Cause of Death (Det. Annie Avants Book 1) by Renee Benzaim Read Free Book Online Page B

know nothing has changed.  It just seems to make my relationship with them worse."
    "Well, if I visit Chianna it will be because I want to get in touch with my roots again, not leave them behind."
    "Then I think you should go, Jesse.  It can't hurt if you are going with the right frame of mind."
    "You're right.  I think I'll drive up there in the morning and come back Sunday night.  Maybe we can talk then."
    "Bon voyage , Jesse, and give your sister a hug for me.  I'd like to meet her one day."

* * *
    Jesse left the next morning at 3:00 AM, hoping to beat the Bay Area traffic en route to Calistoga, where his sister, Chianna, and her husband Dion Gueye lived.  He loved the area and even considered moving there at one point, but he didn't want to live that close to his parents, who lived in San Francisco.  Therefore, he ended up in California's Central Valley instead.
    Chianna made a name for herself with her gallery where she showcased Native American arts and crafts from all around the country.  She also featured handcrafted pottery and the baskets that their mother produced in San Francisco for her own gallery.  Their dad was an attorney for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    Her husband, Dion, whom she met when they were both students at the University of California Davis, had a PhD in Viticulture and Enology, and worked for one of the many vineyard/wineries famous in the area.
    Jesse called Chianna the night before to alert her of his arrival, and headed straight for her gallery when he pulled into town in his red Mustang.  He knew she went into the gallery bright and early, so there was no point going to their lovely home until later in the day.
    "Hey, Sis," he hollered, as he entered the gallery.  He looked around at all the objects on display.  It always made him homesick for his grandmother's home in North Carolina.
    "Ahh, finally," Chianna said as she rushed forward to give her big brother a hug and kiss.  "It's so good to see you, Jesse.  It's been too long.  Are you still dancing the grass dance at your local pow wows?  I wish you would come here when there are pow wows nearby so I could show you off to all my unmarried girlfriends," she laughed as he cringed.
    "That's probably the reason I don't dance here, Chianna.  You're always trying to match-make me to someone."
    "Well, someone has to do something.  You sure didn't pick well when you married SueEllen, now did you?"
    "Point taken.  We weren't a match made in heaven, that's for sure.  At least we were both intelligent enough to realize it and part ways before we became enemies.  She's doing quite well in the District Attorney's Office in San Diego County now.  I hear from her from time to time."
    "Oh, the follies of youth," Chianna said with a laugh.  "So, what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?" she said, as she led him into the back room to a small kitchen area where the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room.
    "Actually, to be honest, coming here wasn't only my idea," Jesse said.  "I've been bombing out with a woman I work with, a Homicide Detective, and she said I'd lost touch with my roots.  When I thought about it, I realized she's right.  She said maybe I needed to visit my family to center myself and find the 'real me' - her words, not mine - so, I decided to come here.  You always keep me on track and make me remember the values our family instilled in us."
    "Uh oh," Chianna said.   "I think I screwed up.  When you called that you were coming, I invited a good friend of mine, Rebecca Grady, over to join us for dinner.  She's from the California Band of Miwok Indians in Calaveras County.  She's an attorney and is working to get recognition for their tribe.  It's been slow going.  There aren't many Miwok left in the Sierra Tribe of which she's a member."
    She stopped and sipped her coffee, avoiding Jesse's exasperated look.
    "I thought maybe you could give her some pointers.  Well, I hope