“Hello?” I sing into the receiver. I’m sure it’s Vashti, so I’m doubly shocked when it’s the inspector. “Hello, Ms. Liang. Sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but I have a few more questions I’d like to ask Mr. Frantz. Please put him on the line.” Her tone is cool to the point of… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter ten, part two
“Dunno.” I shrug indifferently. I am concentrating on eating the popover as fast as I can so it won’t get away from me. “I don’t get the fuss of weddings, anyway. It’s just one day. Why spend so much time and effort on one day? From what I’ve heard, the bride and groom don’t remember… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter ten, part one
The Friday before the party, the day in question when Mrs. Curtis saw Vashti livid outside of Moira’s house, started out like any other day. Vashti went into work thinking of the five thousand things she had to do that day, and how she was going to do it all in eight hours. She didn’t… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter nine, part two
“Mrs. Curtis, you’ve been very helpful. Can you tell me if you saw anything else suspicious next door the last week or so?” I frown at how I worded that, but it can’t be helped. I don’t think Mrs. Curtis will notice, anyway. Besides being batty, she’s draining her glass of lemonade until there’s nothing… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter nine, part one
“Rise and shine, Rayne!” I hear a voice from a distance and desperately try to block it out. I lie very still, rationalizing if I act dead, it may leave me alone. “Come on.” The tone turns from cheerful to cajoling. “It’s after twelve, Rayne! Time to get your lazy ass out of bed.” It’s… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter eight, part two
“I’m not really sure.” He still won’t look at me. “She wouldn’t talk to me after that. I assume Moira told Annie I confronted her.” The truth, but not all of it. He is sweating again, so I push the issue. “What did you talk to Moira about the night before the party?” I have… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter eight, part one
“Let’s go,” he says when he appears, forty-five minutes later. He is looking straight ahead, his lips set in a thin line. I buckle myself in as he takes off with a screech. Paris is a good driver, but when he’s angry, he becomes more aggressive. I wisely keep my mouth shut as I do… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter seven, part four
“Libby Liang,” she says briskly in a tone much different than the petulant tone she takes with me. “Lib, it’s me.” I pause as I feel the freeze emanating from the phone. “Look, you didn’t give me a chance to respond. You know I’m three hours behind you and I don’t get into work until… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade: chapter seven, part three
When I am through, I shut down my computer. Ten o’clock. Early to be going to bed, but it’s been a long day. After getting ready for bed, I slip under the covers next to Paris. I have a king-size bed because I like space as I sleep, but the bed feels small with Paris… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter seven, part two
“If I wanted a man, I’d be with one,” Quinn explains. I sigh, not wanting to get into an argument about why butches are not men. It seems all we do is argue philosophy and beliefs. “If you like the black woman, go talk to her,” I say. “That’s what we came here for, right?”… Continue Reading