Ursula overland paired with bangkok and singapore produced nothing. But hong kong coughed up the website of Gilbert Overland, Ltd.

High-end antiques shop in Ocean Terminal, Kowloon.

The island was sixteen hours ahead of L.A., making it just after eight a.m. I emailed.

Seconds later, I received a reply.

Gilbert Overland, Proprietor, responding with surprise but no dread.

The Los Angeles police? Ursula’s murder?

Yes.

Dreadful. Still reeling.

How’d you find out?

Her ex told me.

You’re her cousin?

Yes.

Were you in regular contact?

When she came to HK, she’d visit. Why are you emailing me?

We’re trying to locate any other relatives.

There are none, U and I are both singletons, the Overlands weren’t much for breeding. Why not simply ask Richard?

He wasn’t aware of any relatives besides you.

Well, that’s true.

No family in Canada?

None. Why?

Searching for information.

That doesn’t really answer the question Mr. Sturgis.

At this point, more questions than answers.

I see. Do you know about the divorce? Lots of animosity.

Ursula told you about it.

Often. Especially during her last visit.

How long ago was that?

A year. What do you think of him? Richard.

I turned to Milo.

He typed in

Interesting guy.

Urs made him sound quite dull.

I signed off and relinquished the computer.

Milo said, “Good try. At least we know not to bother looking for family. So maybe a Maple Leaf pal.”

He phoned Laura Smith and asked about friends in other cities. Sounding groggy, she said, “No way, everyone’s here.”

“Thanks again, Laura. You haven’t heard from them?”

“Uh-uh.” Yawn. Click.

I said, “If they’re scared enough they might turn to an adult, not a peer.”

“Friend of Mommy’s,” he said.

“The only one we know is Phyllis Tranh.”

“If she’s still a friend after dating Richard.”

“Don’t imagine that would change things,” I said.

“Why not?”

“First off, Richard and Phyllis didn’t last long. More important, Ursula would’ve been happy to have Richard occupied.”

Googling phyllis tranh produced the California business registration for Diamond Products and Sundries, Inc. The company was a sizable concern with additional locations in Las Vegas and New Jersey. Plus a “storage facility” in Vancouver.

“Makes sense,” I said. “It’s a trade outlet to the Far East.”

Milo punched in Albert Tranh’s home number in Beverly Hills.

Tranh said, “You’d need to talk to my daughter about that.”

“Please, sir, if you know anything about the girls’ whereabouts, it’s important to let me know.”

“Of course, Lieutenant.”

“You have a warehouse in Vancouver. Do you also keep a residence there?”

“I do not.”

“Does Phyllis?”

“My daughter’s an adult, I don’t snoop into her personal affairs.”

“Where can I reach her?”

“She’s traveling.”

“Where, Mr. Tranh?”

“I’ll have to check.”

“You don’t know?”