Page 64 of The Other Side of Apart

Which one? Zhang, Mei Li? Peggy Bromley? Mei Li Miller? Mei Li Mitchell? I clench my fists in my lap and settle on the name I’ve known about and had the longest. Hiding hasn’tgotten me anywhere but away from Marcus. “Zhang, Mei Li. And I have something to give you that I hope makes more sense to you than it does to me.”

Detective Chang leans forward in his chair. “Okay, you’ve got my attention.” He smiles, his eyes flicking from me to my bag as I pull out the box of tampons. He raises his eyebrow until I open the box, dig to the bottom, and haul out the diamond necklace, bracelet, and one earring.

Detective Chang sits straighter. “That’s a lot of diamonds…and an interesting place to keep them.”

“I hope you know what to do with them because they’ve brought me nothing but trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“The kind that ruins lives.”

“Where are you from? And who told you to come see me?”

Chaz didn’t give me a script, so I go with the truth. “Originally, I’m from here, but I’ve been in San Francisco since I was eight. And more recently, everywhere. Because of these diamonds.” I set them on the desk, and they glitter in the sun shining through the window. “My cousin told me to bring these to you. His name’s Zhang, Chen Wei but he goes by Chaz. And I don’t know if I can trust him.” I don’t know if I can trust Detective Chang, either, but I want to. I want to hand him all the fragments of truth that make up my life and let him put them back together because I’m done trying.

He stands and walks around his desk to open a filing cabinet drawer. He pulls out a plastic bag and holds it open for me to drop the jewelry in.

“Do you know Chaz?” I ask and press my lips together while I wait for his answer.

He stares at the bag of diamonds before sealing it and sets it on his desk. Then he moves his chair in front of mine, facing me.If he knows Chaz, he must know Nick. And if he knows Nick, he might know that my family was in America illegally and?—

I glance at the closed door and stand, but Detective Chang reaches out, resting his hand on my arm.

“My apologies,” he says. “I didn’t mean to startle you. You are perfectly safe here. Please.”

Hesitantly, I sit back down.

“Zhang, Mei Li. As in Zhang, Tai Sun’s daughter?” he asks.

I wonder if I should admit it or not since the answer is really no. I close my eyes so he can’t see the confusion but snap them open again because only Marcus can read my thoughts in my eyes. Detective Chang isn’t Marcus. I’m so, so far from Marcus.

Detective Chang is watching me, so I nod. “Yes, but he’s not my real father.”

“Okay. So, sounds like we have a lot to dissect and discuss.” He settles back into his chair and crosses his legs. Striped orange and white socks peek out from under his pant leg, a bright spot in this dark moment. “Why don’t we start with the diamonds. Where did you get them?”

“Are you familiar with a man named Nick Chao?” I swallow the thick disgust that rises when I speak his name.

“The Nick Chao also originally from Taiwan but currently in or around San Francisco?”

Or Indiana. I nod. “Do you know him?”

“I’m very aware of who he is. Also very aware that Tai Sun and his father were business associates among other things.”

I breathe through the words like they might strangle me. “If you know who he is and who his father is, then you must know what he does, and I’m hoping you can do something about it.”

“I’ve been working with the FBI to find Nick Chao and lock him up. But there hasn’t been enough evidence. He’s good at what he does, but we’re better, and we’ll find him.” Detective Chang nods.

“Evidence?” My voice shakes. “I was there. I saw everything he’s doing. I was the anonymous tip that pointed police in the right direction. Nick attacked me, but I got away. I was wearing these diamonds. And he’s been hunting me ever since.” My mouth is dry like my memory is running away from that moment. “What I don’t know, and what Chaz wouldn’t tell me, is why. He said there are influential people who wouldn’t like the diamonds getting into the wrong hands. I’m hoping your hands are the wrong ones.”

Detective Chang’s eyes are soft as he leans back in his chair, hands at the back of his head. “I’m sorry for what you’ve gone through, Mei Li. The good news is, you’ve done the right thing, and my hands are definitely the wrong ones for Mr. Chao. Honestly, it’s going to take a few days to process everything and get you answers. Do you have a place to stay in the meantime?”

“I was planning on going to my aunt’s house in Kending.”

“Until I know more, I’d like you to stay closer. It’s safer.”

Safer. I haven’t been safe in…ever. Especially not since I moved to America. Why start now?

Detective Chang studies my reluctance. “I’ll work as fast as I can, I assure you. But part of my job is to keep you safe, and the hotel across the street is great—you can lie low. Catch up on sleep while you wait to hear from me.”

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