Tracing Invisible Threads

by C. Fonseca

  “Yes. She was treating a young American woman, the wife of a hotelier. Tragically, the woman died, and Mei-Li was charged with manslaughter and imprisoned, awaiting trial.”

  “Oh my God, why? What went wrong?” Alexa bent forward and nearly fell off the chair.

  “The prosecutor alleged it was the herbs she was prescribing that lead to the woman’s death. After a short trial, it could not be proven. Mei-Li was released and the case was dismissed.”

  Alexa sat up straight, sucked in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. “What a relief. She surely didn’t poison her. How did the woman die?”

  “Nothing was resolved, and suspicion remained with Mei-Li. She never practiced in public again. Her reputation, both as a herbalist, and a person, was in ruins.” Gran sighed heavily. “The Brown family’s standing in the community was destroyed. I’m sure racism played a part.”

  Alexa dug her fingernails into her palms. “It’s absolutely detestable, but you’re probably right. What did she do?”

  “When Mei-Li was arrested, Otto lost his job as a junior accountant at the American hotel. The manager was the husband of the girl who died. Otto couldn’t get another job even though Mei-Li was released, and his health deteriorated. He passed away soon after.” Her voice had trailed off to a whisper.

  “Oh, Granny. What a tragedy. I can’t believe it.” Alexa rose from her seat and knelt down on the floor beside Gran, resting her head on her shoulder. “Why was this kept a secret?”

  “It was the Hamptons. They were a very influential banking family. My mother, Elizabeth, was the youngest and only daughter with four older brothers. Oswald was the only decent one, and they were all extremely protective of their baby sister. They didn’t approve of her marriage. When William’s mother was accused of manslaughter and the story emerged in the papers, they did everything possible to ensure their sister, and the Hampton name, was not embroiled in the scandal.”

  “It was hateful, Alexa. They threatened to destroy my father’s career if he ever let on that Mei-Li was his mother. A blanket of denial was thrown over the entire business,” Gran said with a muffled cry. “The whole family was sworn to secrecy.”

  Alexa was incredulous; she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She rubbed her grandmother’s back in slow circles until her breathing returned to normal.

  “I’m okay, darling.” Gran stroked Alexa’s cheek. “I want to tell you more. Where was I?”

  “What happened to Mei-Li after Otto died?” Alexa asked. “How on earth did she survive? She must have been devastated.”

  “The Chinese community rallied around her when the house was confiscated by the bank. One of the market gardening families gave her a place to live and work. My parents helped secretly, as much as they could. I remember going by steam train to visit her with Mummy and Papa once. I’m sure my father visited her whenever he was able, but he had to be so careful. We were afraid of the Hamptons.”

  “How terrible to fear your own relatives,” Alexa murmured. “But I’m still not clear as to why it had to be kept under wraps for all these years; after all, Mei-Li was not responsible for the American woman’s death.” She pulled herself up off the floor, and sagged back into her chair opposite Gran. She’d come here today hoping for answers, but what she was discovering was beyond her imagination. She was incensed that Mei-Li and her family had been treated so badly for no reason.

  “Because the cause of death was never established, the shadow of doubt has always remained with my grandmother.”

  “I find it really hard to believe my direct ancestors were so heartless. They made life incredibly difficult for Mei-Li, who had already suffered so much. And her son, William.”

  “My mother suffered, too,” Gran mumbled. She rocked back and forth, tipped her head back, and closed her eyes. “I was sworn to secrecy. I felt I had to protect Eloise. There are still Hamptons around who know Mei-Li’s story.”

  Alexa sighed. “It’s sad Mum never knew about Mei-Li.”

  “Eloise was very interested in the healing quality of herbs, just like her great-grandmother,” Gran said thoughtfully. “When your mother was a child, I introduced her to Chinese culture, including Mahjong and the Chinese New Year celebrations. We cooked authentic food together.”

  Alexa nodded in realisation. “That was your way of helping Mum to experience some of her heritage.”

  “It wasn’t enough.” Gran sighed.

  “Granny, look, Bruce is here.” Alexa scooped the cat into her arms. Her grandmother was exhausted to the point of collapse. She didn’t want to push her any further.

  “My poor boy. We didn’t even notice you come inside. You’ll be wanting me to feed you, won’t you?” Gran smiled, reaching out to pet him.

  His tail swished, brushing Alexa’s face. “I’m going to fetch his dinner, and then if you don’t mind me foraging around in your fridge, I’ll rustle us up something healthier than chocolate for an early supper.”

  “Are you sure you want to cook?” Gran supported her head with her hand and gave Alexa a slightly dazed look. “This must be distressing for you. I’m so sorry, Alexa.”

  “There’s no need for you to be sorry for me, Gran. You’re the one who’s had to carry this around on your own for all these years.”

  Bruce meowed loudly, wriggling in Alexa’s arms.

  “We’re both tired now, but we’ll have lots of time to talk when you’re ready, Gran.” She lowered Bruce to the floor. “I’ll feed him before he chews my hand off.” Alexa was grateful she had something to keep herself from dwelling on everything that had been revealed tonight.

  Alexa spooned diced meat and dry biscuits into the food bowl on the mat by the back door.

  Bruce purred loudly and brushed against Alexa’s leg before attacking the food ravenously.

  After their light meal, Gran refused Alexa’s offer to stay the night, telling her not to fuss. So, when her grandmother was propped up in bed with her latest novel and Bruce was curled up fast asleep at her feet, Alexa checked the back door was fastened and quietly let herself out the front.

  As she walked briskly to her car, the spring air was cool and pleasant on her skin. A new moon hung almost directly overhead, and the clear sky was filled with stars. She loved that this inner-city suburb was a melting pot of people, and the aromas wafting from the open windows of the homes she passed told of diverse cultures and traditions. She’d like to think people with the Hamptons’ narrow-mindedness would not be tolerated in this neighbourhood.

  Alexa climbed into her car. She rested her head against the steering wheel and closed her eyes. Granny may have accepted that Eleanor was full of good intentions, but Alexa wasn’t ready to forgive her. Even though her intent had not been to hurt anyone, Eleanor should have considered the consequences of her actions and come to Alexa with her suspicions. Alexa lifted her head and stared out into the darkness. Hadn’t she made it clear enough that she didn’t want Eleanor interfering?

  Whether Eleanor had meant to or not, Alexa’s family tree had been given an almighty shake, and the ghosts of her ancestors were cast to the four winds. There was no going back from here, only forward. “Pull yourself together,” she muttered as approaching headlights lit the inside of her car. It wasn’t just that the family secrets had been revealed. Alexa had been given a wake-up call. Determination stirred within her. She had to investigate the case against her great-great-grandmother—to learn the truth.

  Chapter 17

  Flowers and dragons

  “Okay, okay. I’m on my way. Stop banging down the door,” Eleanor cried out. She sat on the edge of her bed, pulled on her track pants, and reached around for the hoodie she’d tossed on the floor last night. Who the hell was at the door so early on a Sunday morning? Whoever it was could damn well wait. She groaned and grabbed her watch off the nightstand. It was only eight o’clock, and Eleanor’s bones were still
heavy with sleep.

  After a restless Friday night, she’d spent most of yesterday hiking. Just by herself, music through the headphones, and her camera ready. Physical exercise should have been the best way to push away thoughts of how she’d mishandled things with Alexa. Instead, every rock, every tree root, and every branch had seemed to be out to get her as images of her disastrous encounter with Alexa filled her mind. She had the scratches and scrapes to prove it. Of course Eleanor should have approached Alexa first about her hunch before playing amateur sleuth. What a fool!

  The knocking at the door grew louder. Whoever it was wasn’t going away. Eleanor groaned, cursing as she pushed herself off the bed.

  Eleanor glanced at herself in the mirror and winced. What was that bird’s nest doing on top of her head? She combed her fingers through her hair in an attempt to tame the tangles before descending the stairs.

  “Hammering on the door is a really bad way to wake up a person.” Eleanor scowled and swung open the door. “Leo? What on earth are you doing here?”

  “At least it woke you up,” he said with a smirk, walking past her and into the room. “Good morning, sunshine.”

  Eleanor pushed the door shut and followed him. “Thank goodness you’re not Mum. I don’t want to deal with her this morning,” she said. “Anyway, why are you here in your running shorts and—”

  “You asked me to go for a run with you this morning.” Leo’s eyes twinkled with amusement. He placed his hand on her shoulder, gently nudging her back until she sat down on the sofa. “You’ve forgotten. I’ve texted you several times. Where’s your phone?”

  “Turned it off last night.” Eleanor leaned forward and put her head in her hands. “I remember now. Running date, 8 a.m.” She looked up at Leo. “Are you staying for Sunday lunch?”

  “Yes, Dad asked me to help him with some papers this morning.”

  “Good. Because I’m not in the mood to sit through an inquisition from Mum.”

  He walked over to the coffee machine, checked the water level, and switched it on. “I’ll make you a coffee while you change into your gear, and then we can be off. We can take it easy, do the 5K along the Yarra River.”

  Eleanor moaned. “I couldn’t, Leo. I’m totally wiped out after my trip to the You Yangs Park yesterday.”

  “That’s not a long drive, an hour and a half tops.”

  “It wasn’t the drive. I walked the East-West Trail and Flinders Peak. It’s a decent hike with stunning views, and the wildflowers are amazing now.” She gratefully accepted the cup from her brother. “Thanks. And then I spent a few hours back here messing about in the darkroom and updating my social media stuff.” She sipped her coffee before continuing, “It was a late night. I don’t feel like chasing behind you.”

  Leo sat down beside her and put his espresso glass on the table. “That would make a nice change, because you’ve been able to outrun me since you were about fourteen.” He rubbed her shoulder. “Anyway, what’s up? When I spoke to you on Friday afternoon, you were on cloud nine, swanning around the library and looking forward to seeing the gorgeous Ms Bellamy. What’s put you in such a funk?”

  Eleanor scrubbed her hands over her face and moaned again. “Don’t even ask.”

  “What did you do?” He snickered and nudged her with his elbow.

  “Something incredibly stupid.” She grimaced.

  “Okay, tell me what happened?”

  Leo listened intently as Eleanor relayed the whole sorry story, waiting until she’d finished, then stroked his chin pensively. “I know you wanted to help, Eleanor, but you should have spoken to Alexa first before intruding.”

  She gulped her coffee and jumped up to pour another cup. “Don’t you think I’ve told myself that about a hundred times?” she growled, stabbing the start button on the coffee machine. “I’m used to following my gut instincts, and it felt right at the time. God, you should have seen the way she stared at me before she left the bar on Friday night.”

  “With daggers?”

  “More like a hurt, angry bear.”

  “I don’t blame her. It must have been a bolt out of the blue to be shown a photograph of her relative for the first time when she had no idea of her Chinese ancestry.”

  “Agreed, I was a fool. But why the secrecy?” Eleanor narrowed her eyes at Leo. “Most of us are a mixture of cultures and ethnicities.”

  “Let’s think about it. What reason could there be? What is Alexa’s grandmother trying to hide?” Leo wore his burning-with-curiosity, lawyerly look.

  Eleanor smiled, her foul mood starting to fall away at Leo’s apparent interest in the mystery. “That’s the big question. I need to know the answer.”

  Leo held up his hand. “No, Eleanor, you don’t. My mistake for suggesting it. That’s not for you to concern yourself about unless they ask for help.”

  “Why on earth would Alexa ask for my help after what I’ve done?” She sighed, deflated.

  “I do think you should stay out of it unless she comes to you,” he said. “You like the woman, don’t you?”

  Eleanor nodded in agreement, and her cheeks heated. Of course, she liked her. More than liked her.

  “Then work on getting back into Alexa’s good books. Work on your friendship and regain her trust.”

  Eleanor sighed deeply. That would be a challenge, only possible if Alexa was willing.

  “Enough of those deep sighs and pouty looks.” Leo jumped to his feet and pointed to the stairs. “Get in your gear. We’re going for that run. I’ve got a good chance of beating you today. You’ll probably trip over your long face.”

  Eleanor threw a cushion at her brother. “You can always try.”

  * * *

  “What do you mean you’ll be seeing Eleanor tomorrow?” Alexa nearly dropped the phone.

  “I’ll go,” Jac whispered. If it wasn’t for the creaky floorboards, Alexa wouldn’t have noticed her tiptoe across the room and close the lab door silently behind her.

  “Eleanor is accompanying me to the Merri Community Home on Tuesday, I mean tomorrow, to observe our Mahjong game,” Gran said cheerfully, oblivious to Alexa’s clipped tone. “She plans to photograph me and the group.”

  “What?” Alexa could hardly hear her grandmother’s words over the alarm bells going off in her head. “Isn’t your game usually on a Thursday?”

  “Yes, Alexa. Didn’t you hear me? It is especially arranged for this Tuesday. Patrick will pick me up, and we are meeting Eleanor for an early yum cha lunch at Tao Tao in Hawthorn before we make our way to the home. Patrick assures me there are plenty of gluten-free options,” Gran talked rapidly. “I hope Eleanor likes yum cha.”

  Alexa stared at the screen, speechless.

  “Alexa? Are you still there? Have we been cut off?”

  “No, Gran. I’m here,” Alexa said. “I’m just surprised. I don’t like the way Eleanor went behind my back…I mean our backs and interfered. Don’t you agree it was wrong? It was our concern.” She couldn’t believe her grandmother was taking Eleanor to the Mahjong game and out to lunch. It stung like salt in an open wound.

  Gran was silent for a moment, then said, “I agree it was ill-considered. However, Eleanor’s done us a favour. I feel a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. It was time.”

  “Are you saying the end justifies the means?”

  Gran sighed. “Perhaps, in this case, yes.”

  What could she say to that? Nothing. Alexa’s heart ached to know that her grandmother had been carrying the secret of Mei-Li and their ancestry almost her entire life. Eleanor had lifted the lid, exposed the past, and while Alexa remained angry, she couldn’t ignore the fact that her grandmother appeared genuinely relieved.

  Alexa drew herself up tall. “What did you say about yum cha?”

  “I said, I hope Eleanor likes it. Tao Tao serves excellent Cantonese fo
od.”

  Alexa clenched her teeth, supressing the snort of dismay that threatened to escape. I didn’t get an invitation.

  As if reading her mind, her grandmother said, “I’m sorry it’s not a day you can join us, Alexa. Even though you’re not particularly fond of Mahjong, it would have been fun for you to tag along, maybe play the photographer’s assistant.”

  This time, Alexa couldn’t hold back that snort.

  “Alexa, what did you say? My hearing must be failing.”

  She cleared her throat. “It’s nothing, Gran. I’d better get back to work. I have phone calls to make. Love you,” she said, ending the call.

  Five minutes later, she was still pacing. She couldn’t recall how many times she’d stopped, reached for her phone on the desk, stared at the screen, then placed it down again. It was absurd.

  She rolled her shoulders, grabbed the phone, scrolled through her contacts, and finally called Eleanor’s number.

  Maybe she won’t answer, Alexa thought when the line rang for the third time. On the fourth, she was sorry she’d even rung. On the fifth, she imagined Eleanor looking at the caller ID and choosing not to answer, in fear that Alexa would just have another go at her.

  She stared at the picture she’d assigned to Eleanor’s contact. It was taken at the cottage after dinner, once they were snugly ensconced by the wood fire. Eleanor’s face was slightly flushed from the heat and the red wine they’d shared. Her hair was ruffled. Alexa knew the taste of her precisely shaped, far-too-perfect mouth and those soft pink, sensual lips. She moaned. Why was she being tormented? She refused to think about those lips for one more moment. Alexa shook her head and was about to hang up when, after the sixth ring, Eleanor answered.

  “Hello?” Her voice was low but held a small note of trepidation.

  “Hi, this is Alexa.”

  “Hi. How are you today?” Eleanor asked slowly, as if the words were chosen with the utmost care.