the door, hoping to keep her from closing it. I told her I wanted to buy a gift certificate for a massage, trying to get a peek past her. She said they don’t sell them and they only take cash, which I know, based on my client’s credit card bill, that wasn’t true. I saw the teenager walk past behind her, but the woman kicked my foot out of the door and slammed it.”
“Oh, my gosh!” Maggie exclaimed.
“I kept pounding, but she wouldn’t open the door again.”
“Emily, you shouldn’t have gone there alone,” Colin said. “I know you’re a private eye, but have you ever heard of backup?”
Emily stared at Colin for a second, then went on. “With regards to the dead woman from last night, what if she was one of the three girls in the back of that car?”
“You got a look at the body last night. Was she the one from the hotel?” Alex asked.
“No, but it could have been one of the other two. Or maybe there are more being kept at that house.”
“Sounds like you’re watching too many movies, Em,” Camille remarked.
“Actually, she could be onto something,” Peter said.
“Please don’t encourage her,” Colin pleaded.
“I know it all sounds unreal, like something out of a movie, but I know what we saw. You can ask Molly.” Emily glanced around the great room. “Camille, where’s Molly?”
“She left a bit ago, said she was going on a bike ride in the neighborhood,” Camille replied.
“Well, if Molly was here—”
“Did I hear someone call my name?” Molly bounded into the room.
“Yes,” Emily shot up from her seat on the sectional. “I was just telling them all about the three Asian girls we saw.”
“Funny you should say that,” Molly said, planting her hands on her hips. “Just a few minutes ago, as I was riding past their house, they were backing out of their driveway. There were only two girls in the backseat this time, the one from the hotel and another one.”
Emily’s gaze shot to Colin, who seemed to be able to read her mind. He stood and faced her.
“Now, Emily, take a breath. Just because last time you saw three girls in the backseat and this time there were only two doesn’t mean the girl in the river was the third one. That’s a huge leap.”
The whole room fell silent and all eyes were on the two of them.
“Isabel, tell her,” Colin pleaded. “Peter?”
“It’s certainly worth looking into,” Peter suggested.
“I agree,” Isabel concurred.
“Molly, did the driver or the older woman see you?” Emily asked.
“Maybe, but Emily, you really think they could have killed that girl? Why?” Molly asked, a tremor of fear lining her voice.
“Molly,” Emily put a calming hand on the girl’s shoulder. “My guess is that they are using these girls as prostitutes. Now, I could be wrong, but we need to know for sure what’s going on. We know the people in that house are connected with the Jade Thai Spa, where prostitution is going on. And if that girl—”
“Emily, that’s enough! Molly, I think this discussion is for the adults. Why don’t you go busy yourself somewhere else and let us finish our conversation?” Camille advised.
“Mom, I’m not a child. I’m seventeen years old and I want to stay. If those girls are in trouble, I want to help.”
“I think your mother’s right,” Jonathan added. “Find something else to do, please.”
Molly’s gaze moved from her dad, to her mom, then to Emily, as everyone held their tongue. Molly’s eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. She stomped out of the room and the sound of the front door slamming echoed throughout the house.
“Sorry, Camille, Jonathan. I think I overstepped. I wasn’t seeing Molly as a child.”
“We know she’s almost grown, but she doesn’t need to be part of this conversation, talking about murder and prostitution,” Jonathan barked.
“I think I’ll go clean up the kitchen,” Camille announced in a cool, even voice as she turned to leave.
“I’ll help.” Jonathan cast Emily a disapproving look as he joined his wife.
“Really, I am sorry,” Emily called after them.
“Well, I’m stayin’ put,” Maggie said from her perch on the arm of the sectional. “I want to hear what’s goin’ on.”
Emily brought her focus back to those remaining in the family room. “I was telling Isabel earlier today that we need a plan, some way to get inside that Jade Thai Spa and find out what’s really happening.” Emily gazed around the room, from face to face, to read their level