Page 28 of Kiss Her Goodbye

Daryl, however, refused to take me.Too dangerous, he said.

I cajoled, threatened, then flat-out badgered the man.In the end, I got a curt promise: “I’m not taking you to a crime scene.But I will bring the crime scene to you.”

I still have no idea what that means, and the fact he’s barely spoken to me since has only added to my irritation.

“How do you know so much about Afghan food?”I demand to know now.

A single-shoulder shrug.“Tucson is known for its culinary scene.Been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy.Theair force base helps—deploys thousands overseas.They discover new and exciting food while abroad, then bring those tastes home.”

“I’m still angry with you,” I inform him.

A second shrug.“And I’m still right.”

We are saved from further arguing as a gorgeous Latina in form-fitting jeans, a deep-red peasant blouse, and chunky turquoise jewelry comes storming through the entrance.Her glossy brown curls are piled high enough to justify their own zip code, while her giant silver earrings could easily double as lethal weapons.She immediately homes in on Daryl, stalking toward our table and planting herself in Daryl’s line of sight.

“What.The.Fuck,” she states.

Daryl picks up his doogh.Takes a long milky sip.I settle in to enjoy the show.

“Are you getting yourself in trouble again, Daryl?Because I might not be your parole officer anymore, but that doesn’t mean I won’t haul your sorry ass in.Asking questions about a double homicide?Seriously—”

“I see your brother called you.”

“Of course he called me!Daryl, what went down in that warehouse is not good news.If you know something pertinent—”

“I never know anything pertinent.”

“Daryl D.Daniels!”

That’s his full name?Daryl D.Daniels?Now I’m fully invested in the drama.

“What aren’t you telling me, Daryl?”On cue, her gaze slides over to me.“And who are you?”

“Umm, Frankie Elkin?”

“Is that a question or a statement?What, you don’t know your own name?”

Damn, she’s good.

“Leave her alone,” Daryl orders.“Chase her off andIgotta feed the snakes.”

“Oh.”Mystery woman’s eyes light up.“She’s Bart’s latest misfit?”

“Exactly.”

“When not running in fear from hungry snakes,” I provide, “I locate missing people.For the fun of it.”

“What?Wait.Whoare you again?”

I’m saved by Aliah, who returns with a steaming platter of something that smells amazing.She nonchalantly slides the dish onto the table, while giving the new woman a quick up and down.

“You are Daryl’s friend?The one who can tell us all about the murders?”

“Seriously, Daryl?I’m gonna kill you for this.Absolutely, positively, wring your oxen-sized neck.But first”—the woman’s gaze lands on the freshly arrived food—“is that mantou?Somebody, bring me a spoon!”

THE MANTOU STUFFturns out to be amazing.Perfectly cooked pockets of pastry stuffed with ground beef, then covered in a red chickpea sauce, then drizzled with garlic yogurt.An ode to comfort food everywhere.

Aliah beams with happiness as the three of us demolish the platter.