investigation – Minna Hong

Duck, Duck, Dead Duck; chapter thirteen, part two

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“What the hell was that about? Did he think we were that stupid? No fucking way I’m going to be his patsy.”

“Chill, Bet,” Rafe said, patting my knee before zooming out of his parking spot. “If he doesn’t tell the cops, we will. Simple like that.”

“I have a feeling we should have taken the note with us,” I said uneasily. I couldn’t get over my feeling that Brian was trying to snow us. To what purpose, I couldn’t begin to fathom, but I would have felt better if the money and the note were in my possession.

“It would have been stealing,” Rafe pointed out as he swung into traffic. “He could have had us arrested if we tried something like that.”

“I hate it when you make sense,” I sighed, settling back into the seat. I shut my eyes, but they immediately popped open as I was too ramped up to sleep. “What else do you think he’s hiding?”

“I don’t know,” Rafe shrugged. “I’ll tell you what, though. I don’t think he killed Lydia, as much as I’d like to pin it on him.”

“I don’t think he did, either,” I replied sadly. It would have been nice and neat if he had been the killer, but I just couldn’t fit him in the role. If he had been found dead, I would have suspected it was Lydia who had killed him, but he really had no reason to kill her.

Duck Duck Dead Duck; chapter eleven, part one

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

After all that build up, it was anticlimactic that he wasn’t at home. I called his cell, but he wasn’t answering that, either. Briefly, I wondered where he was, but realized that I wasn’t in the position to query as I was the one who had insisted on my autonomy. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, I guess, though I really wanted to know where he was. I left him a message requesting him to call me no matter how late he got home. Hey, I didn’t have to work in the morning, so what did I care? I was a night owl by preference, anyway, so being woken up once in a while was no big deal.

“Have you made up with Raphael?” My mother poked her head into my room just as I was hanging up my phone.

“Couldn’t get a hold of him,” I said tersely, not wanting to discuss it any further.

“Well, make sure you make up with him before tomorrow night,” my mother reproved me. “It’s his birthday.” Shit. I had forgotten. Thankfully, I had bought his gifts, though I had left them in the car. I went to retrieve them, leaving my phone in my room.

Just as I was stepping out of the house, I heard a crack, then something whizzed by my ear. It took me a few seconds to realize that someone was shooting at me and I better get out of the way, damn it. It took a few more seconds for the command to travel from my brain to my limbs and for me to respond. Once I realized the danger I was in, I fumbled with the door and pushed it open. Diving back inside, I heard another crack, but didn’t feel any pain, so I assumed that I hadn’t been hit. I slammed the door behind me and locked it. My heart was pounding as I sat on the floor, waiting to see what would happen next. It wasn’t until there was a minute of silence that I thought it might be a good idea to peek out the window and see who had shot at me. Of course, that would make me a sitting target, and I was pretty attached to my head. I would hate to have it get blown off. I waited another minute for good measure before risking a peek. Nothing. It was only after the adrenalin started fading that I realized I had banged my shoulder pretty good in my attempt not to get shot. It hurt like hell.

Duck, Duck, Dead Duck; chapter eight, part three

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“Bea? Oh, I’m so glad I caught you,” she sobbed, making it difficult for me to understand her. “Please, can you come over again? I-I really need to talk to you.”

“I was just going to dinner,” I protested feebly, knowing that I’d cave in the end. Something about an older person weeping on my phone did that to me. I wasn’t going to go down without a fight, however.

“Please, I’ll order something in for you. Do you like Thai? I know of a marvelous place.” She was begging me, and I couldn’t be that hardhearted. I agreed to meet her in half an hour and let her know that Rafe would be coming with me. She acquiesced.

“I take it there’s a change of plans,” Rafe said, watching my face. I didn’t say anything but simply nodded. He sighed as he led me to his car. “Where to?” He asked as we buckled up. I told him and predictably, he wasn’t happy. It seemed as if our lives were being taken over by this case. We drove to Mrs. Rodriguez’s in silence, neither of us in the mood to talk.

“Thank you for coming,” Mrs. Rodriguez said, opening the door at the first ring of the bell. She must have been on the other side of the door just waiting for us to show up. Her eyes were reddened and puffy, and it was hard to look at her without feeling like crying myself. “Come in, come in.” She ushered us into the living room again.

“I went over to Linda’s apartment today. I-I had to clean out her things. I found this.” She held out a slim book which looked like a journal—which it was. Since she was holding it out to me, I took it. I flipped through it, feeling a pang at the sight of Lydia’s handwriting. “Read the last entry,” Mrs. Rodriguez said, her voice tight. I flipped to the last page, Rafe reading over my shoulder. It was written a few days before Lydia died.

Duck, Duck, Dead Duck; chapter five

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“If I were hiding something, where would it be?” I muttered, prowling the green room early in the morning. Eddie was around somewhere, but not in the green room. I was glad he had been at the park because otherwise I would have been forced to scale the outside gate and to open the door with the number which I wasn’t supposed to have, but which I had seen Eddie enter once. The last thing I wanted was to call attention to myself while I tossed the joint. I was the only one in the green room, which made it easier to snoop. It was Friday, but it didn’t feel much like the weekend. I was glad I had Saturday and Sunday off to recover from the events of the last few days.

I had called the cops earlier this morning to tell them about Shannon, which made them very excited. I talked to the male detective, Detective Bradley, and I could tell by his tone that I had just made his day. It was obvious that they were looking at this as a case of mistaken identity. I almost asked him if he had talked to Lydia’s mother about their last conversation, but I caught myself just in time. It wouldn’t do to appear to interested in the case, so I practiced my golden rule—never volunteer information that wasn’t absolutely necessary to the cops. It had kept me out of trouble thus far in my life, and I saw no reason to break it now. Detective Bradley made me promise that I would think more about if anybody had a grudge against me.

The green room did not have many hiding places, so it didn’t take me long to figure out that if Lydia had hidden something, it wasn’t in this room. I wondered if she had hidden it in her apartment, but I dismissed that for two reasons. One, I’ve never been there so there was no reason for her to believe that I’d be able to find something hidden in it. Two, it was too obvious. If someone wanted to find something of hers, that would be the first place she or he would look. I was pretty certain that Lydia had secreted whatever it was she wanted to hide somewhere around the park. The problem was figuring out where, but she seemed to have faith in me. I was beginning to think it was misplaced, but I soldiered on.

Plaster of Paris; chapter twelve, part three

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

He wasn’t able to find Billy Matthews, either, as the latter wasn’t at the gym today. Lyle tried to get an address or a number, but couldn’t charm it out of anyone. It’s a good thing, really, as it’s for the client’s protection; it just makes our task of hunting down Matthews a bit more difficult. I think about how I’m going to find him, but I can’t come up with a better plan than to go to the gym again in the morning—or have Lyle do it—and repeat until we get our man. Too bad I’m not V.I. Warshawski with her plethora of cunning ideas. I put it firmly out of my mind because it’s just giving me a headache to think about the case. I deserve a break after all the hard work I’ve been doing. I reach for my sandwich again, suddenly famished. We all gobble sandwiches as fast as we can.

After polishing off two sandwiches, I finally ask how Paris is. I thought they would have brought it up by now, but they haven’t. To be fair, they’ve been eating just as heartily as I have. My mother tells me he’s great, that he actually spoke in sentences today. Short ones, to be sure, but sentences, nonetheless. I ask if he remembers anything, my pulse racing. This could be the break we’re looking for. Please, let him have seen who hit him. To my disappointment, he didn’t. He doesn’t remember anything about his accident and has to be told repeatedly that he’s in a hospital. The cops haven’t been able to question him, either, which I’m sure is driving them crazy. I don’t care, however, as nothing is as important as Paris’s recovery.

I’m eager to see Paris, so I stand up and stretch. It seems like my life has been work, detecting, and the hospital. My mother and Lyle want to go, too, of course, so we clean up and leave. I ride with my mom to the hospital. Neither of us speaks until we are halfway there, then my mother warns me that the Jensons are seriously considering bringing Paris back to Memphis, at least until he recovers. I didn’t know they could do that without his consent. My mother says they’ve been working on him. She keeps reassuring the Jensons that Paris will be better off here with his friends, but they refuse to listen. They’ve gotten it into their heads that this would never have happened if only Paris didn’t live in Sin City, which is ludicrous. Even if they don’t know the background of the case, it’s silly to think that crime doesn’t happen outside the Bay Area. They’ll take him over my dead body—there is no way I’m letting Paris go without a fight.

We are silent for a minute as I watch the scenery whiz by. I remember the email Libby sent me and relay it to my mother. My mother is pleased, but surprised that Libby emailed me about something so serious. I tell her it surprised the hell out of me, too, that Little Miss Perfect is having second thoughts about being a trophy wife. My mother sends me a withering look which immediately makes me contrite for my flippant statement. I quickly amend my statement, saying I’m impressed that Libby has the guts to think about stopping the wedding, let alone write about it to me. It must be killing her to admit she has doubts, especially at this late date.

Plaster of Paris; chapter seven, part three

Posted on April 28, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

Besides, I need to wait for Mr. Jenson, as he’s on my list of people to interview. I doubt very much I’ll get anything substantive from him as he’s a cagey man, but I owe it to Paris to try. I have a hard time believing that he drove or flew from San Diego to the Bay Area to kill Paris for reasons unknown, but odder things have been known to happen. I wonder about the Jensons financial situation, then wonder why I wonder. Even if they are strapped for cash, it’s not as if Paris has much in the bank. The money that Ursula claims she’s going to settle on him hasn’t happened yet, Mr. Jenson don’t know about it, anyway, and it’s not enough to kill your stepson over, is it? Thinking about money leads me to ponder whether Paris has a will or not. My guess is no, but he can be surprisingly pragmatic about things such as that. If he does have a will, I’m fairly share that much of his earthly possessions will be split between Lyle and me. I wonder if Inspector Robinson has looked into that. I’m sure she has. She’s a thorough inspector who always gets her man. Or woman.

I sit at the table a bit longer, though I no longer want to eat. I can’t bear to go back yet, so I sit. It’s nice to be surrounded by others with similar stories, but not to be immersed in their pain. In a strange way, we are a support group without ever having to say a word. This is one place where you can assume for the most part that most people are not here for happy purposes—except, perhaps, to give birth. I wonder how many tears the cafeteria has witnessed? More than its fair share, I’m willing to wager. It’s the one place that has a lock on grief. After ten minutes of resting, I rise, dump my trash, and return to the waiting room. I look around me with displeasure; I am starting to seriously loathe this place.

Lyle, my mother and Mrs. Jenson are each slumped in a chair, my mother sitting between the other two. Mrs. Jenson has her head buried in her hands while Lyle is staring at the wall opposite. My mother is leaning against the wall behind her with her eyes closed. I can’t tell if she’s just resting her eyes or if she’s actually napping. I sit in the seat across from them so we don’t look like a line of prisoners waiting for execution. I close my eyes as well, suddenly exhausted. I want desperately to go home and sleep in my own bed, but it’d be too lonely and desolate without Paris in the other room. In the last couple months since the conclusion of the first murder case, Paris hasn’t stayed over at Lyle’s place very often because he’s been watching over me. I don’t know if I can stay in an empty apartment with Paris unconscious in the hospital. I wonder if I could persuade my mother to come home with me.

“Catherine! I got here as soon as I could!” Mr. Jenson is racing towards us, his face red. He is a short man, around five-feet eight inches, but he carries himself with the erect posture of a military man. He has a short, bristly flat top of white hair with a neat moustache of the same shade. He is wearing a dark brown suit with a narrow black tie, which is appropriate attire for attending a funeral. I shake that thought from my head.

“Douglas!” Mrs. Jenson jumps up and hurries to her husband. He wraps her in his arms and murmurs something into her hair. It’s obvious that he loves his wife and would do anything to take the pain away from her. It warms up my attitude towards him, but only marginally. Mrs. Jenson ushers him over to our little group and introduces him to my mother who has never met him.

“Pleasure, ma’am,” Mr. Jenson says gravely, shaking my mother’s hand. “It’s most unfortunate it has to be under such duress. How is Paris?” He looks from one to another, studiously avoiding looking at Lyle. Mrs. Jenson fills him in on the developments. The five of us do a little shuffle so my mother, Mr. and Mrs. Jenson are sitting in a row with Lyle and I across from them. My mother quickly falls back asleep.

“Would you like to see him?” Mrs. Jenson ask softly, her eyes focusing on her husband’s. He hesitates, and for a minute, I’m sure he’s going to say no.

“Of course, Catherine.” He comes through like a trooper. The two of them stand up, and Mrs. Jenson leads him by the hand.

“Did you see the way he hesitated?” Lyle hisses as soon as the two are out of sight—and hopefully earshot. “He doesn’t give a damn about Paris.”

“Lyle, please,” I say wearily. I am too tired to hear another harangue about the evilness of the Jensons. While I may not agree with their ideology, I have to respect that they are being true to what they believe. Besides, obsessing about it isn’t going to do anything but give Lyle an ulcer.

“Oh, I know. I’m sorry,” Lyle says contritely. “It’s just that they remind me so much of my parents. And about a zillion other parents of queer folk. How did you get to be so lucky?”

Rainbow Connection; chapter fourteen

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“Change of plans,” Paris says cheerfully. “We’re walking you to group, having a cup of coffee or a beer at some Mission dive, then we’ll pick you up at nine sharp.” I want to argue, but it’s not worth the effort. I simply nod, and we’re off.

“How was the funeral?” I ask, needing to get my mind off the murders.

“It was hard,” Paris says, his shoulders drooping. “The casket was so tiny! It looked like a shoe box. My mom started wailing the moment she laid eyes on it and wouldn’t let up.” His face twists in remembrance. Lyle squeezes his hand on one side while I do the same on the other side. “Douglas kept shushing her. He was fucking embarrassed! Told her she was making a scene.” Paris sneers as he utters the last word. “I finally had to tell him to leave her alone.” Lyle puts his hand on Paris’s back and rubs. We walk in silence, reaching A Ray of Hope in fifteen minutes. Paris and I smoke just to have something to do. When it’s time, I give each of them a brief hug.

“Call when the meeting’s done!” Paris orders. Before I can respond, he and Lyle are gone. I shake my head in mock exasperation. I take a minute to look for the police, but I can’t spot them—they are that good. I go inside where the atmosphere is glum. The women are huddled in their chairs, not looking at each other. Sharise isn’t there, and I have a feeling that the group is going to disintegrate very soon regardless of what happens tonight. Jennifer is rocking back and forth and mouthing something, most likely a rosary.

“Good evening,” Carol says, her professional smile in place. “I know this is a difficult time for all of us, so I’d like to open the floor up to anyone who wants to speak.”

“Dis has gotta stop,” Maria bursts out, her eyes flashing. “First, Ashley. Den, Rosie, now her kid. Who’s gonna be next?” She throws back her head, but her voice is trembling. She can’t cover the fear in her eyes.

“Why were you on television again?” I ask, bringing up the question foremost in my mind. It has nothing to do with the murders, but I have to ask.

“I know it may seem cold-blooded,” Carol says carefully, looking at each of us in the eyes. Only Astarte and I return her look. “I want to help as many people as possible with their pain! This is a good opportunity to spread the word. I hate the fact that it’s death that gives me the chance to promote the clinic and my book, but I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation.”

“I won’t be coming any more,” Jennifer says, still rocking. “I can’t be a part of this. That girl, she was just a child.”

“Listen, please.” Carol raises her voice slightly, the smile no longer on her face. “This is the time when a group such as this is needed, when in the middle of a crisis. If you quit now, you may regress. Besides, Mariah’s death proves that the murders have nothing to do with the group. You’re all safe.”

“I don’t know about that,” I say demurely. “Maybe Mariah knew something about her mother’s death, and that’s why she was killed. Maybe she read her mother’s notebooks.” The silence is sudden and chilling; I have everyone’s undivided attention. For once, Carol isn’t scribbling in her own damn notebook.

“What notebooks?” Carol asks, her voice neutral.

Rainbow Connection; chapter thirteen, part two

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“The last day is especially interesting, don’t you think?” Leticia asks, her eyes watering.

“Yes.” I hesitate, then ask the question. “Do you think they’re related?”

“Yes,” Leticia says firmly. “That means the killer is in your group.” Her eyes widen as she looks at me. From the speculative gleam in her eyes, I can tell what she’s thinking.

“I didn’t kill your sister, Leticia,” I say wearily. It’s never pleasant to be thought of as a murder suspect, but I’m used to it.

“I didn’t think you did,” Leticia says immediately, the flash of fear gone. I pick up the accounts notebook and thumb through it again. A.T., C.R., C.T., L.P., M.S. I stop reading in disgust. It’s no use. If she had added some identifying markers to each name, such as what she’s blackmailing them for, then perhaps I could use the information. Something niggles at me. I open the diary and read the last entry again.

“Leticia, look at this!” I show the entry to Leticia.

“I’ve read it already,” she says impatiently, not glancing at the page. I don’t have time for attitude, so I read it out loud.

“This one, is very special. I play right, I no have to work rest of my life. Ten thousand dollars for first increased payment. Is fair for a life.” I pause dramatically, but Leticia’s eyes don’t flicker. “Don’t you get it? First increased payment. That means she was already blackmailing the killer!” I grab the accounts notebook and open it again. “One of these fifteen initials is the killer!” Ok, not the greatest grammar, but I got the point across.

“Madre de Dios!” Leticia gasps, scanning the initials. “Do you recognize any?”

“It’s hard,” I say slowly, my mind churning. “I only know the first name of the women in the group.”

“I could probably find the last names at the clinic,” Leticia says eagerly.

“A.T., M.S., T.R,” I recite. “Those are the possibilities. I am relieved not to see a R.L., as irrational as that is.

“I’ll ask Carol tomorrow,” Leticia says briskly.

“Can you find out some other way?” I ask slowly. There is no C.S., so she’s not a suspect. Still, I would feel better if Leticia didn’t talk about this with Carol.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Leticia says, energized to have something to do.

Rainbow Connection; chapter sever, part two

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

“May I help you?” Carol asks sharply, her face scrunching up. “This is a private meeting, you know.”

“Sorry to intrude,” Inspector Robinson says, flashing her badge and not looking at all sorry. “I’m Inspector Robinson. I’m investigating the homicide of Rosalita Chavez. This is Detective Brady. She is investigating the homicide of Ashley Stevenson.” Detective Brady nods, but her eyes are scanning the crowd. Cop eyes—they don’t miss a thing.

“What do you want?” Carol’s tone is combative, which is not ideal for talking with the police.

“We would like to say a few words to the women here,” Inspector Robinson says, still rooted to a spot just inside the doorway. It is clear that she is taking the lead on the case with Detective Brady content to play second fiddle. Presumably, she’s used to it with Sergeant Grimes as her boss. “If that’s all right with you.” Her tone is courteous, but it’s an order and not a question.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Her good humor restored, Carol acquiesces with grace. The cops stand behind Carol so most of us can see them without moving in our seats. The women on either side of Carol move their chairs to get a better view. Unexpectedly, Detective Brady speaks first.

“The homicide of Ashley Stevenson is a puzzling thing,” she begins, fixing her eyes on the person across from her which happens to be Tudd. Tudd starts squirming under the scrutiny. “While she has been a troublemaker for most of her short life, she is far from a delinquent. She comes from money and as far as we can tell, has not ventured too far into the seamier side of life. Just your ordinary teenage girl with ordinary rebellions. So why was she killed? That’s what we’re trying to discover.

“Her father is another matter.” Detective Brady has slipped into a rhythmic telling of her saga which draws her listeners in. “He is a powerful man with many enemies but not the type to kill a daughter of an enemy to make a statement. So, if the killing isn’t personal and it isn’t because of her father, then what is the motive? That is the stopping point.” Inspector Robinson takes over.

“Rosalita Chavez was a single mother whose son was killed in the gang wars. Rosie, as she was called, raised a fuss about it to whomever she could get to listen. She’d go to the cops and harass them to arrest someone. She wrote her congressman every day. She was determined her son’s death wouldn’t be for nothing. As a result, there were some powerful gang members irate with her for stirring up trouble as they saw it. She was threatened several times to keep her mouth shut, which she didn’t do.

“So it would seem that this was a retaliation murder. An execution, if you will. However, we have ascertained beyond a reasonable doubt that her death wasn’t gang related. She is not dating anyone, nor does she have any shadowy figures in her life. What does that leave? Now, we know. Someone in her position probably has a shady character or two tucked away somewhere. If so, we can’t find that person. Reluctantly, we have let go of gang-related motives for the time being.”

Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter twelve, part three

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Minna Hong • 0 Comments

I go to the kitchen to make myself a rum and coke before returning to the living room. I slump in the couch, ready to think some more. I can’t get Harry out of my mind, despite any solid evidence pointing at him. However, any theory involving Harry doesn’t take into account the note, the rose, the S&M motif, nor the sex play. In other words, it sucks. I lean back on the couch and close my eyes. The characters are dancing behind my eyelids, taunting me to find the guilty one. Everything is a mess and a jumble. There are so many possibilities, it’s depressing. For such a beautiful, charming woman, Moira certainly squandered her birthright. With her talent and her personal life, she should have been the happiest woman on earth. Instead, she cut a swath through the female population of the Bay Area, leaving carnage and destruction wherever she went. There’s something infinitely sad about someone who’s greatest success in life is messing up other people’s lives. She would be proud of her accomplishments, of course, but it would be a hollow victory. None of her affairs satisfied her. None of her shenanigans masked the fact that she was empty inside. Sex can be an addiction like anything else—I think she was addicted to the drama of star-crossed lovers and obsessive stalkers.

Once again, I find myself wondering what kind of childhood she must have had to turn out the way she did. She was a sociopath—or a psychopath, I always get those mixed up—with little remorse or regret. A part of me envies that about her. She moved decisively once she made a decision—so unlike me. I tend to stew and worry when I have to make a decision and the anxiety doesn’t let up once the decision is made. That’s actually when the fun begins because I get to second-guess myself until I am no longer sure what I should have done. So to me, the appeal of someone like Moira is enormous. The other part of me, however, wouldn’t want to lose my humanity to gain confidence, and I feel that Moira had made that trade-off.

“Hi, honey! I’m home!” There is a slam of the door, and Paris bounces into the living room. He has that disgusting smirk of someone who has just gotten laid. Fortunately, I have the matching look on my own face. We eye each other silently for a second before we both simultaneously burst out talking. After we tell each other to go first and several false starts, I tell him about my evening with Vashti. I glide over a few of the details, but remain true to the spirit of the events. His face loses some of its animation as I talk. There is no love lost between the two, and I sometimes feel as if I’m in the middle of a very personal cold war. Since I want to be fair, I tell him the rest.

“She’s hiding something from me,” I say bluntly. “I have a feeling it has something to do with the killer, but I’m not exactly sure what.”

“Let me get this straight,” Paris says carefully, spacing his words evenly. “You just spent the evening with someone who knows who the killer is, but won’t tell you? What are you, crazy?”

“I guess so,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “But then again, I never dated a woman who systematically stole my money, or someone who threatened to kill herself after I left her. You certainly can’t say the same.”

“That’s not the point,” Paris huffs. “You could be killed if you’re not careful. I think as long as Vashti doesn’t come clean, you shouldn’t talk to her.” He sits on the couch and folds his arms. I can tell he’s angry, but I think he’s out of line.

“Paris, whatever you have against Vashti is between you and her. I’m not getting in the middle of that one. That said, Vashti is my girl. That means treat her with some respect. If you do that, I’m sure she’ll do the same for you.” Paris’s face is closed as if he’s never heard such a thing. I rush on, uncomfortable with the friction between us. “It’s not that I think she’s lying to me; she’s just not telling all she knows. But she said she will in a day or two.” Paris is still not receptive. “Let’s talk about something else. Tell me more about Lyle. I like him.”

“I know you think I’m being unreasonable.” Paris finally sits down next to me on the couch. “I just worry about you, Rayne. We’re not talking about hiding a past lover or other trivial information. She knows something about a killer, and she’s not telling you. She’s putting you in danger. Doesn’t that worry you in the least?” I bite down a defensive retort and really think about his question.

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