Lupi 09 - Mortal Ties

exactly what’s wrong, but I know this is a Unit matter. I need
     to talk to Uncle Chen. Will you bring him here?”
    His mouth tightened. He cast his wife one long look, then nodded and turned, pushing
     his way through the crowd gathering at the hall’s entrance. It wasn’t just relatives
     now—several customers had decided they needed to see what was going on.
    “Everyone else—you will go back to your tables. Now.” She whipped the last word out.
     A few people did back away. None of her family budged. “Mark, keep this hallway clear.
     Anyone who doesn’t go sit down—” Quickly she amended what she’d been about to say.
     “Anyone other than Grandmother who doesn’t go sit down will be taken politely but
     firmly to their table.”
    “Don’t be absurd.” That was Paul, her brother-in-law. “You can’t intend for him to
     lay hands on any of us.”
    “This is a crime scene. I mean exactly what I said. I need you to go get Susan.” Lily’s
     older sister was a dermatologist, so this was way outside her field, but she could
     at least make sure their mother didn’t go into shock or something.
    Being given an assignment tempered Paul’s indignation. He frowned to let her know
     he did not appreciate her attitude, but he left to get Susan.
    “Cullen’s on his way,” Rule said.
    Thank God. Though it would take him awhile to get here. He was at Nokolai Clanhome,
     which was forty-five minutes outside San Diego. “Grandmother, can you take Moth—Julia—into
     the ladies’ room so she can sit down?” There were a couple chairs in there.
    “Who are all these people?’ Julia said plaintively. “I thought I was here with my
     family, but I don’t see them. Is my mother here? You need to call her. Mrs. Franklin
     Lin. She’ll be worried. You’d better call her right away.”
    Lily met Grandmother’s eyes. Her mother’s mother haddied forty-five years ago…two months after Julia’s twelfth birthday.
    Grandmother stepped forward. “You will allow me to worry about that. I am Madame Yu.
     I am not your grandmother, but you may call me that, if you wish. Come.” She slid
     an arm around Julia’s waist, gently but inexorably detaching her from Rule. She was
     a full head shorter than the younger woman. “You will sit down now. Someone will bring
     you a glass of water.”
    “Can I have a Coke?” Julia asked as she was steered into the ladies room.
    “A glass of Coca-Cola, then. We will not worry about caffeine tonight.”
    The ladies’ room door closed behind them.