Sorry, I shouldve told Captain Murdock I was next door consulting with Pat Wilkinson on an old case. Did the chief need something specific? Should I bother her at home or try her cell?
No. Shes attending a city council meeting tonight. She only wants to be called in extreme emergencies, Annette said.
Id never contact her after hours without authorization, Mei stated firmly. People at the precinct already thought she, Risa, Crista and Lucy had undue access to Catherine. The last thing Mei wanted was for another rumor to start. Not that Annette would talk out of turn I wont be going straight home, either, she added. I plan to work out for a while at the Shao-Lin Martial Arts Studio. Chief Tanner has the number. Could you add that information to your note? In case she comes back after her meeting and wants to reach me after reading this report.
Annette nodded. Mei waited to make sure the woman did place the envelope on Catherines desk. Call her paranoid, but early in her career shed had an important report inexplicably disappear. She swore shed turned it in, and the man responsible for handing it over to a superior was just as insistent that shed done nothing of the sort. Since then Mei had tracked the progress of her reports.
Forty-five minutes later, having donned a loose-fitting shirt and pants to work out in, Mei was in the process of closing her locker when Crista Santiago bounded into the dressing room. Crista always did everything with a limitless energy that Mei envied. Mei was tired of avoiding her old friends. Words had flown and meanings were misconstrued after Risa was wrongly accused of shooting and killing her partner. Some of the once-close group of women had felt a need to pull back for the sake of their own fledgling careers, and hard feelings still existed. So many times she and Crista had talked about working out together again. Thinking tonight was as good a chance as any, Mei Lu shot her friend a welcoming smile.
Qué pasa? Crista said, unable to sidestep Mei Lu.
Mei shrugged. Nothings happening in my lifehow about yours? Are you upset, Crista? Or annoyed? Those are the only times Ive heard you revert to Spanish.
Could be Alexs influence, she said, referring to her fiancé, a man shed met when shed investigated the drive-by shooting of his daughter. Or it could be the fact that I had a double homicide last night on the east side, and Im beat. Two teens vying for top spot in their gang. So senseless, the dark-eyed woman said as she pulled on a T-shirt and sweatpants. But I think youre holding back, Mei. Right before I left the station I heard whispers that you tangled with Captain Murdock. Crista lowered her voice. Can you talk about it?
Mei lifted an eyebrow. Wow, news does travel at the speed of light. I wouldnt say we tangled, exactly. You know Murdock and his cutesy names. I merely informed him Id rather he called me Lieutenant or Lieutenant Ling.
Crista whistled through her teeth. Just watch your back, okay? I hear Murdock blocked another womans request to join his staff. Its no secret that he favors the likes of Eddie Fontanero. I avoid Sergeant Creepo at all costs.
Ive heard the rumors. But those incidents were a few years ago. Before Catherine was made chief.
Yeah, I know. Still Crista let the word trail off as she tugged on wristbands and started warming up. Hey, does Catherine seem on edge to you?
Mei paused in her own stretches. How so? She considered their morning meeting. I saw her today. I get the feeling shes exceptionally busy.
Crista flung her arms from side to side. Thursday, she and I passed in the parking garage. Cathy seemedI dont knowunusually distracted. She almost always has time for small talk, and she didnt. Know what I mean?
Mei nodded. Yes, but I didnt see anything unusual I could point to.
Me, neither, Crista murmured as the women walked into the main gym and rolled out mats. Not until Alex brought some articles in the paper to my attention. I have to agree with him that someones gunning for Cathy. Maybe someone outside the department. Alex believes its pressures coming from in-house. Maybe corrupt cops.
Mei faced Crista out on the main studio floor. Want a partner? At her friends surprised nod, the two women bowed, as was customary in the martial art of Wing Chun. As was also Meis habit when any of her friends brought up their significant others, she abruptly fell silent.
If Crista thought that odd, she didnt comment. Because as soon as Crista faced an opponent, her mind and body focused totally on winning her match. Which she generally did handily, especially when Mei Lu was her partner. Early on in the womens relationship, the fact that Mei was notably inept when it came to martial artsa skill everyone seemed to assume should be hers by birthrighthad turned out to be a source of levity at the academy.
At a young age, Mei did attend wushukung fu classes with Stephen. She soon fell behind her more dedicated sibling, and Grand Master Chin had advised Mei to seek a new pursuit. By her third day at the academy, she wished shed applied herself more back then. Mei would be eternally grateful to Crista for taking her under her wing. Committed to her sport, and good at it, Crista offered Mei after-hours sessions that paid off. Shed improved, and had actually moved on to intermediate level, a matter of pride for both women. Mei would settle for solid competence. Crista had her sights set on attaining her masters level.
This afternoon, Crista landed a punch Mei should have easily blocked. After the third time Crista had to help Mei off the floor, it became apparent that Meis attention kept wandering to a childrens class going on in another part of the vast gym.
Somethings up with you. Even at your worst, you never just handed me a match. Bending, Crista picked up and uncapped a bottle of water. You know one of those kids over there?
Huh? Oh, no. Flushing, Mei grabbed a small towel and blotted sweat from her neck. Sorry, I cant seem to concentrate.
Thats evident. Crista recapped her bottle. Are you leveling with me about El Capitan Weasel?
Mei Lu grinned. I wouldnt assign Murdock that much importance. She reached for her own water and splashed some on her face. My mind must be stalled on a new case I went out on today. There were these really cute, precocious kids.
Corporate criminals getting younger every day, are they? Crista teased.
The twins have nothing to do with the case. Their father is connected totoInterpol.
Crista snorted. Lucky you. At least, in your work, nobody dies.
Someone did, though, Mei blurted out. Then she winced. I shouldnt have said that, Crista. The case is classified. I should just put it out of my mind. As far as I know, my part in the matter began and ended today after I translated a letter.
Oh. Cristas eyebrows became a slash over the bridge of her nose. Hey, whats this? A chink in Mei Lus armor? Am I hearing personal interest ina man? The man from Interpol, she singsonged.
Mei dropped her water bottle and hurriedly grabbed it before too much could puddle on the mat. Her heart raced again at the indirect mention of Cullen Archer. And that disturbed Mei. Honestly, Crista. Ever since you fell in love, you see romance around every corner. I said a man died.
Okay, okay. Youre so touchy. Dead guys are right up my alley. You want to skip this session and talk about your case?