Faithful readers are well aware of my strained relationship with my dear mother-in-law. I’ve used this description a handful of times before, but I can’t think of another one that so perfectly captures our co-existence. Ms. Hu is the founding member of the “I Hate Poe Club.”
I walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed another beer. I didn’t usually drink that many beers, especially in the early afternoon, but one must have some level of liquid courage to deal with all three Hu women at once.
“Hello ladies,” I said.
Alana and Hani looked up. Ms. Hu did not.
“Hey, Poe,” Hani said.
“Maybe you can settle a debate for us,” Alana said.
“What debate?” I asked.
“We’re trying to work out the seating chart for the wedding reception,” Alana said.
“I thought you did that weeks ago,” I said.
“We did, but Mom thinks we should make some changes,” Hani said, and she hit the word “Mom” a bit harder than the others.
“It’s your wedding, Hani. If you’re okay with making some fatal mistakes, that’s fine by me,” Ms. Hu said.
Fatal? What in the world did that mean?
“Well that’s a morbid way to put it, Mom,” Alana said, apparently reading my thoughts.
“I just don’t think you want to put those two couples at the same table. You’re asking for trouble,” Ms. Hu said.
“Those were just rumors,” Hani said.
“Sometimes the truth doesn’t matter. If Natasha thinks it happened, then it may as well have happened,” Ms. Hu said.
“What happened?” I asked, even though I knew I should have kept my mouth shut and made up some excuse to go upstairs and lock the bedroom door.
“Natasha’s husband allegedly stepped out on her. Hani wants to put them at the same table with the woman he had the affair with,” Alana said.
“It sounds bad when you put it like that,” Hani said.
“How else am I supposed to put it? That’s what you’re doing,” Alana said.
“There’s nowhere else to seat them,” Hani said.
“There are several places you could move them. I think you want to see fireworks, that’s all,” Ms. Hu said.
“That’s absurd. Why would I want to encourage some fight at my wedding reception? Everyone should be focused on me,” Hani said.
Her alone but not her and Yuto? I asked myself.
“It’s bad enough they’ll all be in the same room. You’re going to push them over the edge if they’re at the same table. But I’ll repeat what I said before. It’s your wedding. You do what you want,” Ms. Hu said.
“Fine then. It’s settled. I’m not moving them,” Hani said.
Alana shook her head and then turned to me.
“How was your meeting with Mele Akamu?”
“You met with Mele Akamu?” Ms. Hu asked, suddenly interested in what I had to say.
“I did. It went fine,” I said.
“Why did she want to meet with you? That makes no sense,” Ms. Hu said.
“Why doesn’t it make sense?” I asked.
“Never mind,” Ms. Hu said, and she dismissively waved her hand at me as if she were swatting away a pesky insect.
I thought Alana might come to my defense and question why her mother had just been rude to me again for no apparent reason, but she didn’t. I guess we all have to pick and choose our battles.
“What did she want?” Alana asked.
“A body was found near the Jaws surf break. She’s worried it will be tied to her,” I said.
“This is the one that was buried for some time?” Alana asked.
“I believe she said it’s been there for around five years,” I said.
“Who was it?” Hani asked.
“A man named Eric Ellis. He worked for Mele Akamu,” I said.
“She wants you to find out who killed him?” Hani asked.
“Exactly.”
“Or she wants you to come up with some other possible candidates for when the police show up to arrest her,” Alana said.
“Why would they arrest Mele?” Ms. Hu asked.
“Why do you think, Mom?” Alana asked.
“Well I’m sure I don’t know. That’s why I asked,” Ms. Hu said.
“Come on, Mom. Don’t play dumb,” Hani said.
“Watch how you talk to me, young lady. And I’m not playing dumb. Mele Akamu is an upstanding member of our community. The Akamu family has done more for this island than anyone,” Ms. Hu said.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” I asked.
“You mainlanders are all alike. You come to Maui and you have no knowledge of our heritage or anything else for that matter,” Ms. Hu said.
“Mom, don’t be like that,” Alana said.
“Why not? It’s the truth,” Ms. Hu said.
“Don’t worry, Ms. Hu. I’m not offended. And you’re right. I don’t know nearly as much about the island as I want to. I’m also interested in why you think Mele Akamu is such a good person,” I said.
“The Akamu family has donated millions to different charities, from the hospital to the arts community to the environment,” Ms. Hu said.
I turned to Alana.
“Is that true?” I asked.
“I said it. Why wouldn’t it be true?” Ms. Hu shot back.
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t telling the truth,” I said.
“That’s kind of what you just did,” Hani said.
“I know and I’m sorry,” I said.
“To answer your question, Poe, yes, the Akamu family has donated a lot of money over the years. That’s probably the main reason Tavii got elected Mayor,” Alana said.
“I thought you also told me that everyone knew their family business wasn’t exactly on the up and up,” I said.
“That’s true, but no one has ever been able to prove anything,” Alana said.
“People talk about the poor woman like she’s a cold-blooded murderer. Mele Akamu is a philanthropist,” Ms. Hu said.
I was tempted to laugh, but I managed to restrain myself.
Nevertheless, Ms. Hu must have read the look on my face for she asked, “You think that’s funny?”
“I happen to like the dear old woman,” I said.
“Old? She’s not that much older than I am,” Ms. Hu said.
“You walked right into that one, Poe,” Alana said.
“I apologize again, Ms. Hu. Perhaps I should go outside to the pool before the hole I’m digging gets any deeper,” I said.
“Yes, maybe you should go,” Ms. Hu said.
“Before you leave, what did you tell Mele Akamu?” Alana asked.
“I told her I’d give her an answer by tomorrow,” I said.
“I think you should take the case. If the police are out to get her, then you owe it to this island to make sure one of its finest citizens isn’t unjustly arrested,” Ms. Hu said.
“First of all, Mom, the police aren’t out to get anyone. If you get arrested, then it’s because we had good reason,” Alana said.
“And second?” Hani asked, apparently enjoying her sister and mother going at it.
“I don’t deny that Mele Akamu has done some good for Maui,” Alana said.
“Some?” Ms. Hu asked.
“Okay, a lot. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t also broken the law at some point,” Alana said.
“Everyone breaks the law at some point, Alana. Even you,” Ms. Hu said.
“I’m not talking about speeding and jaywalking. I’m talking about more serious crimes,” Alana said.
“There’s nothing you can prove, which means she’s innocent. We do have a system in this country that says you’re innocent until proven guilty,” Ms. Hu said.
“Why are you defending her like she was your own mother?” Alana asked.
“I consider Mele a friend. I don’t like my friends being criticized,” Ms. Hu said.
“Regardless of what Mrs. Ak
amu is or isn’t, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this investigation,” I said.
“I agree with Mom. I think you should take the case, although not for the same reasons she does,” Alana said.
“What reasons are those?” Hani asked, taking the question right out of my mouth.
“I doubt Mele Akamu had anything to do with that dead body. She wouldn’t have wanted to hire you if she did, especially since she has first-hand knowledge of your abilities. If you do take the case, though, I have one piece of advice for you,” Alana said.
“Which is?” I asked.
“Question everything that she tells you. She’ll almost certainly hold back vital information, even if it would help her case,” Alana said.
I could have commented on Eric Ellis’ blackmail scheme, but I decided to wait until Hani and Ms. Hu left.
“When you see her again, please tell her I said hello,” Ms. Hu said.
“I will. I don’t know why I’m so surprised that you two are friends,” I asked.
“We both grew up on Maui, didn’t we?” Ms. Hu asked.
“Yes. How could I forget?” I turned to Hani. “Good luck on the seating chart. Just do me one favor and keep Alana and me as far from those quarreling couples as possible.”
“Oh, I have you two at the same table,” Hani said, and she smiled. “Just kidding. You guys are near me.”
“Good. Otherwise I was going to come up with some excuse to miss the reception,” I said.
“Alana can’t miss it. She’s the maid of honor,” Ms. Hu said.
“I was joking, and I did notice that you said Alana couldn’t miss the reception, not me. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you simply misspoke,” I said.
“I didn’t,” Ms. Hu said.
“Mom, don’t be rude,” Alana repeated an earlier plea.
Ms. Hu said nothing.
“I’ll see you ladies later,” I said.
“Thanks, Poe. And good luck with your new case,” Hani said.
Had I decided to take the case, though? Foxx wanted me to. The Hu women all did. Apparently, I was going to work for Mele Akamu.
I looked around the room for Maui.
“Maui, come here boy. Let’s go outside,” I yelled.
The dog stuck his nose out from under the sofa.
“Come on, Maui. Let’s go,” I said.
He crawled out and darted toward the back door. Ava was hot on his heels.
5
The Mayor
I expected Hani and her mother to leave after an hour or so. I was wrong. They were at the house for another five hours. The first one or two of those dealt with wedding matters, but then Alana suggested that they stay for dinner. She informed everyone that I would be thrilled to grill steaks and vegetables. Then she turned to me and confirmed that they’d graciously accepted her offer, even though I was in the room to hear it for myself.
The dinner conversation renewed the debate about Mele Akamu. Ms. Hu continued to defend her, while Alana continued to point out that the woman was almost certainly involved in some crimes. There was one topic that evening that was noticeably absent, at least I noticed it, and it concerned me. I never once heard Hani mention Yuto’s name.
I joked more than once during the runup to my wedding that I was simply a prop for the ceremony since I thought it was all about Alana. I don’t mean to imply that Alana was any kind of bridezilla. She wasn’t. But there’s a reason they play the song “Here Comes the Bride” and not “Here Comes the Groom.”
I’d had numerous discussions with Alana in the past over whether or not Hani truly loved Yuto. We both knew she liked him, and we both had this theory that Hani thought Yuto was the type of man she should marry. Still, I’d never heard her mention Yuto in any of the wedding planning, and I’d been around Hani a lot since she was using a venue I owned on the other side of the island for the wedding and reception.
I thought back to my own wedding again. I didn’t go around telling everyone how excited I was to be spending my life with Alana. Of course, I felt that way. I just kept it inside of me. I’m just not the type of guy who publicly proclaims love all the time. Maybe Hani liked to keep her feelings to herself, I thought. Then I realized how stupid that was to believe. Hani never hesitated to tell someone what she thought.
The next morning, I did my customary swim in the backyard pool and a jog around the neighborhood. As I was doing my cool down, I sent Mara a text and told her that I’d take Mrs. Akamu’s case. I asked Mara if she would also request that Mrs. Akamu arrange a time for me to speak in person with her grandson, Tavii. I suggested Harry’s as a meeting location. I didn’t think Tavii would want to see me again, especially considering how our previous interactions had gone. But I also knew his grandmother had considerable sway over him.
Without giving away too many details of my past investigation, Tavii had broken the law and I had proof of it. Nevertheless, the District Attorney had decided not to press charges. It was my understanding that they came to a gentlemen’s agreement with Tavii. They would avoid the scandal of publicly charging the mayor with a crime and in return Tavii would agree not to run for reelection.
Imagine my surprise when I got a text back from Mara within the hour. She said that Tavii had agreed to my meeting and that he would see me at Harry’s at three o’clock in the afternoon. Apparently, Mele Akamu was anxious to get the investigation rolling.
After showering, I came downstairs and saw Alana sitting outside by the pool. Maui was asleep under her chair.
“Any wedding activities today?” I asked as I walked out of the house.
“We’re supposed to pick up our dresses today.”
“Cutting it kind of close, aren’t you?”
“A bit. Strange since Hani had some things planned out well in advance. I don’t know why she dragged her feet on the dresses.”
I sat on a chair beside Alana.
“How’s Hani doing? Is she nervous?”
“She doesn’t seem to be. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Foxx is invited to the party after all.”
“I forgot to tell you the same thing,” I said.
“Hani told you last night?”
“No. Foxx told me yesterday afternoon when I saw him at Harry’s. He said Yuto called him earlier in the day and invited him.”
“I guess your talk with Yuto worked then.”
“Actually, I forgot to call him. My guess is that Hani mentioned her argument to Yuto and Yuto sided with you.”
“Maybe, but Hani made a point to tell me that she changed her mind on her own. She said Yuto had nothing to do with it.”
“The fact that she pointed that out means he had everything to do with it.”
“Absolutely, but I didn’t tell her that. There was no point in arguing anymore.”
I was tempted to ask Alana if she’d noticed the lack of talk about Yuto the previous night, but I decided not to. I didn’t want to create more drama when it might have simply been me overanalyzing the situation, as I am often prone to do.
“Hey, when do you officially start the new case?” Alana asked.
“This afternoon. I’m meeting with Tavii at the bar.”
“Interesting.”
“Have you heard anything from the department on the discovery of this body?” I asked.
“I heard about it the day they found Eric Ellis’ remains, but I knew I wasn’t going to pick up the case since I was about to leave for vacation.”
“Do you know who got it?”
“I think it went to Josh.”
“Josh? Who is he again?”
“He replaced Makamae.”
“That’s right.”
Detective Makamae Kalani had recently moved back to Oahu to return to that island’s police department. She’d come to Maui thinking she was going to eventually run the department. Her abrasive style quickly made enemies, my wife being one of them.
I’d worked a handful of successful cases with Detective
Kalani, and her departure had come as a surprise to me, especially since she’d never told me, nor had she even sent a text message saying “so long” or something like that.
I couldn’t picture Josh Parrish, the beat cop who’d worked his way up to detective, but Alana said he was a decent and hardworking guy. Apparently, I’d met him and his wife at one of the police department’s holiday parties.
“Are you asking because you want to talk to Josh about the case?” Alana asked.
“No, I was more curious than anything else.”
“Well, depending on how deep you get into this, I’m sure you two will cross paths. I’m certain you’ll like him.”
“That’s good to hear.”
We spent the next hour sitting by the pool and taking in the sun. Then we eventually made our way back into the house for lunch. Before I knew it, my meeting with Tavii was fast approaching. I hopped into the BMW and made the short drive to Harry’s. I’d sent Foxx a text earlier to let him know about Tavii and also to invite him to partake in the interview. Foxx had quickly agreed.
As I entered the bar, I spotted Foxx sitting in one of the back-corner booths. He was writing something in a small leather notebook. I walked over to him and sat on the opposite side.
“How’s it going, Foxx?”
“Good, just making a few notes for our interview.”
“What kind of notes?” I asked.
“Interview questions. I don’t want to forget anything. You do that, don’t you?”
“Not exactly. I have them in my head, but maybe I should start writing them down. I usually take notes about what was said after the meetings.”
We spoke for a few minutes about my interview style and then Foxx looked past me to the bar’s entrance.
“There’s Tavii,” he said.
I slid out of the booth and stood to greet him. Foxx did not.
Tavii is of Hawaiian descent, although you probably guessed that from the name alone. He’s of average height with short, jet-black hair. He’s mostly thin with the exception of a small and isolated ring of fat around his midsection. It’s quite strange looking and hard not to stare at.
“Mr. Mayor,” I said.
Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery Page 4
