Two Egg Rolls and a Side of Murder: Cheongsam Fashion Mysteries

Twelve

Chapter One

What is it about romance and the element of danger? Personally, I think the combination makes for a hot date. There’s simply something so appealing about intrigue and mystery. Wouldn’t you agree?

I’m Joy-Li Judson, vintage loving, Personal Shopper, and Harpeth Hollow, Tennessee’s local sleuth. Tonight, my boyfriend Kyle James, and I are enjoying some Chinese-American cuisine with a side of murder.

This is my kind of night. My adrenaline rushes with the thought of a new crime to help solve.

Let me get you up to speed. I’m starting to sound a bit macabre in my love of murder.

It all began when Kyle ordered a side of egg rolls.

Thank you for humoring me and coming here with me, Joy-Li. I know The Imperial Wok isn’t authentic Chinese. Like the kind of Chinese you cook for me, or Granny Chai, or your Auntie An Wu. You have to admit, though, the menu is pretty terrific. Don’t’ you think? said Kyle. Kyle is my adorable and hunky boyfriend. We’ve been a couple for nearly a year now. I am crazy about him except for a couple of things: 1.) he drinks American beer-not Chinese beer , and 2.) he’s convinced himself that Chinese-American cuisine is authentic Chinese.

It is not. The food referred to as Chinese food in America is a separate entity uniquely American. Not Chinese. General Tso’s chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Fortune cookies are not served in China. To be fair, these dishes were created by Chinese cooks and chefs with the American palette in mind.

And that’s fine.

It’s just not Chinese. Like I cook. Frankly, The Imperial Wok pales by comparison to my family’s cooking. The restaurant is relatively new in town and from the looks of the always full parking lot, business is better than good. The restaurant is a chain of faux authentic Chinese –American restaurant’s . There are 350 throughout the country. Harpeth Hollow’s Imperial Wok is one of the new and larger ones.

The owner of the restaurant chain, Shuang Liu, moved to Harpeth Hollow a few months ago to supervise the final renovations of this location. I’ve seen him-in his Bentley- driving around town. I’ve not met him (personal shoppers and multi-millionaires don’t run in the same circles), but I understand Shuang Liu views himself as quite the player and ladies’ man.

This girl is a fan of Gentlemen, not playboys. Which is the very reason Kyle is so easy to be around. He’s always the gentleman. I love that about my boyfriend. It makes it easier to overlook the fact that tonight he’s considering ordering something called Dynamite Shrimp and Egg Rolls.

Seriously? At least he’s left the pumpkin wontons with candied walnuts alone.

I’ll have the salt and pepper prawns with edamame, I tell the waiter.

Green tea for both of you to drink? the waiter asks.

Perfect, Kyle tells him.

The waiter takes our order with him to the kitchen. Kyle launches into his Chinese-American cuisine sales pitch, round two. Did I tell you, The Imperial Wok has been featured on Food Network, Cooking Channel, and The Travel Channel as well? How bad can it be if all three networks can agree on it?

Look, not to complain ... and I certainly don’t want to ruin the possibility of romance tonight.... Here’s my issue- The Imperial Wok is NOT authentic Chinese. They are pretending to be something they’re not. This is not real Chinese food. Just say, we are a Chinese-American restaurant." What’s the big deal? Where’s the harm in being honest? My frustration with the chain is that it pretends to be something else. That’s annoying. I’m uncomfortable with the dishonesty.

Besides, we both know I can easily out cook anyone in that kitchen.

Ok, I do agree with you there. You are a magnificent cook. I just thought it would be nice to try something different for us. I didn’t mean to upset you, Joy-Li, said Kyle.

He IS the perfect boyfriend, isn’t he? I’m not upset at all with you. It’s simply that places like this give Chinese food a bad name. All these artificial ingredients, glow in the dark colors in many of the sauces, too much meat and not enough vegetables, and the gross amounts of sugar that’s added to everything.... It makes my head spin. And not in a good way. You know?

Just then we hear a blood- curdling scream from behind the kitchen door. This time my head really does spin around. Out from the restaurant kitchen tumble two of the waiters. They both begin speaking rapidly in Chinese. The men are extremely upset and appear to be in the early stages of shock. At first they don’t make a lot of sense.

What’s going on? What happened? Kyle asks me.

I’m having a hard time understanding everything. They are talking so fast. One said, ‘there’s been a suicide. It’s Dr. Wang. The waiter found Dr. Wang hanging in the downstairs store pantry.’ Poor man, I said. "It’s a tragedy about the doctor and a difficulty for the waiter who found him. Death is always traumatic. Even when you see it coming. To discover a body in an unexpected location is certainly a jolt.

And Dr. Bai Wang. I can’t believe it. Kyle, do you know who he is?

Yeah. He’s Granny Chai’s podiatrist right? I remember when she sprained her foot in the garden the other week during garden clean up. Wasn’t he her doctor? Granny Chai is my Chinese Grandmother . She along with my Grandfather Cai raised me after my parents were killed in a car accident when I was ten years old. She’s a passionate gardener who maintains a year round vegetable garden. Granny Chai hurt her foot not long ago.

Yes, but he’s more than that. In fact, he’s much more than a great podiatrist. He’s the one who sponsors the annual charity ‘Foot Ball.’ You know the formal black tie ball that raises money for his charity, I said.

Right. It’s the one with the funny name. But Dr. Wang does do great work on behalf of children in Tennessee who are born with Club Foot and other foot issues. What’s the charity called again?

Vic-toe-rious, I replied.

"Vic-toe-rious. And he sponsors a fund raiser dance, called The Foot Ball. You’ve got to love a doctor with a sense of humor like that. Why would he kill himself? And why in the world here? The waiters said they found him hanging?

Think he was an investor? asked Kyle.

I have no idea about where Dr. Wang kept his money. It’s possible I guess. You’re assuming it’s suicide. We don’t know... yet. I ignore Kyle’s disapproving glance and lean in to overhear additional details from the restaurant staff. I’m not getting much. I can only over hear bits and pieces so far:

They are trying to keep things business as usual for the other customers.

The police are on their way.

No one is to touch anything until the police arrive.

That’s about it.

Honestly, even I’m not comfortable eating food from a kitchen that is currently sporting a hanging corpse. Of course I’m not planning on going anywhere else any time soon. I’m not one to walk away from a good sale or a good murder.

Not that murdering someone is a good thing to do, mind you. Murder is a heinous crime- the killer should be caught and brought to justice.

I love being in the thick of the problem solving. My friends and family struggle with that part a little.

More than a little. They worry. They think I’m obsessive when it comes to solving mysteries. Just because the hit and run driver who killed my parents has never been caught doesn’t mean that I’m compulsive about closure.

I say, it doesn’t. My family and friends worry about my safety. I get it. I understand.

I’m not changing my mystery loving ways, however. Looking forward to chatting with the police when they arrive.

Time to distract Kyle I think. He’s looking restless and ready to go.

What do you think of my new dress? I found it on Etsy for $22. I know it’s too dressy for a place like this. But I wanted to wear it since it’s new. New vintage of course I mean. Besides, you’re a good excuse for me to slip on a pair of silk stockings and heels. Care to comment? I cast an intense glance Kyle’s way.

Tonight I’m wearing a champagne colored satin dress. The sleeveless dress has three soft pleats that drape beautifully across the neckline. The full and feminine skirt has a beaded design of scallops and flowers several inches wide all along the edge. The beige beadwork and the soft neckline make this dress very, flattering and feminine. I’ve completed the look with a pair of matte pumps and a vintage beige beaded handbag. Too fancy for dinner at The Imperial Wok, but just right for making my boyfriend purr.

I love vintage clothes almost as much as I love mysteries. I work as a personal shopper for Franklin’s Department store (Tennessee’s largest and fanciest department store). Unfortunately, I can’t dress head to toe vintage for work. My boss encourages me to wear clothes from the store. I am usually able to quietly sneak in one vintage item on my body without it becoming an issue. I think of my clothes for work as a uniform. My vintage items are purely for me and are pure pleasure. I make up for lost time and wear primarily all vintage in my off hours. Like tonight for instance.

This cocktail dress certainly goes well with a mystery. Dr. Bai Wang’s apparent suicide is just that.

Before Kyle can respond to my shameless attempt at distraction, two black and white police cars with sirens and lights going, appear in the parking lot. Riding in the passenger seat of one vehicle is Detective Stan Chesterton. He’s Harpeth Hollow’s lead Detective.

I’ve met the detective on several occasions. We first met a while back when my Grandparents house was burglarized (But nothing was taken. Weird, right? Disturbing and confusing too). The detective asked for my number and began walking down the road toward a dinner invitation. I politely turned him down. He was fresh off a divorce at the time.

Of course now I have Kyle. Dinner with Detective Chesterton is therefore a non-option.

The second time I encountered the Detective is recently. I helped solve the murder of Harpeth Hollow’s, wealthy, Lesley Jane Cranemoore. Mrs. Cranemoore was a personal shopping customer from Franklin’s. The socialite was murdered in her own backyard, impaled in the neck.

I don’t think the Detective was overly thrilled with my involvement in the case at first. There were times when he actually found me annoying and in the way. Can you imagine?

When I helped him solve the case, however, things changed between us. I won’t go so far to say Detective Stan Chesterton likes that I outwitted the police force and discovered the true killer of Mrs. Lesley Jane Cranemoore. But now, he respects my opinion.

At least a bit.

The restaurant is buzzing with activity. The police burst through the front doors. Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention? There’s been an incident. We need everyone to remain calm and remain seated. The officers will be taking your names and numbers, said Detective Chesterton.

Kyle and I see Chesterton and one of the officers disappear into the kitchen. The other officers secure the front door and begin talking to the staff.

Looks like we’re going to be here a while. I wonder if we’ll get dinner after all? asks Kyle.

Really? You can still eat? I’m sure there’s no cooking going on behind that double door. Especially now that Chesterton has arrived on the scene. I’ll cook us something delicious and healthy and REAL Chinese when the police let us leave. Ok? There’s healthy Chinese in my immediate future. A new vintage dress, easy Chinese dinner and now a mystery.... This is turning out to be a memorable date night.

I see Chesterton remerge in the dining room. He scans the room. His eyes land squarely on Kyle and me. Probably more on me than on Kyle. He walks towards us with purpose.

Hmmmm.

I’m just here. At The Imperial Wok... in my vintage best.... With my cute boyfriend.... Eating fake Chinese food... And now there’s a body of a well- liked doctor.

Good evening, Joy-Li. Kyle, said Chesterton. Tell me something Joy-Li. How do you manage it?

Manage what, Detective? I respond.

Manage to show up whenever I’m called to investigate a body? said Detective Chesterton.

Tonight, I was invited. By Kyle. It’s date night. We have heard so very much about the new Imperial Wok we had to come check it out. So, Dr. Wang committed suicide? By hanging? In the kitchen? I smile my most charming smile at the Detective.

In the background I hear Kyle let out a long slow sigh. Well, we’ll be dealing with that. For now though, I’ll ignore his comment and deal with male attitudes later.

Detective Chesterton isn’t amused. But, he answers my questions. Yes, it appears the man the waiters found hanging in the restaurant’s store pantry is the podiatrist, Dr. Bai Wang. Are you familiar with him? A patient of his maybe?

Yes, I certainly know of him. I met him once a few weeks ago. My Grandmother hurt her foot in the vegetable garden and I drove her to her appointment with Dr. Wang. He seemed very, very nice. And not depressed. I remember we talked a little bit about his work with Tennessee children and Vic-toe-rious, I said.

Sorry? His work with what kind of toes? The good detective appears genuinely confused.

I’ll set him straight and hopefully get additional answers in the process. "Vic-toe-rious. It’s the name of Dr. Wang’s charity. He leads the way in Tennessee – and the south- in the healing and recovery of Club Foot and other foot abnormalities. You may have heard of Dr. Wang’s annual Foot Ball?

"It’s a black tie event he uses to raise money to pay for treatment for those who can’t afford medical foot care, but need it.

You were saying why you thought the kind doctor might have committed suicide? I find if I babble at full speed, occasionally people will answer before thinking.

Yes, well.... I can’t discuss the details other than to say, it appears to be suicide. I’ve got both your names and address information added to the list. You’re free to go. There may be questions later in the investigation, said the detective.

I’ll be sure and call you with anything I find out, I said.

Detective Chesterton pauses in thought, I’m confident you will, Joy-Li. However, there’s no need for you to involve yourself in the investigation. Good night.

Kyle stares me down. Did you hear, Joy-Li what the police detective said? There’s no need for your involvement. You heard that part, right?

Yes. I heard. Crystal clear. Ready to head back home? There’s no need for my involvement is there? I don’t need anyone’s permission to ask a few questions do I? I have no intention of waiting for the autopsy results.

Dr. Wang was always happy and relaxed, not dark, depressed and moody. His life was all about focusing on the needs of others not on himself. He doesn’t fit the typical mold of people who commit suicide.

And why kill himself at The Imperial Wok? I’d think at home or his office would be a more expected location. It all seems out of character for Dr. Wang.

I know I’m missing a secret here. Most likely many secrets. Could it be Dr. Wang, easy- going Harpeth Hollow podiatrist, is a complex man with spider web like complications in his life?

We all have secrets. I know I have mine. Why I love vintage and why I am a compulsive scarf knitter on a quest to knit 1,000 scarves, are my two big secrets. I’ll explain my passion for vintage clothing later along with the reason for the scarf-a-thon.

Kyle and I are both quiet at first in the car. My apartment isn’t a long drive from the restaurant- maybe 20 minutes if traffic cooperates. My brain is spinning with questions about the doctor’s death. Kyle, meanwhile, appears to be weighing his words and contemplating his thoughts. Wonder what that’s all about? Another lecture on how I should leave police work to the police perhaps?

You ok? How about sesame soba noodles and chive dumplings for a late dinner? Sound good? We have wine, so we’re all set with that. The noodles and dumplings won’t take me long to put together. I watch him drive. His left hand is on the center of the steering wheel. With his right hand, he reaches and holds my left hand.

Yes. I love those dumplings. I think I could eat my weight in dumpling without much effort. Joy-Li, I don’t want you to obsess, but I’ve been in Dr. Wang’s home. Clare Wang called me at Tennessee Decks. She wanted us to replace part of her massive deck. I met with her maybe ten days ago. Kyle looks over at me nervously. Tennessee Decks is his own deck building business. He’s created quite the reputation for himself as a master builder for unique designs. He’s one of the best in the state.

"You’ve been to their house and you’re just now bringing it up? What is she like? A trophy wife I presume? What about the house? I’ve heard rumors that it’s filled with all kinds of high tech gadgets. Is that true? Is it futuristic? Are there high tech appliances? Doors that open with the touch of a remote?

"What about fish? In Dr. Wang’s office he has four, six foot long fish tanks? These things are huge and full of exotic fish. Are there any exotic fish in the house?

"I really want to hear about the wife, though. Is she young, blonde, 34-24-34? Does it look like she’s had any work done on her face? Or other parts lifted and tucked? What’s she like?

These are very important questions, Kyle. I need to know the answers. I cross my arms. How could he forget to mention, he’s been inside Dr. Wang’s house?

I knew I shouldn’t have told you. See, now you’ll obsess, said Kyle.

I won’t I only want to know a little more of what the doctor’s home life was like. Can’t you understand that? Now, back to the Mrs. ..... Tell me about Clare Wang and her house. Is it high tech like I’ve heard? I’m going to be quiet so Kyle can answer.

"Yes, it is high tech. I guess that’s what you’d call it. The entire house is very modern. You can tell that from the outside of course. I think