Homicide and Halo-Halo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2)(25)

I sipped at my drink first so I could fully experience the beverage without the sugar dulling my palate. Adeena’s bold, rich cold brew flooded my tongue, tempered by the creamy sweetness of my beloved coconut milk. There was something else lingering in the background, but I couldn’t quite place it until I took a deep breath and the herbal flavor mingling with the coconut became familiar.

“Pandan! You used fresh pandan leaves for my drink. And coconut water instead of plain filtered water?”

Adeena grinned. “I also added a tiny bit of homemade pandan extract since the flavor isn’t as strong without the syrup. I got the idea after trying the coconut and pandan jellies in Grandma Flor’s halo-halo.”

She sighed. “I could really go for some right now, actually. Think you could grab us a couple to-go cups once your cookies are in the oven?”

“The dough needs to chill for at least half an hour, so I’ll get it then. I love that the jellies were an inspiration—we can make our own as an add-in for the drinks, like they do at boba tea shops. Tapioca pearls, jellies, and other fun stuff.” I picked up the small sample cup. “Now for the sweetened version.” I sipped at the creamy, sweet liquid, rolling it over my tongue to get the full flavor of the drink. The light, floral sweetness of the pandan simple syrup played surprisingly well with the coffee, considering what a delicate flavor pandan had. It’d be a winner even without the coconut milk, but that extra touch brought a sense of decadence without heaviness. And just like the last drink, there was a hint of something familiar . . .

I raised an eyebrow. “You added vanilla to the pandan syrup?”

Adeena clapped her hands. “You got it all! Yeah, for the sweet version, I wanted to stick with water to not muddle the flavors too much, but I remembered what you said about pandan being the vanilla of Southeast Asia. I figured the two would work well together.”

“Well, they’re both excellent. Definitely worthy of being named after me.”

Jae ambled over, hands full of herbal teas, a potted plant, and various bath products. “As your number one customer, I think it’s only right I have a drink named after me, too.” He heaped the products on the counter near the register. “Especially since Elena is taking me to the cleaners right now. Oh, can you add both our drinks to my tab?”

He grabbed his drink and leaned against the counter, taking a long, slow sip. His full lips pulled into a satisfied smile as he took in all the flavors Adeena had pulled together. “I call dibs on this one! It’s so good.”

“I figured my two lactose-intolerant buddies would love it.” Adeena winked. “It’s settled. The Brew-ha #1 and the Dr. Jae.”

She wrote the names and descriptions out on the Specials chalkboard, adding little flourishes around the names, then pointed at me with the chalk. “OK, I’ve entertained you long enough. Now spill. What’s this about a dead body?”

So I laid out the whole sordid tale, adding that Bernadette was now their prime suspect and Amir was once again our family’s counsel.

By the time I was finished, Jae’s eyes were wide and he’d crushed the sample cup I’d left on the counter in his hand. “Hyung didn’t tell me all that. I didn’t even know Rob was murdered, just that he was dead and you found the body. Poor Beth. Hope she’s holding up.”

“At least your brother told you something. I can’t believe Amir didn’t say anything! Or at least stop by to wish us luck. He was right next door.” Adeena scowled and I could tell Amir was in trouble. The Awan siblings loved each other fiercely and bickered just as fiercely. This fight was going to be a doozy.

“How do you know Beth?” I asked Jae, trying to divert Adeena’s attention for Amir’s sake.

“She’s one of my patients. Rob’s wife,” he added, for Adeena’s and Elena’s benefit. “One of my very first patients, in fact, and a diligent one.”

He paused, blushing slightly, and warning bells started ringing in my head. “What do you mean by diligent? Like, you see her a lot?”

“Fairly regularly. Can’t say much more than that. Patient confidentiality and all that.” He adjusted his glasses, avoiding my gaze by reading the instructions on the tin of lavender bath salts he was buying.

“Seems like she’s more than a patient,” I said, looking away and sipping at my coffee.

“We’re friends,” was all he offered as explanation.

“Do you think you could set up a meeting between me and this friend?”

Elena had been arranging photos and a candle on her altar while sipping a glass of iced calamansi-ade, our Filipino spin on lemonade, but she looked up at my request. “Are you investigating again?”

Adeena’s eyes lit up at the thought of sleuthing, but the frown on Jae’s face told me to tread lightly. “Not exactly. I’m a little worried about Bernadette, but they have no evidence against her. I was with Rob’s sister, Valerie, last night and figured it’s only right to extend my condolences to his wife, too. After all, Rob was an important part of the pageant.”

Jae smiled at me before finishing his drink. “That’s sweet of you. I can’t promise anything, but I should also offer my condolences. I’ll let you know if I can arrange a meeting.” To Adeena and Elena he said, “Thanks for the refreshments and the personal shopper experience. I’ll stop by for a pick-me-up after lunch. Good luck with your opening!”