by Leena Clover
“Eckerman’s letter! He never actually said what was in it.”
“He must have mentioned Rose Cunningham. Or maybe Charlie wrote it down somewhere. The kid figured it out. He was excited to find out he had family.”
“But Rose wasn’t exactly his family.”
“I don’t think he saw it that way. He just found out he had family, after being alone all this time.”
“It must have meant more to Leo than all that money.”
“That’s what he said to the old lady. Martin says she had no idea about all this. She’s gone soft in her death bed, according to him.”
“Nasty man,” I fumed.
“He’s nasty alright. He saw all the money slip through his fingers when Leo turned up at the Cunningham estate. He hatched a plan while Leo was talking to Rose. He took him for a tour of the property. He dropped sleeping pills in some lemonade and handed Leo the drink as he showed him around. Leo drank it all without any suspicion.”
“And he staged the suicide too, I guess.”
“Martin knew when Audrey left. Charlie’s house was empty. He could have dumped Leo anywhere but the car was a problem. So he drove Leo back to Charlie’s, and made it look like he wrote a note and took those pills.”
“Leo never saw it coming.”
“Apparently not! Martin says Leo was very happy when he took his last breath.”
I felt the tears slide down my cheeks. Leo had been better off homeless.
“We need to give Leo a proper farewell,” I spoke through my tears.
“You were a good friend to him, Meera,” Stan said. “You fought for him even when the odds were stacked against you.”
“What will Rose do now?”
“It’s up to her. She gets it all but she doesn’t have much time to enjoy any of it.”
I hung up, feeling a wave of emotion overcome me. Tony made me go wash up in the restroom. Everyone was waiting eagerly for an update. I couldn’t speak. Tony gave them a brief version of Stan’s story.
“Poor Charlie!” Pappa whispered, trying to control himself.
Dad paid up and we shuffled out. Each of us was trying to process the story in their own way.
Chapter 31
The silence in the car was palpable. Even Jeet seemed to have processed everything finally. We drove through the Angeles National Forest as I-15 wound south further into California.
“Where are we going exactly?” I asked Dad.
“You’ll see,” he said.
Sally was driving. I suppose she didn’t need any directions to go home. We were literally at her mercy. I speculated about what new hell we might encounter at the other end. I am generally not this pessimistic but the Leo tragedy had put a pall over things. All the fun we had in the past week had faded into oblivion.
Sally merged onto a local highway and we entered Pasadena after a while. We drove through Glendale and saw signs for Hollywood. Jeet was beginning to perk up. Tony and Jeet both let out a whoop when we saw the Hollywood sign. Sally drove on and finally entered the city of Beverly Hills.
“You live in 90210?” I asked.
She gave me one of her smiles, barely taking her eyes off the road.
Like any teen of my generation, I had been a big fan of Beverly Hills 90210, the teen soap that ruled television for the past decade. I still had a poster of Jason Priestly in my room. I had wished I had a convertible in high school, just like Kelly from the show.
I had assumed Sally was loaded, but her wealth suddenly took on new perspective. She lived in one of the most coveted zip codes in the country. she probably jostled elbows with film stars.
Sally finally slowed on a tree lined street and drove into what seemed like a tall hedge. It was the entrance to a driveway. The car went around a curve and stopped in front of a sprawling Spanish style house. Two giant concrete urns overflowed with flowers, guarding an impeccable emerald lawn. The intricately carved wooden door burst open and a woman bustled out. She was in her 50s, with a mop of curly salt and pepper hair, dressed in a maid’s uniform.
“Miss Sally!” she cried. “You’re home.”
Sally jumped down from the car and hugged the woman. She lapsed into Spanish and chattered away. None of us had budged from our seats. Sally finally turned around and motioned us to come out.
“This is Bianca,” she told Dad. “She takes care of us.”
Bianca shyly said Hello to all of us. Pappa was looking a bit dazed. His eyes whirled around, taking in the details of the house. A smaller building lay to a side, and I assumed it was a guest house. Sally ushered everyone in and the boys started helping Bianca with the bags.
We went into a big, comfortably furnished living room. I collapsed into an overstuffed chair and began closing my eyes. A patch of blue swam before my eyes and I sat up with a jerk.
“Is that a pool?” I burst out, sounding like Jeet.
Sally nodded, looking pleased.
“Let me show you around.”
There were five bedrooms in the house, with one master suite on the first floor. I supposed that belonged to Sally. She put us kids in the guest house.
“How long have you lived here?” I asked.
“Ten years,” Sally said.
Her fake husband must have been doctor to the stars or something similar. Or he had been dealing drugs. How else could he have afforded this mansion? Sally’s wardrobe didn’t seem surprising anymore. She probably shopped on Rodeo Drive.
“Miss Sally,” Bianca called out eagerly. “I have your favorite fajitas ready to go on the grill.”
“Thank you, Bianca. We’ll all have some now.”
No one wanted to say no to fajitas. I wiped my plate and licked my fingers clean after polishing off a big platter. Bianca’s fajitas surpassed mine. I vowed to pick up a few tips from her.
We adjourned to the guest house with our bags. Although we had just gorged on the fajitas, I was craving something sweet. I raided the fridge in the guest house and found a tray of cupcakes.
“Who do you think these are for?” I asked the boys.
“Let me ask Mom,” Jeet volunteered.
He used the intercom in the kitchen to call the main house. His laugh rolled over me, reminding me of how Leo would never laugh again.
“We can eat them,” Jeet said, hanging up. “Mom asked Bianca to make them for you. She knows you like to eat in the middle of the night.”
“I like no such thing!”
“How about a swim later?” Tony stepped in. “Have you seen that pool?”
An engine roared outside and we rushed to the windows, peering outside. The car was fire engine red and it almost hugged the ground. The driver idled in front of a garage and flipped a button. The door began rising up slowly. The driver impatiently floored the gas pedal, and the car finally shot into the tiny space.
“What in blazes…” I muttered.
Did Sally have another house guest we didn’t know about?
A door slammed and a skimpily dressed young girl got out. Her cut off shorts barely covered her butt. Large oversized sunglasses covered her eyes. She took off the glasses and squinted at the LX in the middle of the driveway.
Her face looked vaguely familiar and a feeling of déjà vu passed over me. she spotted us standing in the window and started walking toward us.
I saw Dad and Sally hurry out of the front door, just before I turned around.
Tony had rushed forward and flung the door open.
“Hola hermanos!” the girl chortled. “How was your drive?”
High school Spanish had never been my strong point. Jeet always aced it though. His face had turned green.
“Why aren’t you in school, Cristina?” A stern voice called from the door. “And what were you thinking, taking the car out by yourself?”
I had never seen Sally look so formidable.
“Hola Mama!” the girl cried, and tottered over to hug Sally.
Sally’s face softened for a moment as she let herself be hugged.<
br />
“Bianca said you were visiting. So here I am.”
Dad had come inside by then. He stood next to me, holding my arm.
“Why don’t we all sit down?” he said in his professor’s voice.
“Mom?” Jeet asked fearfully. “Why is she calling you Mama?”
I connected the dots before Sally opened her mouth.
“Jeet, Meera, this is Cristina, your baby sister.”
Cristina lunged toward us, folding Jeet and me in a bear hug.
“I’m so happy to meet you at last.”
Dad refused to meet my eye as my gaze bore into him. He must have known about this for some time. Why had no one thought to give us some warning?
“How old are you?” I asked, trying to hide my shock.
“Fifteen,” she chirped. “Almost nine years younger than you, Meera.”
She turned toward Jeet.
“I always wanted an older brother.”
My eyes met Sally’s over her head. They were brimming over with unshed tears. I don’t know how much Sally really remembered about her past life but she had accepted us as family.
I was the only one holding back.
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading Back to the Fajitas.
I had a great time writing this book and I hope you enjoyed reading it.
If you enjoyed the book, please consider writing a review here.
Your feedback helps me get better at what I do. It is also a great way to let other cozy mystery readers know what you thought of the book.
Every review you write makes a big difference in many ways.
This is the best way to support me and my craft so that I can continue this and bring you more such books.
Thanks again for spending time with Meera and family. Hope to see you again soon.
~ Author Leena Clover
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Glossary
Desi – broadly refers to people from the Indian subcontinent
Gujarati – of the Indian state of Gujarat; pertaining to people from the western Indian state of Gujarat
Ba – Mother
Motee Ba – Grandma, literally Big Ma – pronounced with a hard T like in T-shirt
Thepla – a flatbread made with wheat flour, pan fried. Chopped fenugreek leaves are often added to the dough along with spices like turmeric and coriander.
Gadhedo – ass; used as an expletive
Chevdo – snack mix made with seasoned rice flakes
Laddu – Indian dessert made with clarified butter, flour and sugar, rolled into a ball.
Dhebra – Gujarati snack made with millet flour, seasoned with tamarind and sesame seeds and deep fried. It has a chewy texture and earthy taste.
Bhel – popular Indian street food snack, made with puffed rice, fried snack mixes and many condiments.
Khichdi – stew made with rice and lentils
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Books by Leena Clover
Gone with the Wings – Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WHNM6K
A Pocket Full of Pie - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q7B47P/
For a Few Dumplings More - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072V3T2BV
Back to the Fajitas - Meera Patel Cozy Mystery Book 4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748KPTLM
RECIPE - Masala Chai/ Chai Latte
Ingredients
1.5 cups water
1 cup milk
¼ tsp Tea Masala (see below)
2 tsp tea powder or 2 tea bags
Method
Add milk and water to a sauce pan.
Add in the spices or spice mix. Bring to a boil.
When mixture boils, simmer for a minute so that spices are infused.
Lower heat and add tea powder or tea bags.
Boil for 2-3 minutes until the mixture changes color. Boil more for a stronger tea.
Drain and serve immediately.
Add sugar according to taste.
Tea Masala Spice – Available in online stores or Indian stores as a spice mix. You can make your own for 2-4 cups of tea. Take 1 green cardamom pod, 1 clove, 3 white peppercorns and crush them in a mortar. Add this to the milk/ water mixture along with ¼ tsp ground ginger. You have your very own fresh tea masala or spice mix.
RECIPE - Vegetable Puffs
Ingredients
1 cup green peas
1 cup boiled, cubed potatoes
½ tsp crushed garlic
½ tsp grated ginger
¼ tsp minced jalapeno (optional)
¼ tsp garam masala or curry powder
1 tsp oil
Salt to taste
4-6 puff pastry sheets
Method
Blanch the green peas and drain completely. Pulse in food processor until coarsely ground.
Heat oil in a pan.
Add in ginger/garlic/chili and immediately add the peas. Fry for a few seconds. Then add in the spices and the potatoes. Switch off heat.
Mash until well mixed. Cool completely.
Slightly roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut into 3-4 parts, about 3 inch by 3 inch.
Place a spoonful of the veggie mixture in the center. Bring together the ends and seal to join in a triangle or rectangle shape. Bake these puffs in a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
Serve hot with sauce of choice.
RECIPE - Avocado Chili Salad
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
4-6 ripe tomatoes
2 green chilies – jalapeno, Hatch etc.
1-2 limes, juiced
2 Tbsp honey
8 oz Queso Fresco, cubed
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
Method
Chop avocados and cover with lime juice to prevent oxidation.
Chop tomatoes in similar sized chunks and add to avocado
Mince or chop chilies (use jalapeno or poblano if you don’t have Hatch chili)
Add the cilantro, cheese, salt and pepper, honey and olive oil.
Toss lightly.
Serve immediately or refrigerate.
RECIPE - Chili Honey Corn
Ingredients
4 corns on the cob
½ cup green chili sauce/ salsa
1 lime juiced
½ cup olive oil
¼ -1/2 cup honey
Salt to taste
½ cup goat cheese
Method
Mix the chili sauce, oil, honey and salt to form a marinade.
Grill the corn on a hot gas stove or grill. When almost cooked from all sides, slather the marinade on the corn and grill for a minute or two more.
Serve with fresh lime wedges and goat’s cheese crumbled on top.
RECIPE - Bhel Poori
Ingredients
6-8 cups puffed rice (murmura)
1 cup sev (Indian fried noodles)
1 cup farsan or mixture
1 cup onion, diced fine
1 cup tomatoes, diced fine
1 cup boiled potatoes, cubed
¼ cup cilantro, diced fine
1-2 jalapeno pepper
s, minced
¼ tsp cumin, ground
½ tsp Chat masala
½-1 cup sweet date tamarind chutney
Salt to taste
Method
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Serve immediately.
Note – potatoes should be cold. You can also make a paste of cilantro and jalapenos and use it instead of the minced version.
Ethnic ingredients are easily available in Indian grocery stores or online retailers like Amazon. Here are a few sample links –
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KNV9HI
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUXM4X2/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMU2TPC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0VTR3W/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003350WQQ/