Taken from the Sea (Cook's Cove Women's Fiction Mystery Novels Book 4) by Judy Leslie

Author:Judy Leslie [Leslie, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Judy Leslie
Published: 2024-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Ben

Ben circles the name and taps his pen. What does anyone know about this guy, Eric Lau? What reason did Colleen have to worry about him? Who were his friends?

Mr. Eric Lau’s been working for Monroe Shipping for a little over a year. The man studied business at the University of Washington, but after graduating with an MBA, he went back to China. So, why did he return to Seattle years later to work for Monroe Shipping?

Despite hitting dead ends while searching, Ben refuses to give up. He focuses on locating Eric’s college classmates. After tracking down several, they mention barely knowing him, and they have no idea what happened to Eric after leaving the University. However, when he is about to give up, one man tells Ben he has something interesting to share but prefers to talk in person. So, Ben drives to Seattle to find out what the man has to say.

Ben parks his car in front of the old craftsman’s house on Beacon Hill. The house is yellow with white trim. Two ceramic dragon heads with their mouths open sit on the side of brick posts at the top of the stairs leading to the front door. It’s the part of town where many Asian people own houses. It has been gentrified over the years but retains its cultural flavor with an assortment of restaurants and businesses nearby.

Ben knocks on the door. A man answers.

“Sam? I spoke to you on the phone. I’m Ben Stone.” Ben removes his hat.

“Yes, Ben. Please come in.” The man opens the door wider for Ben to enter. Sam is a slim man in his thirties, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and tan slacks. His short black hair is tipped with red.

Glancing around, Ben notes Sam’s place is decorated in bright colors—a red lacquered coffee table and an imported black Chinese chest embellished with traditional designs. Sky blue pillows big enough to sit on were piled in the corner.

“Please, have a seat.” Sam extends his hand.

“Thank you for inviting me.” Ben walks over to a yellow chair opposite a bright purple couch. He sits down, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “You mentioned on the phone that you might have some information regarding Eric.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Sam nods, sliding onto the purple couch across from Ben. He clasps his hands together, seeming nervous. “But first, I wanted to ask - what do you know so far about Eric’s disappearance?”

Ben rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Not much, unfortunately. I’ve been told that Eric requested personal time off to visit his sick mother in China.”

Sam chews his lip. “I see. Well, that’s interesting. I doubt he went back to China.”

“So, where do you think he went?”

He leans forward. “As you know, I met Eric during college. We both attended the University of Washington together. But I’m more familiar with his boyfriend, Lee Jun.”

“Boyfriend? I thought Eric was dating Colleen.”

“No, Eric is gay. Well, maybe bi. I don’t know. But Lee Jun has been his boyfriend for the last year until they broke up a month ago.

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