is it, Raina?”

“Where is Myra Jo? The police are in the waiting area.”

Taylor’s face went from stern to shifty in one heartbeat. He got up, running a hand through his strawberry red hair. “My sister went to pick up supplies. She should be back any minute now.”

“Do you want to talk to the police?”

T
aylor stood
up from behind the desk. “Me? Why would I want to?”

“Because this is your sister’s business. Are you the person in charge when she’s not here?”

Taylor shook his head, backing out of the office, squeezing past Raina at the doorway. “Not me. I’m just the handyman.” He opened the backdoor and fled.

The door slammed shut, and a gust of wind whirled a lock of Raina’s hair over her face. It was time to put the squeeze on Eden’s boyfriend. He was hiding something, all right. And if Eden’s history with men was a sign, this one was probably also up to no good.

Raina made a left and went through the entryway into the beauty salon part of the day spa. She pulled aside the senior hairstylist and whispered the situation to her and got Myra Jo’s cell phone number. She returned to the reception area to find two clients—a tall redhead and a brunette—waiting for their appointments on the sofa, and Detective Sokol shifting paperwork on the receptionist’s desk.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Raina asked.

“I was just looking for a trashcan,” Detective Sokol said. He blinked, but didn’t even have the grace to look embarrassed.

“No, he wasn’t. He opened the drawers,” the tall redhead said.

“I heard a beeping noise. I thought it could be a bomb or something,” the detective said defensively.

“If you can’t tell the difference between a ticking bomb and a ringing phone, then no wonder the mayor wants to contract out with the Sheriff’s department,” the tall redhead said.

The brunette snickered.

Raina crossed her arms, tapping a foot in front of him until he moved aside so she could return to her seat. “Where’s Officer Hopper?” She glanced at the monitor. It was still locked by the screen saver. It wasn’t that she was opposed to snooping in general, but he was a cop and should be above people like her.

“She went to get us coffee from the Venus Cafe,” he said. 

“She’s not your personal assistant.”

He ignored her comment. “Is Myra Jo coming out?”

Raina held up a finger to show she needed a minute. “Let me get these ladies settled first. I’m sure you wouldn’t want them listening in on our conversation.”

She gave him a bland smile and proceeded without waiting for his agreement. She confirmed what they wanted done, dragging out the process longer than necessary. The welcome she gave them was for new clients instead of regulars, explaining all the amenities and treatments available. Yes, it was petty.

The ladies glared at the detective, but were all smiles with her. They seemed to enjoy the game as much as Raina did. She led them into the lounge and returned to the waiting area for the cucumber water.

Detective Sokol opened his mouth, but she held out a finger. “One more second,” she said and returned to the lounge with the cups of water.

When Raina returned to the waiting area, Detective Sokol’s face was a shade of eggplant, looking as if he was ready to hurl the coffee cup in his hand. Officer Hopper sat with crossed legs on the sofa, flipping through a magazine while her eyes studied her partner’s expression. She glanced over at Raina’s entrance, and the corners of her mouth curled.

Detective Sokol opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Myra Jo strolled through the beaded curtain. She must have come in through the back door, and one of the staff alerted her of the situation. With her hands on her padded hips, chin tipped at the police, she looked like a mother hen ready to do battle.

If Raina didn’t know about Walt’s death, she might have felt sorry for the police. As it was, she was worried about her boss’s reaction when she got the news.

“What can I do for you, officers? I heard you’ve been harassing my staff and clients,” Myra Jo said, her eyes flashing with anger.

“Detective,” Detective Sokol automatically said. “Where were you yesterday afternoon between noon and four?”

“Why is it any of your business?” Myra Jo snapped.

“Because, Miss Landon, your employee, Walt Tally, was found dead in his apartment.” He pronounced each word as if they were bullets, spitting them out with the force of a machine gun.

Myra Jo’s face turned ashen, and her lower lip trembled. “This has to be a mistake.”

“Oh, there’s no mistake. He hung himself. Said he can’t live with being gay anymore.” The detective’s beady little eyes watched her with a hint of satisfaction. Almost as if he enjoyed delivering the bad news.

Myra Jo covered her face with her hands and turned away from the police.

Raina grabbed a tissue and handed it to her boss. She scowled at Detective Sokol. “I hope you’re happy. Walt had worked for Myra Jo for years. Shame on you. This is no way to deliver this kind of news to friends of the victim.”

Detective Sokol bristled like he wanted to argue the point, but Officer Hopper laid a hand on his arm. “I apologize for breaking the news to you so suddenly. It helps us gauge whether you might have anything do with his death.”

Myra Jo sniffled, wiping her nose with the tissue. “Why would I have anything to do with his death? I thought you said he killed himself.”

Detective Sokol pointed at Raina. “She said you were real upset when you found out Walt gave your client list to LaShawna.”

The three of them turned to look at Raina. Her heart thudded loudly in her ears. She should deny his accusation. Maybe blame it on the neighbor. “I…I only told the truth as I witnessed it. How was I to know your anger would be so short-lived?”

Myra Jo stepped away from her. “Go get your things. I’ll mail you a check for your time.”

If Raina were in Myra Jo shoes, she would do the same thing. “You’re firing me? I thought you needed help.”

“Not this badly.”

Raina glared at Detective Sokol. “Whatever happened to protecting the witness? See if I will volunteer any information in the future without a court order to help you out, Detective.” She was livid. Matthew would never reveal his source like this.

He had the decency to look embarrassed. Officer Hopper gave her an apologetic smile before averting her gaze, as if getting fired could be catching. Myra Jo was ramrod straight, arms folded across her chest. Instead of looking Raina in the eye, she stared at a spot on her forehead.

“I’m sorry,” Raina whispered to the spa owner. “I only told him the truth. It’s not my fault the idiot jumped to the wrong conclusion.” She could barely make out the bead curtain through the tears in her eyes.
Another rejection.
It looked as if she would have to jostle with Eden for the first spot at the unemployment line.

* * *

A
s Raina grabbed
her purse from the locker, the fine hair on the back of her neck stiffened. She unzipped the bag and reached inside for a weapon. Her hands curled around the plastic bottle of onion juice Po Po had given her. She whirled around, holding the purse and squirt bottle in front of her.

Taylor leaned against the doorway of the staff break room with his arms crossed on his chest. His indigo eyes glinted with barely concealed anger. “Why did you sic the police on my sister?” His tone was harsh with grit.

An image of Taylor strangling LaShawna flashed across Raina’s mind. Three steps would be all it took for him to reach her. The cheap plastic chairs and table wouldn’t be much of a deterrent. She glanced at the coffeepot on the counter, but there was only an inch of brown liquid. So much for scalding hot coffee.

She swallowed her sudden fear. There was nothing to be afraid of. It wasn’t like she was in a deserted alley with him. And LaShawna felt perfectly safe lying on the massage table, said a small voice in her head.

“I have nothing against Myra Jo. I told the police what happened yesterday. All of which is true,” Raina said.

“You gave the police the wrong impression about my sister.”

“The lead detective is an idiot. He would have jumped to the wrong conclusion no matter what I said. Why on earth would he believe Walt killed himself over being gay in this day and age?” She hoped her tone sounded normal. For all she knew the police might have a plan in place to shake the murderer from his or her hiding spot, but she wasn’t speculating with a suspect.

Taylor shifted, uncrossing his arms and hooking his thumbs in the belt loops on his jeans. The move was too practiced like he wanted to appear at ease.

Raina had joked about it to Eden’s grandfather, but what if it were true? “Something happened between you and Walt, didn’t it?”

He glanced at her sharply. “I…what are you talking about?”

“He put the moves on you, and you rejected him.” Her voice strengthened as she became more convinced her theory was true. “And then he killed himself. What did you say to him?”

“No! His death has nothing to do with me. It's been a long time since high school. I don't need to experiment anymore."

Raina raised an eyebrow. With pot or…? "Did the two of you have a relationship in high school?"

"No! There was no relationship." He shifted so his hands framed his manly parts. "I like girls."

Raina noticed his need to exhibit his manly parts. Was this a signal of sorts to her? “Uh-huh."

“Eden told me all about your nosy streak. This is more than just being a helpful witness. You are stirring things up to make yourself seem important.”

Raina felt a flash of irritation. Her BFF was discussing her with this poor excuse of a boyfriend? It was typical of Eden to fall in love like it was the first time each time, but it was rather trying to be her friend when loyalty shifted to the new guy.

“Are you confusing me with Eden? Because the last time I checked, I’m not a potential murder suspect.” Raina knew it was a low blow, but didn’t care.

Taylor took a step toward her. “I’ll make you regret poking your nose in other people’s business.”

Raina glanced at his crooked nose. Someone had sucker-punched him when he was younger. She hated men who threw their larger size around like dumb apes. She straightened, tipping her chin at him even though her heart pounded against her chest. “Get off your high horse. I don’t need to do anything to incriminate you or your sister. The two of you are up to your armpits in this murder. Each of you had your little run in with Walt. And then there is LaShawna ending up with your sister’s client…”

A thought struck her, and she widened her eyes. It finally made sense. Walt had no reason to hide his sexuality, especially since Janice Tally knew deep down inside her grandson wanted none of the nice girls she tried to set him up with. “It was you, wasn’t it? You gave your sister’s client list to LaShawna.”

Taylor jerked back like she whacked him. “What list?” His voice came out in a strangled snarl like he was trying to be tough after getting caught in pink lace underwear.

“LaShawna threatened to take your son away from you. There’s no way you can afford to go back and forth to Sacramento with that pickup of yours. You used Walt to get the client list so you can keep her here.” Raina was guessing, but it made sense. “And when it didn't work, you killed her. Did you kill Walt to shut him up?”

He tucked his hands underneath his armpits, but not before she saw the tremble. “I have nothing to gain from LaShawna’s death. I could see my son any time I wanted without the responsibility of being a full-time dad. But now, I need to figure out what to do with my living situation. I have to send my son to his aunt, but it’s not a long-term solution. Trust me, I am the last person to want her dead.”

“The way you’re talking, it’s so businesslike. Aren’t you upset she’s gone?”

“I don’t know you. Why would I let you see me upset?”

“How does Eden fit in with your plans? You told me a few days ago you need to take care of the home front. I think you would be happy for Denise to step into LaShawna’s role as your son’s caregiver.”

“A child needs a mama in his life. I’m no good with children.” He ignored her question about his current girlfriend.

“Were you really with your son on the day LaShawna died? Or were you here at the spa?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You got me. I was here getting a pedicure.”

Someone knocked on the doorframe. “Why are you still here?” Myra Jo stepped into view to glare at her.

“Just saying my goodbyes,” Raina said.

The Landon siblings might think getting rid of her would solve their problem, but she was the least of their worries. She didn’t like Taylor's attitude toward women, and especially toward her BFF even if Eden could be a traitorous witch when she was in love. This meant Raina would just have to save her friend from herself.

Raina slammed the back door on her way out. She glanced behind, but didn’t see anyone following. Time to nose around Taylor's place. Someone should be able to verify his alibi…or not. It wasn't lost on her that Taylor hadn't answered her question about Walt's death.