Sunny Mates and Murders Read online

  Jerry would take his frustrations out on Lily, both verbally and physically. If I could save her then maybe I can save myself. She said she’d take me with her, Cat said, her eyes focused on something far away.

  Why do you care about Lily? Jerry saved you. Shouldn’t your loyalty lie with him?

  I already paid my dues. Cat's tone was curt. I’m glad he’s dead.

  Raina licked her lower lip. It was none of her business how Cat paid her dues, but she might have had her own reasons for wanting Jerry dead. Why were you helping Lily escape? You don’t seem like the type to have a Louis Vuitton overnight bag?

  Because I can’t afford it?

  No, you’re more of a Kate Spade girl. Actually, Raina hadn’t given it much thought, but the brighter patterns and more youthful designs would match Cat's style. She smiled inwardly. After spending a lifetime with her mom and older sister—the shopaholics in the family—Raina actually knew the difference between the two brands.

  The men either ignore me or want to bed me. The women are no better, making catty comments behind my back. Cat was quiet for a moment. Frankly, I don’t care who killed Jerry, but if I could help Sonny, I would.

  Sonny? Raina echoed. Now this would be news to Sonny. Could Cat have killed Jerry to help Sonny secure his position in the organization after all? Did you kill Jerry?

  No.

  What about Lily? Could she have killed her husband?

  Why don’t you ask her yourself? Cat knocked on the bedroom door.

  The door opened in a slow arc. No one was on the other side. Raina and Cat looked at each other. In that one heartbeat, Cat pulled out her gun and shifted in front of Raina.

  They crept into the room. Cat two-fisted the gun and hunched as if she was expecting a shoot-out. Raina let the henchwoman lead the way. She figured whoever had gotten past security would take more than the two of them to take down. And since she couldn’t back away, whatever happened would happen. She pulled her grandma’s hair stick from her purse and held it in front of her like a knife.

  The bedroom suite looked like a fancy hotel room with curtains and bedspread in the same shade of gray-blue and dark wood furniture. A few personal items were scattered around the suite. How depressing! Lily’s sanctuary looked identical to the guest suite.

  It took less than a minute to search the bedroom suite. Lily was nowhere to be found and neither was the Louis Vuitton overnight bag.

  13

  Chasing Fate

  Raina put the hair stick back into her purse. She spun around and surveyed the bedroom. There was no sign of a struggle. Lily had flown the coop. At this point, would the Kwan men care?

  Do you know anything about this? Raina asked.

  Cat shook her head. How did she leave the property without anyone noticing? It’s not like she can sneak out on the back of someone’s truck.

  Maybe she hasn’t left the property yet. Should we search for her?

  You can, if you want. I am heading back to my house.

  You don’t stay here?

  I’d rather sleep in my own bed.

  Raina raised an eyebrow. Don’t you care what happened to Lily?

  She caught me at a moment of weakness, and I don’t weasel my way out of a promise. But as far as I’m concerned, our deal dissolved on the night her husband died.

  Cat left shortly afterward, and Raina headed downstairs to the staff area to find the head housekeeper again. Should she raise the alarm about Lily? If she had nothing to do with the death, Raina didn’t want to be the one to trap her here. She was halfway down the stairs to the first floor when a sudden thought struck her. Could she use Lily’s disappearance as an excuse to check the surveillance video in Sonny’s office?

  Raina smiled. Yes, Lily’s disappearance would be the perfect distraction. First, she would have to alert the staff to start a search party. She almost skipped her way into the kitchen but caught herself in the last minute in front of the panel covering the entrance to the downstairs kitchen.

  She got rid of her smile and put on a frown before trotting down the stairs. There was no one in sight. The lights were on a lower setting, creating a dim tunnel effect in the staff hallway. She checked the time on her cell phone. It was close to ten o’clock. Even if the staff didn’t live on the premises, surely one person must be at the Kwan’s beck and call 24/7. Maybe the head housekeeper?

  Raina’s footsteps echoed around her. Hello? Anyone here? As soon as the words left her mouth, a sense of unease settled into the pit of her stomach. This was how the slasher movies began…in an empty, spooky mansion.

  A hand grabbed her elbow. Raina jumped and screamed. A flash of adrenaline shot through her, and she brought her elbow up to ram it into her attacker.

  A familiar voice said, Rainy, it’s me. Matthew’s aftershave—a clean water and sage scent—hit her a second too late. She could have broken his nose.

  Raina’s heartbeat pounded in her ears. She jerked her arm and spun around. I almost peed in my pants.

  That’s still better than the heart attack you gave me with your email.

  I’m sorry, Raina whispered. She felt a twinge of guilt for talking about a heart attack when Kwan Gong was at the hospital but dismissed the thought just as quickly. She didn’t have the time or the mental energy to think about him.

  What are you doing, skulking around the mansion?

  I’m not skulking. Where have you been?

  One corner of Matthew’s lips curled. Skulking. It’s not every day I get invited to a triad’s base of operation.

  You’re not here on official duty. And it’s not in your jurisdiction. Raina’s tone came out harsher than she intended. For some crazy reason, she wanted to protect Sonny. Probably because he trusted her.

  You sound like you are enamored with Sonny Kwan’s lifestyle. Matthew’s tone held a hint of disapproval.

  Of course not. But we are guests in his home, and he trusts us enough to leave us here while the family is at the hospital. It would be rude for us to— Raina broke off. The irony was not lost on her. She changed her tactic and softened her tone. Why don’t you get some rest? I’m sure you’re exhausted from flying across the country.

  Why do I have the feeling you’re trying to get rid me?

  I’m always trying to get rid of you. You just keep coming back. Raina meant all those times they had gotten together in the last decade since high school. Now, have you seen the head housekeeper? No one has seen Lily Kwan in two days, and now she has disappeared from the mansion.

  I cross mountains and rivers to rescue my girl. And this is what I get? I don’t think so.

  Matthew pulled Raina into a familiar embrace, his arms wrapping around her back and hip. She could have struggled, but she was tired of fighting the inevitable. She placed her hand on his bicep, the ring sparkling with an inner fire in the dim light, and stood on tippy toes for the kiss.

  According to an old Chinese saying, in their previous lives, their bones must have gotten mixed up in the same grave. This was the only explanation for the connection between them, and why they couldn’t let each other go. If it was fate, then Raina would surrender to it.

  The kiss only lasted a minute, but it shifted something between them. Raina saw it in his eyes and heard it in his sigh. They were silent for several long minutes. And she enjoyed the feel of his arms around her again.

  You want to tell me what’s going on here? Matthew finally asked.

  Raina filled him in on Jerry’s death and Lily’s disappearance.

  All this for your grandfather’s journal? he asked. Your grandma is lucky to have you.

  She smiled. No, I’m lucky to have her. So how do I start a search party without the staff?

  The head housekeeper is in her office down the hall.

  He released her, and she felt a quick flash of regret. If only they had more time to themselves.

  * * *

  Once they found the head housekeeper, she called the guard shack. The security team would searc
h the grounds outside while the head housekeeper and Matthew would start the search inside the mansion. Raina would catch up with them once she finished her call to her grandma.

  She told her grandma about Lily’s disappearance from the mansion. Now that everyone is busy looking for Lily, I’m going in.

  Make it quick. We’re leaving in the next few minutes. The hospital is less than fifteen minutes from the mansion.

  Can’t you make Sonny stop somewhere on the way back? What about the drive-thru?

  I’ll try my best. Just hurry.

  Raina hung up and slipped the phone back into her purse. She pulled a hair stick out and headed toward Sonny’s office. She stepped outside into the courtyard and stood still until her eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight.

  She didn’t dare use the light from the hair stick until she was inside the office. The security team might come to check out the light, thinking it was Lily.

  Raina was halfway across the courtyard when the hair on the back of her neck stiffened. She paused, cocking her head to listen. Her heartbeat roared inside her ears. Geez, she couldn’t hear a thing.

  She squinted into the darkness. Was it her imagination playing tricks on her or did she hear something? The dim moonlight exaggerated the shadows. She was about to move, when she heard the shuffling noise again. There! Soft footsteps approached her from the direction of Sonny’s office.

  What the heck? Who would be coming toward her? The person would bump into her in a minute if she didn’t move out of the way. She shifted, but not quick enough.

  Kaboom!

  Hot and thick air rushed at Raina’s face, and the sky lit up with fire. The person in front of Raina slammed into her, and the momentum carried her back several inches before the two of them fell on top of each other onto the pavers on the floor.

  Raina fell on her hip, and a sharp pain ran down her leg. She screamed, but the noise got lost as another explosion from Sonny’s office blasted through the air. Soot and debris rained down on her.

  She threw her hands over her head and stayed on the ground. Her ears rang and soot clogged her throat. The dark shape moaned and moved, untangling herself from Raina’s legs. By the glow of the flames, she could tell the person was a woman by her smaller frame. The woman struggled to her feet, swaying and moaning.

  A door slammed open from the direction of the mansion. A beam of light swept across the courtyard until it landed on Raina. Footsteps ran toward her.

  Gentle hands brushed a curl from Raina’s cheek. Matthew! His mouth moved, but she couldn’t hear anything beyond the ringing in her ears. She blinked, or at least she thought she did, but the next thing she knew he was shaking her shoulder.

  He yelled something at her again, gesturing toward the mansion. His eyes were calm in the flickering flame. He probably wanted to move her but was afraid to.

  I’m fine, she croaked.

  He said something to her again. Over his shoulder, she saw glimpses of the head housekeeper tending to the other woman in the courtyard.

  Raina cupped a hand behind her ear and shook her head. He probably didn’t hear her. She pushed herself off the ground with shaking arms, hoping he would interpret this correctly. She wasn’t going anywhere without his help.

  He did. He scooped her into his arms and ran toward the mansion. Raina’s head bounced off his firm chest. Her gritty eyelids slid closed and she blanked out for the next few seconds.

  When he shook her again, she was on a corner chair in the kitchen, leaning against the wall with Matthew kneeling in front of her.

  Raina’s gaze lingered on his beautiful face. He said something and gestured at the direction of the courtyard. She nodded. Go. I’m fine.

  Matthew kissed her on the forehead and wiped the dark soot off his lips. When he disappeared from her sight, she felt a moment of panic. Her breaths came out in sharp, jagged puffs. What if there was another bomb in Sonny’s office? What if this was the last time she’d see him?

  Her gaze rolled around the kitchen. She wasn’t going to pass out. She wasn’t going to be that girl who fainted because her man ran into a dangerous situation. She couldn’t breathe. Her chest was moving rapidly, but she wasn’t getting air.

  Someone moved into her line of sight. The head housekeeper held a yellow dishtowel to Lily’s bleeding face. So that was the other woman in the courtyard. The room became a blinding white light, and she squinted to keep the other two women in focus.

  You’ll need a different towel soon, Raina croaked as the blood soaked through the yellow fabric.

  Her eyes slid closed. There was a second of freefall, and she felt the impact of her body hitting the floor. She was too far gone to even make a peep. Not that she would have heard it.

  14

  Beautiful Eyebrows

  When Raina returned to the land of the living, she was lying on something softer than the floor. Her hip throbbed, but that was to be expected. She wiggled her toes. Everything seemed to be in working order. Too bad she had to faint like a wimp at the sight of blood.

  Despite the faint ringing in her ears, she caught snatches of Matthew’s conversation with someone. Cracking open one eyelid, a powder blue wall came into focus. She was in the small sitting room where she’d served tea to the police. She closed her eye again to eavesdrop on the conversation.

  …death from anaphylaxis…

  …accidental?

  Unlikely…family is careful…

  Raina felt a flash of satisfaction. Matthew was chatting with Detective Bibb about Jerry’s death. She suspected the murderer had used Jerry’s allergies against him. Now here was the official confirmation. Not that the police would listen to an amateur like her. No, she wasn’t bitter.

  …help….

  …Kwan…insider…

  Someone cleared his throat. The conversation ceased, and there was a moment of silence. Did they suspect she was awake? Why didn’t Matthew re-engage the detective to pry more information from him?

  From behind her eyelids, she could sense a shift in the light. Someone peering down at her? Brisk footsteps left the room. Great. There went her chance to get official information on the murder investigation.

  Raina wanted to groan out loud. Matthew could be so by the books sometimes. Did she want to open her eyes and face his wrath? It wasn’t like she could pretend to be unconscious forever. Maybe if she used her charm to soften him up... She opened her eyes slowly, blinking dreamily, up at…Detective Bibb?

  Her gaze swept the room. Where was Matthew?

  Welcome back, Miss Sun, Detective Bibb said.

  Raina blinked again, trying to buy a moment to think. Why would Matthew leave her unprotected with the detective? I have a head injury. I can’t take questions right now.

  The paramedics just arrived. Your other fiancé will bring them in to check on you after they take a look at Lily Kwan, Detective Bibb said. You seem to have a knack for collecting fiancés like some women collect shoes.

  Raina put the back of her hand to her forehead. My head… she mumbled, hoping her voice sounded feeble and weak. She didn’t have to try too hard. The last few hours had sapped her energy more than she realized.

  Okay. Detective Bibb headed toward the door. We can always do this after the paramedics find nothing wrong with you. The station is more conducive to an interrogation anyway.

  Raina sat up on the sofa. The room tilted, and she held onto the armrest. She should move slower. Throwing up at the detective’s feet wouldn’t help the situation. Fine! Let’s just get this over with.

  Detective Bibb paused at the doorway. Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to tax you. A head wound is no laughing matter.

  I said I’m fine, Raina said through gritted teeth.

  The detective sat down on the armchair next to the sofa and pulled out his notebook. So does Sonny Kwan know you have another fiancé waiting in the wings?

  My relationship with Sonny is none of your concern.

  I like Matthew Louie. A straight shooter. One of t
he good guys keeping people like Sonny Kwan off the streets. I’d hate to see you hurt him.

  Really, Detective? You’re giving me dating advice?

  He ignored her comment. What were you and Lily Kwan doing in the courtyard before the explosions?

  I don’t know what she was doing. No one had seen her in two days, and when she disappeared from her room, we organized a search party.

  This still doesn’t explain why you were near Sonny’s office when it exploded.

  How do you know it’s Sonny’s office?

  Detective Bibb ignored her question. "What were you hoping to find in there? Or did you put the bombs in

  there?"

  Raina pointed to her face. The skin still felt tight and raw. She hadn’t seen it yet, but it wouldn’t be a pretty sight. You think I would do this to myself?

  He ignored her question again. Why were you near Sonny’s office?

  Raina took a deep breath. She felt a strong desire to stab him on the thigh with her grandma’s hair stick. Not because she wanted to hurt him, but because she was frustrated, and he was…doing his job.

  Her late grandfather’s journal just went up in flames, along with her grandma’s peace of mind. Everything she had done in the last few months had been for naught.

  She blinked at the burning tears in her eyes. To come this close…only to lose it in an explosion. A stupid explosion that came out of the blue. Her lower lip wobbled, and a tear rolled down her face.

  Detective Bibb narrowed his eyes, scowling. Enough of that. Tears will just delay the questions.

  I know, Raina croaked. She covered her face with her hands. She would not break down. She swiped at another tear.

  Why did her life have a habit of imploding? She wasn’t a bad person. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have gotten involved with Sonny in the first place. Her chest tightened and a whimper escaped from her lips before she could stop herself. She felt so stupid. So amazingly naive. So—

  Hey, you just lived through an explosion. You should go buy a lottery ticket, Detective Bibb said gruffly. He pulled a wrinkled handkerchief out of his pocket and gestured for her to take it.