Gardner’s expression brightened. “That’s interesting.”
Morales propped a boot on the lower rope of the ring. “A few separate sources fingered Krystal LeMay as Valentine’s girlfriend. She’s also reported to be the new head of the Votary coven.”
“Two nights ago,” I added, “Shadi and I witnessed a woman who works for Krystal handing a payoff to a suspected Fangshi operative.”
“What’s the motive for offing Valentine?” Gardner said.
“Mez?” I said.
The wizard came forward. He wore a lab coat over his embroidered vest and slacks. The gentleman-wizard look was rounded out by the pair of goggles perched on his dreadlocks. “We believe that the Chinese supplied the potion and Valentine was supposed to distribute it. But he got greedy and cut the potion with yohimbe, which doubled his supply and, thus, his take, but also made the batch extremely unstable and dangerous.”
“That’s where the Kostorov case comes in,” I said. “We talked to the widow, who pointed us to an apothecary that was distributing the potion for Valentine. According to them, two days after Valentine died, Krystal showed up with some Chinese people and warned him to stop selling the bad potion.”
“Fangshi Chinese?” she asked.
Morales said, “We believe so, yes.”
“Anyone you know?” she said.
My stomach tightened in sympathy.
“No, sir.” He kept his expression schooled and refused to look my direction. “Dixon tracked down a connection to a suspected Fangshi hitman named Alexander Hung, who works out of Seattle and California. We believe that, in addition to being in contact with Krystal, he might also have met with Charm Parsons prior to his death.”
Gravity suddenly doubled. He made no mention of Yü Nü, who he knew very well. I knew he wanted to keep his past from catching up with him, but I didn’t expect him to lie to Gardner’s face.
Gardner jumped on the mention of Charm. “Explain the Charm connection.”
“We met with Puck Simmons. He said that before Charm died, word came down from Abe that he wanted corner boys to start running Fangshi product. He said that he witnessed Charm meeting with a man who matched Hung’s description as much as six weeks ago.”
“You got anyone watching Hung now?” she looked around the room.
“Not yet, sir,” Morales said. “That was our next step.”
“Why don’t you give a rundown on the Fangshi for the team?” she said.
He cleared his throat and appeared to be gathering his thoughts. I leaned back against the ropes and prayed he didn’t dig us into a hole we’d not be able to climb out of.
“First thing to know is that the Fangshi aren’t like the covens here.”
“How so?” She folded her arms across her chest, putting her faith in his knowledge and experience.
“The covens here are basically street gangs, but the Fangshi are more organized. Almost corporate.” He rose and went to the board where we’d pasted pictures of the suspects in the case. “My guess is Alexander Hung is probably like a middle manager. Someone else is pulling the strings from L.A. It’s probably someone high up in one of the Tongs.”
Shadi piped up. “What the fuck is a Tong?”
“Benevolent societies,” he said. “Many are legit and offer protection and support for Chinese communities. But some are associated with the Fangshi. Those Tongs are wrapped up in murder for hire, prostitution, potion trafficking, gambling, you name it. Many infiltrate legit businesses to give them deep cover and money-laundering capabilities.”
“Like dry cleaners?” Dixon asked.
“Yeah,” Morales said, “a lot of the business owners who belong to the Tongs are law-abiding, but they don’t have a choice in helping the Fangshi if they want the Tongs’ protection.
“So, what the hell are they doing in Babylon?” Shadi asked. “There ain’t many Chinese here.”
Morales shrugged. “Potions are the most lucrative part of the Fangshi’s interests, and if there’s one thing Babylon has plenty of, it’s hexheads.”
Gardner walked up to the board. “All right, Shadi, your team is on Hung. I want to know where he’s staying and who he’s meeting.” She turned to look at Morales and me. “You two I want on the girlfriend. Even if she didn’t pull the trigger, if she’s running the Votaries now, she’s our main target. Bring her in. Today if possible.”
Morales started to argue, but I interrupted him. “We’re on it, sir.”
That earned me a glare from my partner. We’d be having a conversation once we left the gym, but I didn’t care. The truth was, we did need to bring in Krystal. If she was the head of the Votaries, she was a prime catch, and her testimony might also bring us the Fangshi—especially if she was paying them off because they had something on her. Shadi and her team weren’t going to find out about Morales’s past by checking in on Alexander Hung, anyway.
Gardner turned toward Shadi to ask something, but a loud slam sounded from the door downstairs. It was quickly followed by sound of feet stomping up the risers. We all turned to see the new arrival. A few moments later, a pile of blond hair emerged over the top step followed by about two hundred and fifty pounds of curves encased in spandex and patent leather. She didn’t walk so much as undulate, like she was screwing the air.
“Hey, y’all,” she called as she stopped and stared at us expectantly, “is this the MEA office?” Sweet tea dripped from her words.
“Who’s asking?” Gardner said.
The woman placed her hot-pink manicure against her bosom. “I’m Fontina Douglas, darlin’—who the hell are you?”
Morales and I exchanged a look as we both realized she was Aphrodite’s cousin from Atlanta. The Hierophant had obviously been telling the truth about her cousin taking over the coven. The question was what was she doing at our office?
“I’m looking for Morales and Prospero,” she said when no one answered her initial question.
“That’s us,” Morales said with about as much enthusiasm as a man facing an executioner.
“Lawd,” she exclaimed, “my cousin didn’t tell me what a tall drink of water you are, Mr. Morales.” She batted her eyes at him. She clearly used one of those new potions that made a woman’s lashes resemble tarantula legs.
“Special Agent,” he corrected.
“Whatever you say, doll,” she said. “I’m here to make a delivery.”
“This should be good,” Gardner said under her breath.
We climbed out of the ring to approach Fontina. She waved an envelope in the air. The heavy cardstock had a pearlescent finish, and spring-green ribbons trailed from the edge.
“It’s an invite to Aphrodite’s wedding,” Fontina said. “I have one for every member of the team, but Aphrodite said I should personally hand this one to both of you. They also told me to say that they would take it as a personal insult if you decline.”
Considering that the last time we’d seen Aphrodite, they’d kicked us out of their temple, this was quite a surprise. However, any reaction on our part would be reported right back to the Hierophant, so I downplayed my shock. “Thanks,” I said. “It’s an honor to have them hand-delivered by a Hierophant of the Atlanta O coven.”
“Well, I’ll be the Hierophant of the Babylon O's soon enough.”
“Oh?” Morales said. “Aphrodite made it sound like they would still be active in the running of the coven once the wedding was done.”
“Sure, that’s what I mean.” She smiled big, showing lots of pearly whites. “Anyway, I don’t want to interrupt your important work.” She glanced toward the boxing ring and the board we had on display. Gardner deliberately turned the panel so the case information was facing the other direction.
Fontina tittered. “Y’all have a nice day, now, y’hear?”
With that, she turned on her skyscraper heels and sashayed to the stairs. We all listened as she clip-clopped her way down the steps. Once the door downstairs opened and closed, I let out an audible breath.
“She’s a peach,” I said.
“I almost wish Aphrodite was staying in charge,” Morales said.