Brody Law: The Bridge / The District / The Wharf / The Hill

“I guess it’s not the first time a serial killer has used that method.”

“Serial killer?” Courtney covered her mouth when the waiter approached the table. She rattled off their order in Mandarin, and when the waiter left she focused her bright eyes on Elise again.

“How do you know this is a serial killer and not some random nut?”

Elise folded her hands around the warm cup. “Because he killed again.”

“How do you know?”

Elise explained how the runner found her purse and phone and how the killer had sent the picture of his next victim. “Then when I was at the police station working with the sketch artist, a call came in that someone had found the woman’s body.”

“Elise, this is too creepy.” She grabbed Elise’s wrist, her nails digging into her skin. “You can’t stay at the house, especially with Oscar gone.”

“That’s where you come in, if it’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay.”

The waiter rolled up a cart with enough steaming plates to feed the Hun army. When he transferred all the dishes to the table, Elise dumped a mound of sticky white rice onto her plate.

As Elise ladled three different entrees onto her plate, she wondered whether or not she should tell Courtney about the note on her windshield.

She glanced at her friend dabbing a spot of red sauce at the corner of her mouth with a napkin and decided against it. She’d shocked Courtney enough for one sunny afternoon. She didn’t need to hear the rest of the frightening details.

“Do they know how the woman died or how long she’d been there?”

“Change of subject, please. I want to enjoy my lunch.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Courtney stabbed a shrimp and shook it at Elise. “Here’s a subject change for you—how hot is this Detective Brody who’s following you around and scoring you parking places all over the city?”

Elise’s face got warmer than the kung pao chicken. “Who said he was hot?”

Courtney snorted. “You did. Every time you mentioned his name and or his heroic deeds, you got all dreamy-eyed.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Elise plucked the shrimp from Courtney’s fork and popped it into her mouth.

“Don’t forget, I read body language for a living, and you have one of those faces that show all your emotions—must be a Montana thing.”

“Okay, I succumb to your superior understanding. Detective Sean Brody is hot—tall, dark and handsome.”

Courtney held out her fist for a bump. “Well, all right. That’s one silver lining to a very scary night.”

“And you? Who’s Derrick, and did he ever call you?”

“Derrick is that fine African-American who bought us that second round of drinks.”

“Bought you a second round. I just had one, remember?”

“Whatever. After you left, we danced the rest of the night.”

“He seemed like a nice guy, but kind of a player.”

“Okay, not every guy is a player like your Montana cowboy. Look at the luscious Detective Brody. I’ll bet he’s not a player.”

She shrugged. “Doesn’t seem like it, but I don’t know much about him.”

Courtney’s phone buzzed, and as she checked the display, a crease formed between her eyebrows. “Client. I need to take this.”

“Do you want to take some of this food to go?”

“Sure. Have them pack it up.” Courtney scooted back her chair, already punching in her client’s number.

She might be a party girl on the surface, but as a therapist Courtney was committed to her clients. She’d drop everything at a moment’s notice to see them and talk them through some crisis.

Elise asked for some to-go boxes and was scooping the food into the little white cartons when Courtney returned to the table.

Courtney unhooked her purse from the back of her chair. “I’m so sorry. I’m going to have to run out on you and meet my client at my office—emergency. Can you take the food? You can go straight to my place. I’ll give you the key.”

She reached for her wallet, but Elise held up her hand. “I’ll get lunch. After all, I’m going to be your guest for the next few days.”

“Longer if you need it.” She waved to an old Chinese woman stationed by the door. “Auntie Lu, come and say hello to my friend.”

Elise stood up and exchanged a quick hug with her friend, who then kissed Auntie Lu’s pale cheek on her way out of the restaurant.

The old woman placed a hand on Elise’s arm. “Sit.”

Elise sat down and Auntie Lu arranged herself in the chair across from her.

“Courtney busy girl.”

“Courtney is a good friend.” Elise pulled some bills from her wallet and dropped them onto the check tray. “How long has your family owned this restaurant?”

“Many years. You going to watch the parade today? Starting soon.”

“I am.”

Auntie Lu tapped Elise’s teacup. “You have leaves. Do you want me to read your tea leaves?”

“Can you do that?”

“Ancient practice.” She winked at Elise and slid the cup in front of her, wrapping her gnarled hands with their painted nails and heavy rings around it.

Auntie Lu studied the bottom of the cup, and the smile she’d been wearing faded. Then she pushed the cup away. “Silly.”

A wisp of fear trailed across Elise’s flesh. “What is it? What did you see in there?”

Auntie Lu spread her crooked fingers. “Nothing. I lost my touch.”

She eased from the chair, patted Elise’s shoulder and shuffled back to her stool by the door, where she stared onto the street through the window.