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“You do have to scroll down a bit,” Sana says.
“Well, yes, but it still counts as the front page.”
“What is headline?” Vera says. She can already see it in her mind’s eye: “Vera Wong, Owner of Famous Teahouse, Solves Another Murder Case!”
Oliver’s forehead scrunches as he tries to remember. “It was something like ‘Married Couple Arrested in Bay Area Human Trafficking Ring.’ ”
“What?” Vera snaps. “Not even mention me?”
Oliver, who’s only now seemed to realize that he’s somehow landed himself in hot water, gazes back at her with wide eyes. “Um.” He looks at the others, wordlessly pleading for their help.
“The article mentioned you a lot,” Julia says. Oliver mouthsthanksto her.
“Oh yes? What it says about me?”
“That you’re a super sleuth,” Aimes pipes up.
Vera isn’t quite sure what a “sleuth” is, but from the way Aimes says it, she reckons it’s a good thing, so she settles back in her chair with a smug smile.
“And they called you a ‘TikTok personality,’ ” TJ mutters.
“Who is represented by you, Dad,” Robin says. “He’s gotten more business because of it.”
“The TikTok personality?” Vera echoes. She likes the sound of that. She gives TJ a Cheshire grin. “I tell you I am a star, didn’t I?”
“Okay, Vera, you were right. Thank you for saving my business.”
“You are welcome,” Vera says magnanimously. “And what will happen to these…human traffickers?” The two words are spat out with distaste.
At this, Selena says, “Well, we won’t know until their trial, but my bet is they’re going to be in a maximum security prison for the rest of their lives.”
Penxi gives a grim smile. Vera reaches out and grasps her hand, giving it a tight squeeze before letting go. “I’m okay,” Penxi says, but Vera knows that both the physical and mental scars that Penxi’s captors have inflicted on her will be ones she carries with her forever. But she’s got a strong support system now, and she’s through the worst of it. Vera makes a mental note to ply Penxi with extra delicious food for the next two decades.
Clearly wanting to change the subject, Penxi turns to TJ. “So, your business is back up and running? That’s amazing.”
“Well, not quite. I don’t have the funds to reopen the office just yet, so we’re working out of my house right now, which is kind of chaotic, but also—”
“It’s been awesome. I love having everyone over all the time,” Robin says. “And I get to spoil Elsie’s baby. She’s such a cutie.”
TJ gives Robin a tired smile. “It’s…something all right.”
“That sounds really great,” Aimes says.
“Yeah,” TJ says. “I’ve actually been meaning to reach out to you to see if you’re looking for representation.”
“Oh!” Aimes looks surprised, then she laughs. “I…you know what, I would’ve jumped at that before, but I’m actually taking a break from social media.” She glances at Julia and Sana, and they give her an encouraging nod. “I think I need time to figure out what I want to do with my life.”
“And that’s okay,” Julia says.
“Yeah,” Aimes says.
Vera pats her on the arm. “You will be okay, Aimes, you a bright girl.” Privately, Vera starts a list of careers she will suggest toAimes in the coming weeks. A psychologist. A lawyer. A wedding planner. She’s going to have to brainstorm this. She looks around the tables and wonders who she should rope into a brainstorming session. There are so many choices. She settles on Qiang Wen. He’s been less lonely ever since she’s taken him under her wing, and Riki tells her that he and Sana often drop by Qiang Wen’s place for dumplings, but he could do with a project. As though reading her thoughts, Qiang Wen meets her eye. They share a smile of understanding at each other.
“Ah, this is like a brasserie in Paris,” Winifred says.
“What is it with you and France?” Vera says.
“What is it with you and pretending you are private investigator?”