A Crime of Passion in the Pool: Azalea Wang Mysteries, #2

By Lucy Ai

Alex, a popular lifeguard at a local YMCA, is attacked by a masked female swimmer one night. Azalea, a senior member of the Y, volunteers to help Detective Ma solve the crime. Three women whom Alex has had close relationships with, become suspects in the case. Violet, a nurse Alex is seeing, has an unpleasant exchange with Alex right before the incident. Yuki is a housewife who had an ambiguous relationship with him in the past, and Natalie, Alex's ex-girlfriend, still holds a grudge against him. All of them seem to have the motivation to commit the crime, but who did it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lucy Ai
• Release date: Jun 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223355816

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alex Ruiz, the lifeguard at the Y in Alhambra, California, suppressed a yawn as he stared blankly at the swimmers. Unlike the seniors who came during the day and had to be watched closely, nighttime swimmers were mostly young to middle aged, coming after work. They were more serious swimmers, too, and seldom stopped between laps to socialize. Except perhaps Violet, who never really swam, but was here to see him—or let him see her. Alex laughed inwardly as his eyes followed the woman in her black bikini, who was doing water yoga, as she called it, stretching in a leisurely fashion and posing alluringly as she moved along the lane closest to the lifeguard station.

At ten to nine, Alex, per usual, blew his whistle. The swimmers lingered briefly and left one by one. As always, Violet wouldn’t leave before begging for a date. She came to him, adjusting the top of her bikini so the cleavage between her small breasts would be more visible. Are you free tomorrow, butterfly?

Alex laughed. Friday is my band day, Vi.

Oh, you’re just trying my patience, you bad boy. It’s been three weeks, and I miss you, Violet said this with resentment in her tone, in the perfect English accent of an ABC—American-born Chinese.

Thanks to the half Chinese in him, that accent would turn Alex on from time to time. Thus, he switched to a lower, more seductive tone. I miss you, too, Vi, but the band comes first.

Saturday?

No. I need to do yardwork for my grandma. What about Sunday?

Sunday is church day, Violet said. You know that.

Alex shrugged. That’s too bad.

Okay, she said after a moment’s pause. Sunday it is.

Are you sure? Alex’s mind raced. He shouldn’t have suggested Sunday. He had promised it to Natalie.

Yes. Violet smiled. I’ll skip my family’s gathering after the service. I’ll see you at twelve.

Oh. Alex frowned. I’m not free after twelve. What about from nine to eleven?

But that’s the time of the Sunday service.

Alex shrugged nonchalantly, though he was chuckling on the inside. He loved seeing Violet in her desperate, horny state. He loved it so much more than the Violet in her business suit addressing an audience at fundraising events. Yes, he loved to strip women naked, not just of their clothes, but of their masks of chastity, of respectability, and of religious piety.

He was still laughing inside when Violet said, Well, then I’ll see you at nine!

Alex was mildly shocked. He had beaten God! The realization flattered him. He was about to say yes but hesitated. Natalie or Violet? Uh, actually, I’m not really sure. Let me think about it, he muttered.

Violet’s eyes flashed with anger. You jerk! Are you playing with me?

A few heads turned their way. The volume of her voice reminded him that she was a soprano in her church choir. 

He smiled at her. Calm down, Vi. No need to get angry.

You’re going to pay for this, Violet hissed before she stormed away, her face red with rage.

Women. Alex shook his head. So impatient to get what they want.

AFTER THE LAST SWIMMER had left, Alex quickly mopped the floor and organized the storage cabinets. At nine thirty, he said goodbye to Ronnie, who worked in the gym, and opened the backdoor for Eddy, the janitor who came in at ten. Then he went to the closet and dragged the vacuum out to clean the pool. As soon as he got close to the pool, however, he saw movement in the water. He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them and looked once more. It was Violet again, in her black bikini, a masquerade mask over her swim cap.

Alex shook his head. What’s she up to in that mask? She looks like a seductress. Her lips were painted red and glossy, her bikini top seemed more revealing that earlier. For a moment he doubted it was Violet, but then he saw the mole on her chin.

Vi, the pool’s closed! he called out.

Violet didn’t utter a word, but she pulled down her top and freed her breasts.

Alex’s mouth went dry. That was unexpected. Violet was a church girl, after all! He let go of the vacuum hose. Wow. What’re you doing?

She still kept quiet, then floated on her back and spread her legs.

Alex scrambled to take off his shirt, then jumped into the pool. You really want it, don’t you? But we have to be quick.

She wasted no time, pushing him against the wall of the pool and rubbing his erection with her hand.

Ah! Alex closed his eyes. He had fantasized about such a scene a million times during the ten years of his lifeguarding career, had hinted to his women, but no one took him seriously. Now, his fantasies were becoming reality. And from Violet, of all people. Who could have guessed it? The older a woman, the more desperate. Once again, he’d proved it.

In the midst of his joy, he saw her reach for her tote bag on the deck. I don’t need a condom, he whispered.

Her lips curled as her other hand withdrew quickly and disappeared into the water. Then she bent down, immersing herself under the water in front of him.

Anticipating what she was going to do, he felt dizzy with excitement and closed his eyes again. Wasn’t today his lucky day? He didn’t even worry about the janitor anymore. It would be Eddy’s lucky day, too, if he showed up now.

Don’t bite too hard, babe! He chuckled loudly.

Then his laughter turned into a painful howl. At the same moment, Violet surfaced, pulled herself out of the pool, and ran out through the back door.

Chapter 2

In Azalea’s opinion, June was the best month in LA—the temperature was warm but not sweltering and the sun was cheerful and not scorching. As the Senior Ride slowly plodded along Main Street, Alhambra, she marveled at the scenery through the window. Jacaranda, her favorite trees were in full bloom, adding a dreamlike touch to the ordinary urban streets. Ha-ca-ran-da, she silently repeated the Spanish pronunciation Javier had taught her the other day, when he planted one in the community garden, right in front of her bedroom window.

Before Azalea entered the Y, she saw her friend Ruby sitting on the bench with her pink rolling bag.

Did you just get here? Azalea asked.

No, I’m leaving. The pool is closed.

Again? Azalea was disappointed but not surprised. What is it this time? The filter? Or the water heater?

Neither. Ruby shook her head. Alex isn’t here.

What? That’s it? Azalea frowned. Alex had a habit of not showing up to work once in a while, but then part-time kids would take his place.

Ruby spoke solemnly. Alex was hurt. He’s in the hospital.

Oh, my God. What happened?

You won’t believe it. Ruby’s eyes sparkled as they widened. She leaned forward and lowered her voice, even though no one was nearby. Someone, certainly a woman, cut off his turtle head last night, right in the pool!

Azalea covered her mouth with a hand and gasped. Decades ago at Red Star Farm in China, where Azalea had been reeducated, she’d heard of a jealous wife doing the same. But here in the US? And the victim was Alex, a sweet young man who never failed to praise a