She wrote the names and descriptions out on the Specials chalkboard, adding little flourishes around the names, then pointed at me with the chalk. “OK, I’ve entertained you long enough. Now spill. What’s this about a dead body?”
So I laid out the whole sordid tale, adding that Bernadette was now their prime suspect and Amir was once again our family’s counsel.
By the time I was finished, Jae’s eyes were wide and he’d crushed the sample cup I’d left on the counter in his hand. “Hyung didn’t tell me all that. I didn’t even know Rob was murdered, just that he was dead and you found the body. Poor Beth. Hope she’s holding up.”
“At least your brother told you something. I can’t believe Amir didn’t say anything! Or at least stop by to wish us luck. He was right next door.” Adeena scowled and I could tell Amir was in trouble. The Awan siblings loved each other fiercely and bickered just as fiercely. This fight was going to be a doozy.
“How do you know Beth?” I asked Jae, trying to divert Adeena’s attention for Amir’s sake.
“She’s one of my patients. Rob’s wife,” he added, for Adeena’s and Elena’s benefit. “One of my very first patients, in fact, and a diligent one.”
He paused, blushing slightly, and warning bells started ringing in my head. “What do you mean by diligent? Like, you see her a lot?”
“Fairly regularly. Can’t say much more than that. Patient confidentiality and all that.” He adjusted his glasses, avoiding my gaze by reading the instructions on the tin of lavender bath salts he was buying.
“Seems like she’s more than a patient,” I said, looking away and sipping at my coffee.
“We’re friends,” was all he offered as explanation.
“Do you think you could set up a meeting between me and this friend?”
Elena had been arranging photos and a candle on her altar while sipping a glass of iced calamansi-ade, our Filipino spin on lemonade, but she looked up at my request. “Are you investigating again?”
Adeena’s eyes lit up at the thought of sleuthing, but the frown on Jae’s face told me to tread lightly. “Not exactly. I’m a little worried about Bernadette, but they have no evidence against her. I was with Rob’s sister, Valerie, last night and figured it’s only right to extend my condolences to his wife, too. After all, Rob was an important part of the pageant.”
Jae smiled at me before finishing his drink. “That’s sweet of you. I can’t promise anything, but I should also offer my condolences. I’ll let you know if I can arrange a meeting.” To Adeena and Elena he said, “Thanks for the refreshments and the personal shopper experience. I’ll stop by for a pick-me-up after lunch. Good luck with your opening!”
The three of us waved him off. Once the bells chimed behind him, Adeena turned to me. “OK, now that he’s gone, you’re investigating, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Bruha, please. This is my family on the line. You know we’re investigating.”
Chapter Nine
I can’t believe we’re having a committee meeting so soon after Rob’s death.”
The mayor studied the selection of sweets I’d laid out on the table before replying to me, as if death were way less important than pastries. It had only been a few days since I found out Rob had been murdered, and now that I no longer had baker’s block, I’d channeled my anxiety over the case into my baking. Still had ninety-nine problems, but at least baking wasn’t one.
“This pageant meant a lot to Rob and even more to this town. He would want us to forge ahead. Besides, what better way to honor his memory than to dedicate this pageant to him?”
I wasn’t sure taking an event meant to uplift young women and dedicating it to a problematic older man was the way to go, but again, his family money was what kept the pageant running.
“I also think it’s a bit soon, but dedicating a special scholarship prize to the girl with the best presentation on their volunteer experience is a lovely thing to do. Great idea, Valerie,” Sana said as Valerie threw her a grateful smile. Valerie’s dark eye bags and shaky hands as she attempted to sip a cup of coffee filled to the brim with cream and sugar told me all I needed to know about how she was doing. But before she could respond, a voice that managed to be equal parts melodic and flinty interrupted.
“Yes, well, my Rob was a good man, and Valerie knows how much I love charity. I’d planned on doing something similar in lieu of flowers at his service, but as always, Valerie was quicker.” A woman I’d never met before marched up to us, a smile frozen across her perfectly painted mauve lips.