Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

by Robert W. Stephens

  “I hired an associate of mine to follow Detective Parrish for a few weeks before your trial started. She’s very adept at tailing people without them knowing,” I continued.

  “She’s also quite the photographer. Does Josh Parrish’s wife know about his affair?”

  “Not yet. I assumed you’d want to do the honors.”

  “Thank you. I believe I will.”

  “Tiana was in love with Detective Parrish. I suspect she would have done anything for him. She helped him set up Eric Ellis. I suspect she also helped convince Eric to turn against you.”

  “You said she was in love with him. Has something changed?”

  “Keep looking through the photos,” I said.

  She continued to flip through the photographs until she got to the last one. It was an image of Tiana with a black eye and swollen lip.

  “That photograph was taken by me. Her injuries were sustained on the same day of my appearance at your trial,” I continued.

  “Josh Parrish’s handiwork, I presume.”

  “I had the same thought, but Tiana refused to admit it. My wife has a copy of the photo and she’s on her way now to speak with Ms. Wise. She hopes to convince her to press assault charges.”

  “Will the DA arrest Josh Parrish for what he did to Eric?”

  “I don’t know. I gave them all the evidence I have. I put the odds at fifty-fifty,” I said.

  “They protect their own. I wouldn’t be surprised if he walks.”

  I didn’t reply.

  “So, are you ever going to ask me if I did it?”

  “Did what?” I asked.

  “Killed Josh’s father, Ronan Huff.”

  “Would you like me to ask you?”

  She waved her hand, as if dismissing my question.

  “No need, but here’s something you may not know. I hired Ronan years ago because of his wife. She and I were friends, and they were seeing hard times. Ronan was a good employee until he wasn’t.”

  “You mean when he stole from you,” I said.

  “Samson found out. I let Ronan go.”

  “Forgive me, but I find that hard to believe.”

  “You wouldn’t if you’d known the depth of my friendship with his wife. She died shortly after that incident. Ronan blamed her for what happened. He was convinced she’d told me about the theft.”

  “You think he killed her? I thought she died in a car accident?”

  “I had Samson look into it because I didn’t think the police would give it the attention it deserved. It was no accident. So, you can see the irony of Josh Parrish wanting to avenge the man who’d murdered his mother.”

  “That’s why you had Ronan Huff killed,” I said.

  “He murdered my friend, an innocent woman and a mother. He got what he deserved. Then his son grew up to become a murderer in his own right. Like father, like son.”

  “Did you know that Detective Parrish was Ronan’s son?”

  “No. If I had, he wouldn’t have been here to cause all of this mischief.”

  “Does that mean what I think it does?” I asked.

  “I’ll give the police the chance to do the right thing. If they don’t, then I will. And yes, I realize the foolishness of admitting such a thing to the husband of a homicide detective.”

  It was certainly a moral dilemma for me, but I decided to debate it another day. There was still time to let the Maui Police Department do their thing.

  “There’s something else. I know I said at the beginning of this investigation that I wouldn’t find the documents that Eric stole from you, but I can give you an update on them. I met with Gracie Ito a third time since I had another hunch. It turns out that Eric left the documents with her and she destroyed them after he disappeared,” I said.

  “Do you believe her?”

  “I do. Besides, it’s been five years. If she still had them and wanted to hurt you, she would have used them by now.”

  “I have one more question for you,” she said.

  “Of course.”

  “I heard there were others besides Stan Cross who saw an opportunity in my incarceration,” she said.

  “Who are you referring to?”

  “My grandson. I have it on good authority that Oleen wasn’t the only one who told the police about my safe hidden behind my bookcase.”

  “Tavii told them too?” I asked.

  She nodded.

  “He and Oleen weren’t talking at that point, but they both tried the same tactic on me.”

  “What exactly is your question?”

  “Did you personally witness Tavii conspiring against me?”

  “I think you should ask him that question yourself.”

  “I will and thank you for giving me the answer. I think it’s time my grandson learned how to make his own way,” she said. “I know you officially quit working for me after meeting with my former attorney. However, I also realize you continued with your investigation in the spirit of seeing justice done. I’d like to pay you for your time.”

  I heard the back door open and Samson walked through, further convincing me that he had a microphone hidden somewhere near the firepit.

  “How is Detective Hu doing, by the way? I heard you had an unwelcome visitor at a party months ago,” she continued.

  “My wife is fine, and yes, we did have a visitor, although I don’t know how unwelcome he is these days.”

  “Please give her my best. And don’t do anything to screw up that relationship of yours. A woman like that is hard to find.”

  “I know, and I will do my best to hold on to her.”

  Samson arrived a second later and he handed me an envelope. I didn’t bother looking at the check then and there. That would have been tacky.

  “Thank you both, and might I say once more how happy I am that the truth finally came out,” I said.

  “I was correct when we met months ago, Mr. Rutherford. You and I are going to be good friends,” Mrs. Akamu said.

  I smiled.

  “Mrs. Akamu, Mr. Opunui, I wish you both a good day,” I said.

  Samson escorted me back to my car. He thanked me again. We said goodbye once more and I climbed into my car. I started the engine, turned my Pet Shop Boys playlist on again, and drove off.

  I stopped once I was out of their view and opened the envelope since I was dying to know the amount of the check. Forgive me for not telling you the specific number but pick the most outrageous number you can. Then double it. Now double it again, and you’ll be getting a little closer.

  I felt a bit awkward taking Mele Akamu’s money, especially since I knew it had more than likely come from illegal activities. I decided to do what I usually do, though, and I drove to the Maui Animal Center. I endorsed the back of the check and then handed it to Apikalia, the center’s director. She just about fainted when she saw the amount, and I had to help her over to a nearby chair. Once she regained her composure, I thanked her for the service she provided to our furry friends and wished her and her staff a good day.

  I had one more stop to make. I was off to the airport in Kahului.

  35

  The First Law

  I’m sure you noticed the title of my mystery tale, Poe’s First Law. I think it’s well past time for me to reveal what it is. My first law is this: Anyone is capable of murder. As an investigator, it’s important for me to view everyone as a suspect, which is something I failed to do in my early cases. Everyone is flawed, and everyone is capable of doing horrible things if you push the right buttons. It’s human nature and humans are anything but predictable. The point is that you have to expect the unexpected, and the man investigating the murder may, in fact, be the murderer.

  As I wrap up this tale, I’m also well aware of the fact that you may have issues with the notion that I worked for a criminal. Trust me when I say that I shared those same misgivings. So, why did I do it? That’s an easy question to answer and I believe I alluded to it earlier in this story. My goal has always been to find
the truth, and the truth in this situation was that Mele Akamu was innocent. Despite Eric Ellis turning against her, she didn’t kill him and neither did Samson.

  Although I’d solved the case, I was beyond disappointed that the guilty party walked free. I also knew that the case of Eric Ellis was not the last time I’d interact with Detective Josh Parrish. Speaking of which…

  I was about halfway between the Maui Animal Center and the airport in Kahului when I noticed a dark sedan quickly approaching from behind. A moment later, red and blue lights flashed on the front grill of the car. The lights were accompanied by a loud whooping sound. I pulled off to the side of the road. I’ll give you one guess as to who it was.

  I pulled out my phone and opened a recording application. I was about to hit the little red button when Detective Parrish snatched the phone out of my hand. He dropped it on the street and then smashed it with the heel of his shoe.

  “Should I report you for police brutality against my phone?” I asked.

  “Do you always have a joke for everything?”

  “Just where it concerns you.”

  “I guess you’ve already collected your blood money from Mele Akamu now that she’s out of jail,” he said.

  “My blood money?”

  “You helped a killer go free. What would you call what she paid you?”

  “I think you and I can stop playing games now. We both know she didn’t kill Eric Ellis.”

  “No, but she killed my father. Doesn’t she deserve to go to jail for that?”

  “My answer may surprise you. Yes, I think she should go to jail,” I said.

  Detective Parrish said nothing.

  “And what about Eric Ellis? He had nothing to do with your father’s death. Why did he deserve to die?” I asked.

  “Sometimes people have to be sacrificed for the greater good. Besides, you don’t think Eric Ellis would have eventually turned out worse than Mele Akamu? Whoever killed him probably did the world a favor.”

  “There was something I didn’t mention during the trial, nor did I tell Mrs. Akamu earlier today. I know you didn’t act alone. You had Stan Cross’ help.”

  “Why would you say something like that?”

  “He helped you lure Eric Ellis to his death. The phone records prove that. He also got rid of Daniel Davis once you two realized that I’d discovered the truth about Daniel’s fake dog.”

  “That fool never should have gotten rid of that dog so quickly,” Detective Parrish said.

  “It was an ingenious plan. You killed Eric right after you became a cop and then you had the body discovered weeks after you made detective. How did you guarantee that you’d get the case, though?”

  Detective Parrish smiled but said nothing.

  “By the way, I got Mele Akamu’s safe open on my fifth attempt. How many did it take you?” I asked.

  “Three.”

  “Aren’t you worried?”

  “About what?”

  “About Stan Cross. He knows the pressure is on you, especially after the story I told in court. He may think you’re going to cut a deal and flip on him.”

  “If anything, Stan Cross should be worried about me. You should too. Just ask Eric Ellis,” he said.

  “Oh, I don’t take your threats lightly. Have a good day. Maybe we can work your next case together.”

  “A word of warning, Rutherford. When the end arrives for you, and it will soon, you’ll never see it coming.”

  Detective Parrish kicked the broken pieces of my cell phone and then walked back to his sedan. I waited for him to drive off before starting my car.

  I always played my music through my phone, so there was to be no more Pet Shop Boys for the remainder of the drive to the airport.

  I parked my convertible in airport parking and walked to the arrivals area. I found the flight information and walked to the appropriate baggage claim. It took me another ten minutes to find the person I was meeting.

  “There you are,” I said.

  Sora Hu slipped his phone back into his pocket.

  “I tried calling you a couple of times, but it went straight to voicemail.”

  “Sorry about that. I had a little accident with my phone on the way here.”

  I looked at the small roller suitcase at his feet.

  “Is that all of your luggage?” I asked.

  “Yes, I like to travel light.”

  “Good, then we won’t need to smother it in grease to fit it in the trunk of my car.”

  “Is Alana outside?” he asked.

  “No, she’s going to meet us at Harry’s.”

  “What about Hani?”

  “She can’t make it tonight. She has two meetings at our event space in Wailea. Shall we head for the car?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  We walked into the parking lot and climbed into the convertible.

  “Nice car,” Sora said.

  “Thanks. I bought it off of Foxx when I first moved to the island.”

  I started the engine and put the car in gear. I turned out of the parking lot, and we started the drive for Lahaina.

  “Yuto asked me to tell you that a suite opened up at his hotel, so he upgraded you.”

  “That’s nice of him. How are things between Hani and Yuto?”

  “Nonexistent, I’m afraid. Hani has thrown herself into her work, so has Yuto.”

  “They’re not talking at all?”

  “Not that I know of. I think they’ve both moved on. I feel a little bad for saying this, but I think it’s probably for the best. There was a little too much drama going on between the two of them,” I said.

  “All caused by me, I’m sure.”

  “Not at all. I think your presence was the kick they needed to have a hard look at their relationship.”

  “Maybe time will bring them back together.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  I laughed.

  “Because I know your daughter. She’ll never forgive Yuto for ending things with her.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  I watched as Sora looked off to the ocean as we made our way down Honoapiilani Highway.

  “I never get tired of that view,” I said.

  “How do you like living on Maui?”

  “I love it. Should have done it years ago. How about you? Do you miss it?”

  “Yes, which is why I’ve got a meeting lined up with a realtor tomorrow. She’s going to show me some condos.”

  “Wonderful. Do Alana and Hani know about that?” I asked.

  “I mentioned it to Alana in our last email.”

  He paused a moment.

  Then he continued, “You don’t know how surprised I was when I got Alana’s first email a few months ago. I thought she’d written me off for good, especially when she refused to see me on my last trip here.”

  “It surprised me too.”

  “What do you think made her change her mind?” he asked.

  “I think it was a conversation we had about my parents. They’re both deceased, and I mentioned that I would give anything to have one more conversation with them.”

  “Thank you for that.”

  “You’re welcome, but in all honesty, I did it for her.”

  “I understand. What about Luana? How is she taking all of this?”

  “Not well. She hasn’t spoken to Alana or Hani in weeks. I’m sure she’ll come around, especially since I know she wants to see her granddaughter.”

  “She’s been ignoring Ava too?”

  “Ava and Hani are a package deal, so yes, she hasn’t seen Ava either,” I said.

  “Hani said she would introduce me to Ava on this trip. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I’m sure. She’s a special little girl. Smart as can be and energy to spare. I have trouble keeping up with her.”

  We drove in silence for a few moments. Then Sora turned to me.

  “I know I don’t
deserve this second chance with my daughters, and I’m sure you’re worried for them. I want you to know that I don’t take this opportunity for granted. I’m a changed man and I’m going to prove that to all of you.”

  “Good. I look forward to seeing that,” I said.

  “It’s not just them, Poe. I want to get to know you better too. You should hear some of the things Alana wrote about you in her emails.”

  “Don’t believe any of it,” I said, and I laughed.

  “She thinks the world of you. I want to get to know that man.”

  “There’s Harry’s up ahead,” I said, ignoring his comment.

  I hadn’t decided yet how well I wanted to get to know Sora. I still had a hard time processing how a man could abandon his family. But everyone deserves a second chance, or so I’ve heard. Still, I was content to sit on the sidelines and observe his growing relationship with Alana and Hani. Once they accepted him, or not, then I’d make my own decision.

  I parked the BMW under the shade of a tree, and we walked into Harry’s. I spotted Alana sitting in a back booth by herself. We walked over to her and stopped at the edge of the table.

  “Hello, Alana,” Sora said.

  Alana stood, but she didn’t move to hug him, not that I expected her to.

  “Why don’t we have a seat and talk,” she said.

  “I’ll send Kiana over to get your drink order,” I said.

  “You don’t want to join us?” Alana asked, and I could hear a hint of nervousness in her voice.

  “In a little while. There’s something I need to talk to Foxx about first. It will just take me a few minutes.”

  I walked to the bar and asked Kiana to get anything Alana and Sora wanted. Then I nodded to Foxx and asked him to join me in our office. We walked into the back and I shut the door behind us.

  “What’s up, buddy?” he asked.

  “Since you were my partner in crime on this investigation, I want you to be the first to hear.”

  “Hear what?”

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small digital audio recorder.

  “Detective Parrish pulled me over on the way to the airport. I made a point of showing him the audio recorder on my phone. I figured he’d grab it from me, which he did. He owes me a new phone, by the way.”