by Lynn Cahoon
Felicia shrugged. “You could be right. Anyway, have you found Randy’s son yet?”
Angie shook her head. “We have some calls out, but so far, nothing.”
“Let me do some checking. I’ll be right back with my laptop.” Felicia stood and started to walk out toward the hallway.
“Bring my notebook too,” Angie called after her. She studied the meal plan for the day. She needed to get some work done on the pantry as well. She wanted everything here to be as safe as possible. Even though she still didn’t think Carol was doing this on purpose, she didn’t want to take any chances.
As if she’d been pulled from Angie’s nightmare, Carol appeared in the doorway.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you need to realize I’ve been playing games a lot longer than you or any of your crew,” Carol croaked.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but I wanted to get your take on an apple pie for dessert.”
“You’re not fooling me, missy.” Carol came closer and Angie could see the crazy in her eyes. “You and your friends need to do your job and then get the heck out of here, never to return.”
“Oh, but Doctor Ollie said…”
“I don’t care what that old quack says. This is my house, my rules.” Carol turned and left the kitchen. “I’m running to town on an errand. Please don’t burn down the house while I’m gone.”
“So apple pie?” Angie called after her as Felicia came back into the kitchen.
Felicia set her computer down. “What was that about?”
“I think Miss Carol is getting tired of us being here. We know the social worker won’t help her kick us out. Now she lost the doctor from her side. I wonder what she’s trying to hide.” Angie opened her notebook and started making notes.
“If the social worker has the power to get Carol to make changes, do you think she has a contract with the state for the home?” Felicia tapped her pen on the table. “We had to go through all kinds of licenses and such to open the restaurant. I wonder if it’s the same for homes for the elderly.”
“I saw a license in one of the cabinets. Hold on.” Angie glanced around then went to the top cabinet over the stove. A folder filled with papers sat there. She pulled it down. “Go and see if Carol’s car is still in the driveway. I’d hate to have her come back while we’re snooping through her stuff.”
Felicia went and stood at the living room window. “She’s just leaving now. Well, she’s in the car talking on her phone. Wait, she’s pulling out and heading down the road towards Nampa.”
“Watch for a few minutes and make sure she doesn’t turn around.” Angie grabbed the folder and took out her phone. She found a license that expired the next December. Felicia had been right. The home was certified. Next was a letter from the state about the deficiencies they found during an annual inspection. She snapped pictures of all the pages and of the license, then what must have been the original contract with the state. And there was another bunch of papers from the Veteran’s Administration. Angie glanced through to find a contact name on that stack.
“She’s gone. And I have Matt watching for her to return. What did you find?” Felicia said from her left.
“Lots of paper.” Angie handed Felicia the stack from the VA. “Can you take pictures of that pile? Looks like I’ve got a lot of reading to do in the next day or so.”
“How are you going to do that and help Randy find his son?” Felicia shook her head. “Let me and Estebe work on this in between our chores here. You and Ian focus on Randy’s mystery. I’ll figure out what’s going on with Carol and the home. Divide and conquer.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll send you the stuff I take pictures of after we get this file gone through.”
They worked for over ten minutes before everything had been photographed and copied into Felicia’s phone. On the back of the file, she found a note. “There’s a name and phone number on the folder. I’ll take a picture of it too. Maybe it’s another social worker.”
Matt came into the kitchen from the back door. “She’s coming down the road. Whatever you’re doing, you need to be done.”
Angie snapped the last picture, then they put all the papers back into the folder and put it away. Then she got out the flour and butter and a bowl. “Felicia, can you start peeling those apples?”
“Of course, but why?” Felicia went over and washed her hands. Then she lifted the colander full of apples out of the sink and put a grocery sack into the empty sink for the peels.
“I told her we were making apple pie. I want to at least look like I wasn’t lying.” Angie grinned at her friend. “Besides, once I get this done, I can start going through the cabinets and cleaning and restocking. Maybe there’s something else of interest in there.”
“I’ll go out and work in the garden after I get these peeled and cut. Unless you need me for lunch?” Felicia was making short work of the apples.
Angie started mixing the pie dough. “No, we’ll do soup and sandwiches again. I think I’m going to have the guys barbeque some hamburgers tonight and we’ll do a couple of salads to go with it.”
“There’s a few melons out in the garden,” Felicia added.
Angie floured the counter and then took the mixed dough out to finish mixing and rolling out for pie crust. “Go ahead and bring them in now. I’ll cut some for a fruit salad for lunch. I’m really loving having the garden here and so many people to cook for.”
“You do this every day at the County Seat.” Felicia put the bowl full of sliced apples on the counter and poured lemon juice into the water to keep them from browning until Angie had time to finish the crust. “Well, every day we’re open.”
“No, we do short order stuff. One meal at a time. Cooking for a large group is different. They have to eat what I make.” Angie rolled out the dough. “I want to spend some time with Randy today too.”
Ian came into the room with the plates from Randy’s breakfast. “I have a lead on his son.”
“You do?” Angie’s heartbeat sped up. Getting Randy and his kid together would be the best thing to come out of the trip to the veteran’s home. At least someone would appreciate their involvement. Carol didn’t even want them there. “What did you find out?”
“Actually, it’s a hunch, not so much a lead. Randy said that Mai’s folks ran a restaurant in Nampa when Jacob met her. There’s still a Vietnamese restaurant open in the downtown area. It’s been there a while, but I’m not sure it’s the right one. How about we head out for a late lunch after you get the crew going? Maybe we can find someone to talk to who knows the couple.”
Felicia was drying her hands. “I can handle serving lunch and cleanup.”
“Sounds good. I’m assuming they don’t open until eleven anyway. We can leave here as soon as I get lunch set up and we’ll be back by three to start dinner. I’ll make salads this morning.” Angie frowned. She’d wanted to spend some time with Randy but this was a real lead, no matter what Ian thought.
“Can I help?” Ian glanced around the kitchen. “Or should I go paint for the rest of the morning?”
“Go help with the painting. We only have two more days after today and I want to get as much done as possible. I’m not sure Carol’s going to let anyone else in to help.” She glanced around the kitchen. “I’ll start on one section of the shelving before I stop for lunch and salads. I should be done by tomorrow afternoon with the kitchen.”
“With an attitude like that, Carol should be thankful we’re even here. I can’t believe how hard it’s been to work with her.” Felicia paused at the doorway. “Are you sure you’ll be okay in here alone?”
“I’m fine. Besides, I have Dom.” Angie glanced around the kitchen, looking for her dog. “Wait, where is he? Did someone take him outside again?”
Ian pointed toward the hallway. “He’s right there.”
“He’s lying right past Randy’s room. But he can also see you. I think even your dog knows there’s something up here and wants to keep an eye out on you and Randy.” Ian moved toward the back door to follow Felicia out. “I think you’re safe.”
Angie smiled at him. “I’m always safe. Just pop in now and then for a glass of water and make sure, okay?”
“I can do that.” He paused at the door. “Just yell really loud if something goes down.”
“Okay. Got it. Run fast and yell loud.” Angie glanced at her notebook. “Maybe I should write that down.”
“Fine, you can’t fault me for caring.” He paused before he went through the doorway. “Just stay safe.”
“I will, I promise.” Angie put the pie in the oven and started water to boil for the macaroni and eggs for the salads. She glanced up at the first section of cabinets and grabbed a step stool. “No time like the present, Nona always said.”
She climbed up and opened the first cabinet. The bottom shelves were filled with dishes. The next row up had several polished wooden crates. She found a metal tag on one and brushed off the dust. Reading the name, she frowned. “Muffy?”
Checking the others, there were five in total, she realized they all had names on them. She read the name on the last box. “Rover.”
She almost dropped the box when she realized what they were. Pet ashes. She took them out of the cabinet and set them on the counter. Then she went into the pantry and found a shelf way in the back with the larger cooking items. “Sorry guys, you don’t belong in the kitchen.”
Once that was done, she came back out of the pantry and caught Dom watching her. “Look, I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but they don’t belong in the kitchen.”
He laid his head on the floor between his paws and whined.
Angie wasn’t sure if it was in agreement or fear she’d put him into a little box. Shaking her head, she focused on the job at hand. She washed her hands again, then went back up the steps to get the stuff off the top shelf. “This kitchen is getting scrubbed.”
She took down several boxes. Opening one, she found a stack of letters. These were addressed to Mary Elizabeth Owens, Randy’s late wife. Glancing around the kitchen, she opened one and read the first line. “Dear Mom…”
Chapter 6
“Why are we bringing this box with us?” Ian carried the box to the minivan.
Angie glanced around, hoping Carol was still eating and not watching them leave. “Keep it in front of you. I don’t want her to see that we have it.”
“Carol, you mean. You’re stealing this from the house.” Ian shook his head. “Uncle Allen is going to know I helped you so I guess I’ll be in the next cell.”
“It’s not her property. Just get in the van and I’ll explain.” Angie climbed inside, then had Ian set the box on the seat between them. “I’ve been on edge since I realized what the box contains. They are letters from Randy’s son to his mom. I bet she knew exactly where he was all along. This might just lead us to Jacob.”
“Well, start reading. It’s not a long drive to the restaurant.” Ian started the van and pulled out of the driveway.
“I’ve got a plan. I’m going to read the newest ones first.” She pulled her notebook and pen out of her tote. She quickly sorted the envelopes by postmark if she could read it. If she couldn’t, she moved the envelope to the back, assuming it wasn’t readable due to the age of the stamp. Then she started reading.
She’d gone through two letters before she found the first clue. “They live in Boise. Or did in 1995. She worked as a nurse at the hospital. He ran a construction crew. They built a house.”
“Well, that might just give us what we need.” He pulled onto the main highway. “I wish I had my computer. Does it say the name of the company?”
Angie studied the pictures that fell out of the envelope with the letter. School shots. A boy with dark hair and bright eyes grinned at the camera with a missing front tooth. The girl was shy, Angie could see it in her face, but the camera had caught a slight smile. “No, but maybe he told her before. They have two kids.”
“Hold those out. Randy needs to see those.” Ian smiled as she held up the pictures. “He’s a grandfather and didn’t even know it. I didn’t know my grandfather and I wish I’d been able to meet him before he passed. Randy’s meeting these kids. I’m going to make sure of that.”
“He’s only living in that home because he thought he was alone in the world.” Angie scanned the next letter for clues.
Ian turned down the music. “That’s not exactly true. He knew he had a son. He just couldn’t get past his pride to tell him he was sorry before now.”
“Even if it means you live in a room alone?” Angie shook her head. “I don’t understand pride.”
“Well, he took the first step, asking us to help. Now let’s see if we can reunite this family.”
The restaurant was in an area of downtown that hadn’t been part of the renovation craze the town had gone through a few years back. The parking was on-street spots and Ian pulled into one close to the front door. Angie glanced at the old brick building that housed the restaurant and a pawn shop to the left. “Looks like we missed the lunch rush.”
“I’m not sure they had a rush, today or any day since 1965.” Ian exited the van and came around to open Angie’s door. “You sure you want to eat here?”
“Some of the best places look like this.” Angie smiled. “Just don’t order anything raw. Or any seafood. We’re too far away from the coast.”
“Good hints.” Ian took her arm and they walked into Jade Table. The décor was typical Chinese American restaurant in reds and golds. Asian was Asian back then, especially in small towns. The booths were covered with aging red leather and the tables were Formica. But the smell was heavenly. “My mouth is watering.”
“Ginger, grilled veggies, sriracha, and lemongrass. I might have just found a new favorite.” Angie glanced at the sign. “Where do you want to sit? The sign says to seat yourself.”
“Over there near the front. That way I can watch the door.” He put his hand on her back and led the way. “It’s a habit I picked up from Uncle Allen. He always wants to see what’s going on.”
“He’s a cop.” Angie smiled at the young woman who came to greet them. She waited for her to drop off the menus and the water glasses. “I was wondering if you knew the owners of this place. They had a daughter named Mai. About twenty years ago, I guess.”
“Sorry, my husband and I own the restaurant now. We kept the name to honor the former owners, but sometimes I wonder if we should have changed it. Business isn’t great in this part of town.” She leaned closer. “Wait! Are you Angie Turner from the County Seat? Ben and I love eating there.”
“I am. I’m glad you enjoy it. Next time you’re in, let me know and I’ll bring you back to the chef table in the kitchen. You can see how we make the magic.” Angie glanced at Ian.
“We’d love that.” She held out her hand. “I’m Xandra Holmes. So why were you asking about the Nguyens? They’re super nice people. They still live in the area. They have a house near Meridian.”
“We’re trying to find their daughter and son-in-law. His father lost touch with him years ago and now he wants to make amends.” Ian took up the conversation.
Xandra pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I don’t really know Mai. I think she lives in the valley. That’s one of the reasons the Nguyens wanted to sell. They wanted to spend time with their grandchildren.”
Ian pulled out a card. “If you would, could you call them and ask them to have Mai call me or Angie? I’ll write both of our cells on the back. We’d appreciate it.”
She took the card. “Okay, I can do that. So what ar
e you thinking about for lunch?”
“Why don’t you surprise us?” Angie held up the menu for her to take. “I’m excited to try your food.”
Ian handed back his menu. “Can you bring us some hot tea as well?”
Xandra tucked the menu under her arm. “It won’t be what you’re used to getting in England. Oolong’s softer.”
“And I thought my accent had all but disappeared.” He shrugged. “I’m not picky. I take my tea as it comes.”
“We were just in London for a holiday. So my ear might be tuned to the accent.” She laughed as the bell announced another customer. “You two have brought good luck. I never have much of a crowd after one. I’ll get your food and tea right out.”
As they waited for the tea to arrive, Ian pulled his notebook out of his jacket pocket. “Okay, so the Nguyens live near Meridian. I wonder if Uncle Allen could make some inquiries.”
“It’s worth a shot. I’m going to chat with Randy when we get back and see if he knows anything else about her family.” She checked the tea. It was still not ready. “Do you think he’ll want the letters? Why were they in the kitchen?”
“Maybe he asked Carol to move them out of his room. They could be a sore spot for him.” Ian watched the new arrivals. It was a younger couple who were more interested in each other than the menus. He nodded toward the two in a booth near the back. “Young love.”
Angie turned her head in time to see them curve into a kiss. “I don’t think I was ever into PDA like that.”
“I was. Especially when I was a teen. English girls are the best.” He poured her a cup of tea. “Present company excepted and all that.”
“Apology not accepted.” She reached over and took his hand. “Thanks for playing Greg to my Daphne.”
“All we’re missing is our Scooby-Doo. Of course, Dom isn’t really restaurant appropriate.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Any time, I love investigating with you. Just don’t tell Felicia. She thinks she and Estebe are Greg and Daphne.”