Motherhood Is Murder

He smiled. ?I love your attitude, kid.?

A hostess with silky black hair done up in a bun seated us in a window booth. She wore a traditional dress in red and gold. She placed menus on our table with a dazzling smile and winked at Galigani. He pushed the menu aside, and she laughed.

?The usual?? she asked.

?You better believe it,? Galigani answered.

She nodded. ?I?ll give your friend a minute.?

I perused the menu and settled on peanut satay. Galigani nodded his approval.

Our iced teas arrived at the table. When the waitress left, Galigani said, ?Bring me up to speed.?

?Okay.? I reached for my diaper purse and attempted to pull out my notebook. Even though Laurie was home with Jim, I was still lugging the bag around. This morning, it seemed to make more sense than to swap to a traditional purse, but as I rummaged past diapers and wipes, the extra outfit, the nursing shawl, the sling, and the burp cloth, I wondered how the heck I?d come to that decision.

?There must be twenty pounds of gear in here,? I mumbled.

No wonder the few blocks? walk had been so taxing.

I finally located my notebook and pulled it out.

? Helene Chambers, deceased on November 5th. Bay dinner cruise. Cause of death, still undetermined, but apparent overdose. Parents deceased, no siblings, no children. Survived by Bruce Chambers (husband).

? Spoke with Evelyn. She states she witnessed an argument on the cruise between the deceased and Sara. States that the deceased was canceling a construction project. Sara denies this claim and Bruce (widower) said he knows nothing about the cancellation.

? Evelyn was ousted from mommy group because her kid bites. She is considering home birth with Celia (same midwife Margaret Lipe used).

? Attended Helene?s service?Homicide Inspectors McNearny and Jones were in attendance.

? Margaret Lipe?told me she suspected her own husband (Dr. Alan Lipe) of having an affair and said she thought he had mistakenly killed Helene instead of her. Neighbor, Miss No-Nonsense, Sara has confirmed Alan?s affair. So far haven?t been able to identify other woman.

? Celia Martin was hospitalized on November 15th after being at Bruce?s house. Doctors suspect overdose. She told me she consumed metallic-tasting beer. Awaiting lab results.

? Bruce Chambers?questioned by police for murder (Helene) and attempted murder (Celia). Attorney Gary Barramendi. Motive? Was planning adoption of Costa Rican infant, coordinated by Celia Martin.

After reading my notebook, Galigani took a long sip of iced tea and sat in silence for a moment. Finally, he stroked his mustache and asked, ?When are they going to release the tox results??

?I don?t know. Another week??

?The ME doesn?t normally do a tox screen.?

?How do you know??

?Kid, I?ve been doing this a long time. Believe me, the ME and I are buds, we golf together, we smoke cigars together, we drink brandy together. The ME?s job is to shut a case as quickly as possible. Tox screens take time and cost taxpayers? money. They normally don?t do ?em unless they?re pressed.?

The waitress arrived with our lunches. The smell of garlic wafted over to me from Galigani?s plate.

?Wow! Your shrimp looks delicious,? I said. ?I should have ordered that.?

Galigani scooped a portion of his serving on my plate. ?We?ll split it.?

I pushed half of my peanut satay onto his plate. ?I?m not sure I understand what you?re saying about the ME,? I said.

Galigani wrapped noodles around his fork. ?Someone pushed him for the tox screen. But why? I can ask him. And I can get a copy of the records. You want me to do that??

?Could you? That would be great. Gary Barramendi is going to share Bruce?s file with??

Galigani dropped his fork. ?Barramendi is sharing info with you??

I shrugged. ?I guess so. Bruce asked him to anyway.?

Galigani guffawed. ?Kid, if you get in with Barramendi, your career is set!?

?What do you mean??

Galigani looked at me as if I was from outer space. ?He?s the highest-profile criminal defense attorney on the West Coast. He?s always featured on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News. Didn?t you know that??

I shook my head.

Galigani laughed. ?Good God, Kate. Talk about beginner?s luck. I don?t know how you do it!?

?Now you?re making me nervous! Do what??

?I tried for years to work with Barramendi?s office. Of course, former cop and defense guys don?t normally make nice. So it?s no surprise that we never connected. But this guy, if he likes you, can give you regular PI cases, make you a media darling, completely fast-track your career. Just don?t mention my name.?