Never Tell

Chapter Forty

Chung Mei Ri was not happy to see them.

Even when Gundley’s people had stormed into Promises with Casey to search his room, Ms. Ri had been exceedingly polite to Rogan and Ellie, despite her displeasure. She offered them coffee and joked that they worked even longer days than she did. She also told them they were wrong about Casey. She insisted that this was all a misunderstanding and that they would see they were mistaken. But she maintained the same calm voice and warm smile throughout the encounter.

Today, though, something had changed at the Promises Center for Young Adults. Same welcoming glass atrium. Same girl with the pink mohawk stationed out front. Same Ms. Ri charging into the lobby with her no-frills suit and black stockings. But this time there was no warm smile. And the calm voice had been replaced by a low hiss.

“I tried to tell you. I tell you that Casey is innocent. I tell you I know he could not hurt a flea.” What had been a faint accent grew stronger as she seethed. “I also tell you about Brandon Sykes and Vonda Smith. I do not like to say bad things about the people we are helping here. It goes against everything we stand for. But I did it. I told you about them so you would know not to trust them.”

“We’re still looking at the case, Ms. Ri. The DA’s office has a few days before convening a grand jury. That’s why we’re here to talk to Brandon. We’re still gathering information.”

“Thanks to you, there is no Brandon. There is no Vonda or Brandon or Casey.”

“I’m not sure what you mean, Ms. Ri.”

“What were you thinking, giving them that kind of money?”

“We didn’t give them anything. Julia Whitmire’s parents—”

She waved an irritated hand at them. “You, the parents. You work together. What were you thinking? I turned her away last night because she causes so many problems. Then today he comes back and takes all of his things.”

Ellie was having a hard time following her from one sentence to the next. “Brandon left because Vonda couldn’t stay here?”

“I don’t know if that was his reason or not. But ten thousand dollars to two drug-addicted children? He says he doesn’t need to be here anymore.”

“Who said that? You mean Brandon?”

“Yes. Brandon. They got their reward money. They’re gone, Detectives. He said they were going west. Until they shoot up all of that money or die, they’re gone. I hope you’re happy with yourselves.”