him.”
Curran cleared his throat. “Yeah, well, that was probably not the best choice of words.”
“Actually, I'd say you were right on target.” She nodded at the gurney. “That man caused a lot of heart ache. God knows how he survived as long as he did without someone doing what happened last night to him earlier.”
Kwon guided her back toward the office. “I've got some forms for you to sign, Ms. Fields.”
Curran tagged along. “You knew about his past?”
“Of course. How could I not know what he was up to. We grew up together, he and I. I always knew what kind of trouble he was involved with.”
“But you couldn't stop him.”
She stopped and turned. “Just who are you, exactly?”
“Forgive him,” said Kwon. “He's just a nosy cop with no tact.”
“A nosy cop,” said Curran, “Who's investigating the death of your brother.” He held out his hand. “Steve Curran.”
She took it and kept looking into his eyes. “I can't say it's a pleasure to meet you, detective.” Her eyes crinkled slightly. “Given the circumstances.”
“I guess not.”
“You can probably let go of my hand now, too.”
Curran stepped back. “Sorry.”
She turned to Kwon. “Those forms?”
“Over here.” Kwon gave Curran a frown and then led them into the office. While Lauren signed the various forms, Curran examined her as covertly as he knew how.
She obviously kept in shape judging by the trim outline concealed under the slacks and blouse she wore. The outfit itself was modest, neither revealing skin nor cleavage. But somehow, Curran found it appealing anyway.
She finished and straightened, flattening the wrinkles in her blouse with one hand as she tucked away a fountain pen with the other. “Is there anything else?”
“We'll let you know when the body can be taken by the funeral home for proper burial,” said Kwon.
“Thank you.”
“Ms. Fields?”
She turned to face Curran. “Yes?”
“I wonder if we could speak a few moments about your brother? It’d be a big help.”
“You're putting in an awful lot of time to my brother's case, Detective. Not something I'd expect for the likes of someone like him.”
“I'm putting in the sort of time my career demands. Professional,” said Curran. “Whether or not your brother was the kind of guy I'd recommend for sainthood isn't the point. A crime was committed and I aim to see it solved.”
“Admirable.”
Kwon frowned. “Don't let him fool you, Ms. Fields. Curran is probably the straightest-laced cop you'll ever find. If it's work, he gives one hundred and ten percent.”
“That must not leave much time for anything else,” said Lauren.
Curran shot Kwon a look. “I take my job seriously is all. I’m lucky to have a lot of time to devote to my job.”
“Not many people in today's world commit themselves so entirely.”
Curran shrugged. “Can I take that as a yes that you'll sit down and talk to me about your brother?”
“You aren't going to posthumously persecute him for some of the things he did while he was alive, are you?”
Curran smiled. “Last I checked, I don't think our courts work that way.”
“All right then.” She dug into her pocketbook and extracted a vanilla business card. “My number's on the back. Call me this evening. I've got some free time then.”
“I'll do that.”
She nodded at Kwon. “Nice meeting you. Please let me know about the body. A proper burial's important to me.”
“Will do,” said Kwon. He and Curran watched her go.
“Damn,” said Curran.
“Kind of an understatement, Steve. She’s a knockout,” said Kwon. “But hey, you got her number. That's gotta count for something.”
“No thanks to you trying to cut me down at every opportunity.”
“Didn't you once tell me nothing worth having ever comes easy? I know how much you groove on challenges. I was just trying to make you appreciate the gal.”
Curran smirked. “Of course you were. And really, I
“Always glad to help out,” said Kwon. “Now will you get out of here and let me work?”
“I’m going,” said Curran.
At the door Kwon stopped him. “Steve.”
“Yeah?”
“I want details. You got it?”
Curran smiled. “Sorry, I don’t kiss and tell.”
Kwon sniffed. “Steve, if you get any kind of play at all, you won’t have to say a word. It’ll be all over your face in big bold letters: FIRST TIME IN YEARS.”
Curran gave him a smile, then extended his middle finger and walked out.
Chapter Three
I don’t know why I agreed to this, thought Lauren as she entered the restaurant. She could already see the smile on Detective Curran’s face, but kept her own face neutral.
He stood as she got to the table. “You look great.”
Lauren narrowed her eyes. “That’s not usually the type of comment I hear about this outfit.” She ran her hands over the white blouse and gray herringbone skirt. “Most people think I look too much like a school teacher.”
Curran smiled. “I used to have crushes on all my teachers.”
Lauren ignored him, glancing around the room. “Interesting choice for our meeting — pastel pinks and yellows on the walls and stainless steel lighting.”
“This is gourmet Chinese. The owner used to collect art all over Asia so this is something of a gallery for his acquisitions.”
“Gourmet Chinese? What exactly does that mean?”
“Means you don’t have to skirt puddles of grimy water and urine down in Chinatown to get a decent meal. You do eat Chinese, right?”
“Sure.” She noticed him staring at her neck. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all. I was just wondering if that gold cross you’re wearing is something special.”
She fingered the cross, feeling the cool metal against her fingertips. “Special is measured in a lot of ways, Detective.”
“Steve.”
She eyed him again and he looked away. Lauren almost grinned. She knew her gaze could be unsettling when she wanted it to be.
Curran turned his attention to the menu. “The Mandarin beef is excellent here.”
“That sounds fine.”
He put the menu down. “Is something bothering you?”
Should she tell him? Her stomach felt queasy then. She noticed the smells of the restaurant and felt her
