Homicide and Halo-Halo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #2)(33)

“Wow, you were able to figure it out just like that? You’re a real pro,” Jae said as he grabbed a tofu-mushroom skewer for himself. I thanked him, but my tone let him know he wasn’t off the hook just yet.

“Everything is delicious, Auntie! I can’t get enough of this chicken.” Amir was attacking the chicken wings with his hands, like he was supposed to, his plate piled high with a little of everything—minus the pork barbecue, of course. “Can’t wait to see what Grandma Flor gives us for dessert.”

“You’ll get nothing unless we get back on topic,” Lola Flor said, jabbing an empty skewer in Detective Park’s direction. “How did Rob Thompson die, what evidence do you have against Bernie, and who are the other suspects?”

Lola Flor really knew how to kill the vibe in the room. Still, her bluntness got results. I wondered at what age you stopped caring what other people thought about you and just spoke your mind.

Detective Park cleared his throat. “Officially, he drowned. I can’t say anything else about an active case, especially when—”

“When the main suspect is here? Even though I know you don’t believe that?” Bernadette said. She’d been quiet all night, sticking close to Joy and helping my aunt and grandmother, but I’d be a fool to think any part of the conversation that night had escaped her notice. She had a sharp mind, a wide circle of friends, and a vengeful side—maybe we needed to schedule a hangout day to compare our notes on the case, because I didn’t believe for a second she’d left it all up to me.

Detective Park used his fork to remove a piece of barbecue from his skewer, not meeting her eyes. “You of all people know what one can and can’t talk about regarding sensitive information.”

Ninang June scowled at him. “Then why are you even here?”

Detective Park opened his mouth, but it was Tita Rosie who responded. “Because he’s a friend. We all help in different ways, but only if it can be done safely. I don’t want anyone getting hurt or losing their jobs, diba? It’s bad enough Marcus got fired last time.”

Marcus was Ninang Mae’s youngest son and a former correctional officer with the Shady Palms Police Department. He was a big help when I was accused of murdering my ex-boyfriend a few months ago.

Detective Park said, “Rosie, he wasn’t fired. He quit. It had nothing to do with his involvement with the previous case.”

I snorted at that, as I dipped my millionth kwek-kwek skewer in the spicy sawsawan. “I mean, he quit because of how incompetent and low-key corrupt the SPPD is. So it’s kind of connected?”

“You’re not helping, Lila.”

“Neither are you. You know the department is going to rush this. Sheriff Lamb cares more about saving face and impressing the mayor than making a difference. And you’re still the only one on the force who has experience investigating murders.”

“That’s . . .” Detective Park trailed off, then paused to take a sip of water. “Anyway, I’m not one to speak ill of my colleagues.”

His words were firm enough, but there was a hesitance to his voice that let me know how he really felt. “And you have full confidence that the SPPD will be objective, methodical, and thorough in its search for Rob’s killer?”

Detective Park drew his lips into a thin line. “No comment.”

“Fine, we will share information about the people we think are involved and you can tell us if we’re hot or cold,” Ninang June said.

“That’s not—”

“So let’s start with Rob’s scandals. There was his affair with Oskar Weinman’s wife. Last I heard, they’re getting divorced. There’ve been allegations of Rob flirting with the contestants every year, but I don’t think it’s ever moved past that. Though I do remember hearing about a contestant who had to be pulled one year because she became obsessed with him. Started stalking him, made all kinds of accusations against him.”

I nearly choked on a chunk of barbecue. “What? I never heard about that! When was this?”

Ninang June checked her notes. “At least a decade ago. Maybe two.”

“Oh.” I grabbed another skewer, tamping down my disappointment. “Then it probably has no bearing on this case. Let’s focus on recent scandals.”

“So there’s Oskar Weinman’s divorce.”

“He beat out William Acevedo for a construction deal.”

“I didn’t know that,” Joy piped up. “I usually follow those things.”

“Apparently, Mr. Acevedo wanted to renovate one of the old farms to turn it into a B and B for all the guests who stop by after visiting the state park nearby, but Mr. Thompson scooped him,” Detective Park said, looking over the notes the Calendar Crew had given him.

“He’s been sniffing around the pageant contestants this year too, so an angry parent might’ve killed him.” Ninang June glanced worriedly at Joy.

“He’s been trying to get with Sana to piss off Beth.”

That last tidbit came from Jae.

“How do you know that? And why would it piss off Beth? I thought they had an understanding.” I tried not to let the last word drip with sarcasm, but wasn’t sure how successful I was.

Jae shrugged. “Because she told me. I don’t really know Sana, but Beth seems to have some weird rivalry with her.”