Paradise Crime Thrillers Box Set

by Toby Neal

  “I have been able to uncover a lead regarding the money trail online that I want to tell you about,” Sophie said. “But I also want us both to hear from Jake regarding his impressions from the site visit.”

  “Yes, that was interesting,” Jake said. “I enjoyed touring the venue for the event. I can tell it’s well-attended, and the entire team putting it on seems very attentive and committed. The building and maintenance guy said security is pretty good with off-duty police officers, and only a few bathroom security concerns. I would like to know your impressions about the program manager, Ilima Cruz. She seems to be in a position to shunt funding wherever she wants it to go.”

  “Yes, she is in that position. But I would swear that Ilima is completely honest and dedicated to the vision of the Merrie Monarch as a vehicle for the promotion and preservation of Hawaiian culture. She would never do anything to endanger the Festival; in fact, rumor has it that she lost her marriage over it because she was so dedicated and overzealous.” Kim looked like she might be a little overzealous herself. Dark circles under her eyes were visible even in the grainy video feed. Kim leaned forward, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. “What did you think of the old guy? The site manager?”

  “Ando Bautista. He’s quite a character. He seems to think there’s something fishy with the financials, too. He said he remembers a lot more money being spent on visible promotion of the event than there has been this year. All of this, so far, is pointing to the leak being something related to marketing and advertising,” Jake said.

  “That’s just what I was going to confirm to you, Kim.” Sophie held up copies of bank statements that she had pulled from the Festival’s accounts where the computer’s camera could capture them for Kim to see. “The budget being given to the governing board is being followed—but the actual work and advertising being paid for is not being provided, even though it is on paper. Just don’t ask any questions about how I got this information.”

  Kim shook her head. “I won’t. What’s next?”

  “I think Jake and I should visit the advertising agency that’s our main suspect. Go in undercover. Pitch ourselves as possible clients and see what we can see.”

  “That sounds good. Keep me posted!” They ended the call. Sophie busied herself taking some notes, waiting for Jake to get back to whatever he’d been doing.

  Instead, he reached out for Sophie’s hand. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Nothing.” She tried to pull her hand away.

  Jake wouldn’t let go. “Look at me.” He lifted her hand to his lips and nibbled on her fingertip. Sensation shot through Sophie and lit her up. Those gray eyes were hypnotizing her. Damn those lashes of his, they were like black winter branches around an icy pond…

  “Not in the office,” she breathed.

  Jake held Sophie’s gaze, kissing a path across her palm and onto her wrist with his warm, supple lips. “Mm. We never did break in this desk,” he murmured.

  The door opened silently, and Felicia stood there, holding a file. Her face drained of color as she took in the scene, meeting Sophie’s eyes. The receptionist withdrew abruptly, shutting the door.

  Sophie tried to tug her hand away again. “Felicia saw you doing that.”

  “So what?” Jake was intent on her, oblivious to the heart he’d just broken. “I have a couple of apartments I want us to go see. It’s time for us to get out of that motel.”

  “We’re not moving in together, Jake.”

  “Why not?”

  Sophie swallowed, feeling sick again. “Because. It’s too soon.”

  “Explain to me how it makes sense for us to go through the expense and hassle of renting two places when you know we’ll just end up spending the night at one place or the other.”

  Sophie shut her eyes as he resumed making love to her hand like he had all the time in the world. Delicious ripples of feeling moved up her arm and over her body, and headed south from there.

  So much work to find her own place, deal with all the paperwork and applications, expense, and hassle. But living together? So much more of a commitment than dating exclusively. On the other hand, they might be having a child together…

  She yanked her hand away and tucked it into her lap, where it tingled as if separate from the rest of her body. “I agree we need to get out of the motel, but I don’t feel ready to move in with you.”

  “Fine. I kind of guessed you might get stubborn about it.” Jake didn’t even sound annoyed—he just settled back in his chair with an air of getting down to business. He took out his phone. “I found two apartments in the same building. Ocean views on Hilo Bay, close to running trails, and pet friendly for the dogs. Now that we’ve finished the meeting with Kim, we can go look at the units. I already made an appointment.”

  Gratitude that he was not only accepting her boundary but helping with the challenges of moving filled her. Sophie leaned across the desk to kiss him. “Can we get some lunch, too? I’m really hungry all of a sudden.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Akane Chang threw back his head and howled his grief. “Nooo!”

  He turned and hit the heavy workout bag, dangling beside him, with a flurry of blows. The padded gloves he wore thumped like bullets hitting flesh.

  He had no family left: his parents, his brother, his closest cousin—all dead.

  He had never expected Terence to make this kind of balls-out deadly move in a million years. Killing his own relatives in cold blood in front of a roomful of witnesses? It was the act of a much harder man than Akane had ever imagined his cousin to be. And now Terence had the whole board eating out of his bloody hand with a combination of fear and reward.

  He hit and kicked and thrashed on the bag until his first paroxysm of emotion was expended.

  Lee Chow, deliverer of the bad news, cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m sorry, man.”

  “You’re sorry?” The unreasoning beast of rage roared up through Akane’s veins and gave him super strength. He leapt upon his associate, raining blows on Chow’s body until the man’s defensive posture, with his arms up over his face, finally reminded Akane that this was no enemy.

  He heaved himself away from Chow and stalked around the small, empty gym, swearing vengeance, muttering the names of his lost family members in a litany that gave him little solace.

  He wished he could kill Terence’s parents, but his aunt and uncle were already gone, collateral damage in a business dispute years ago. Instead, he would have the blood of anyone Terence had ever known or loved. He’d go after Terence’s favorite family connections. He knew where they lived. He’d draw out their pain and enjoy every minute of their suffering. Akane’s gloved hands opened and shut in anticipation.

  He’d leave Terence for last, so his cousin could rage and grieve as Akane was doing now.

  Akane reached Lee Chow, groaning on the floor. He leaned over and patted Chow’s shoulder awkwardly. “Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to go off on you like that. I’ve got a major bonus for you, but I need some information first.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The building manager’s keys rattled as he opened the door of the first unit for Jake and Sophie. He reeked of cigarettes and the greasy chicken they’d interrupted him eating when they arrived for the showing, and Jake noticed Sophie’s nose scrunched in obvious distaste as they stood downwind. “It’s a studio. Best feature is the view,” the man said.

  A simple room with linoleum flooring, a kitchenette, and a bathroom, the place did have a deck with a sliding glass door that looked out over Hilo Bay. The soft gauze of “vog” cast a powdered gold glow lit by afternoon sunlight falling over the gently swaying palms, Hilo Bay’s gleaming water in the distance. The busy thoroughfare of their office was only blocks away; it was a convenient location, even if not the most beautiful building. Sophie looked around at the simple space. “I think I’d like a little more room than this.”

  “We were going to look at the one bedroom, too,” Jake told the manager.
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  “Sure.” The man glanced at their joined hands. “You could save money by sharing. As roommates. Or just shacking up.”

  Jake suppressed a grin—the guy was making his case for him.

  Sophie was testy. “Your opinion is not relevant, sir. Please just show us the unit.”

  The man shrugged and led the way out of the studio down an open exterior corridor to the next unit. This one had a separate bedroom, living room, and a galley-style kitchen. Sophie’s gaze darted around the space. “I’ll take this one, Jake, if you don’t mind.”

  He knew how she would furnish it: with blackout curtains in the bedroom, triple locks on the door, and not a lot of furniture—if any. He’d shop for both of them.

  “I like the studio better, so this works out perfectly.” Jake squeezed Sophie’s hand, suppressing the twinge of hurt he still felt over her insistence on separate spaces. She’d tried to tug her hand away during the appointment several times, but he found that if he just persisted gently, she usually warmed up. Her standoffishness was a habit as much as anything, and he relished every time she let him get closer.

  But today, something was definitely up with her.

  They’d had amazing lovemaking after the talk at the restaurant, but Sophie’d come to work from that therapy session at Dr. Wilson’s looking pale, shaky, and totally shut down. He’d tried to get her to open up, but no go.

  He’d give her space, but not for long.

  Secrets were toxic. They eroded trust, and trust was the foundation for everything that mattered. He’d set out to prove to Sophie that he could be trusted, and so far, so good. That she’d shared the situation with her mother and the project she and Hamilton were working on was huge—but he wanted to know her emotional secrets, too, even if they hurt.

  Even if they involved her feelings for Alika.

  They wrapped up the appointment by completing applications for the two units, then heading back down to the white Security Solutions SUV.

  “Think we should let the dogs out before we go to the ad agency?” Jake asked, getting behind the wheel. “We’re passing right by the motel.”

  “Good idea. Can you do it? I’m so tired; I just need a small nap.” Sophie reclined her seat. “Ten minutes. That’s all I need.”

  “No problem.”

  Sophie reached into that backpack she carried everywhere and took out a black sleep mask. She slid it on, reclined her seat, and by the time he’d pulled the SUV out of the parking lot, she was asleep, her long body curled sideways on the seat facing him.

  Nope, they hadn’t slept much last night, and all of that activity had wiped her out. Jake smiled at the memory.

  He navigated back to the motel and rolled down the vehicle’s windows, parking in the shade of the motel’s trademark banyan tree so Sophie would stay cool while she rested. He put Ginger and Tank on their leashes and took them for a short run, letting the ad agency they were investigating know they were going to be a little late.

  The dogs cavorted and tugged, pausing to pee on every tree and patch of grass. They’d been able to let the animals stay together since they’d rented adjoining rooms, but once they were in their separate apartments, they’d likely have to be split up. He didn’t think the dogs would like that.

  Jake put the dogs back in the room and gently shook Sophie. “Hey, Soph. Hate to wake you, but we have to get into our disguises as a couple shopping for an advertising firm.”

  “Oh.” Sophie knuckled her eyes. She was so beautiful, even rumpled and sleepy—okay, especially rumpled and sleepy. He loved her that way—it brought out all his caveman instincts. Carrying her back to the room seemed like a fun option, if she’d let him.

  Jake opened her car door, hoping to grab her up, but Sophie got out and stood, stretching her arms and yawning widely. “Thanks for letting me nap.”

  She picked up her pack and headed for the motel room as he closed the vehicle’s windows. He pulled the magnetic Security Solutions signs off the doors so they could go incognito as clients to Coconut Wireless Advertising & Marketing.

  Back in the motel room, Jake changed into a button-down aloha shirt in a subdued tropical print and chino shorts as the water ran in the bathroom and Sophie showered. He glanced at the backpack, sitting innocuously on her bed. What was in there that she guarded so closely?

  Was he really considering having a peek inside?

  Yep, he was. He’d always been too curious; even his mama said so. Made him a good investigator.

  Jake unzipped the top of the pack and peeked in.

  Nothing more than he’d expected—a solid-state storage drive, a couple of stick drives. Her wireless headphones. A rolled jump rope for those exercise breaks she liked to take. A small flashlight, a pocketknife. Some electrical tape and a blue coil of internet cable. A couple of wallets that she used for her identities. A bag of dog treats. Jake moved the bag of treats aside with a finger and froze at the sight of the small white box concealed beneath it.

  A pregnancy test?

  Jake’s heart rate jacked like he’d spotted a rattlesnake. He recoiled, sweat breaking out over his body. He zipped the pack shut and adjusted it to make sure it looked untouched, feeling horrible that he’d violated her privacy…and yet.

  A pregnancy test? That sure as shit affected him too!

  What the hell should he do?

  “Holy Mary,” he muttered, returning momentarily to his family’s Catholic roots. He collapsed on the end of his bed, dropping his head into his hands. Tank got up and came to lick Jake’s arms, sensing his agitation. Jake pushed the dog away even as he felt happiness burst forth from somewhere deep inside, bubble up through his body, and out through his face in a huge grin.

  Sophie might be pregnant, and he might be a daddy.

  He’d always wanted to be a daddy.

  But he had to tamp his excitement down. Hide his thoughts. Conceal that he had a clue. Because Sophie would not take kindly to his snooping, that was for sure.

  Sophie came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Her color was better, her eyes brighter. “I guess I needed that nap.” She eyeballed him. “You look like a tourist.”

  Jake held out a huarache-clad foot. “Too much?”

  “I never see anyone but visitors wear those. Aren’t we supposed to be residents?” Sophie dropped the towel to the floor in front of the room’s tacky bureau and rummaged in a drawer.

  Jake enjoyed the sight of Sophie naked: bending over to open a lower drawer, taking out underwear and stepping into them, tugging them up over her slim thighs to hug her perfect butt. What this woman did to him… She slid her arms into a plain black bra, clipping it in front.

  He assessed her breasts as she turned in his direction. They seemed bigger. But maybe he was imagining things, with this new knowledge. She was definitely filling out again after that bad time she’d been through out alone on the lava, getting back to a healthy weight…his mind raced, counting the weeks since they’d first slept together on their previous job.

  If she was pregnant, it had to have happened then. Officially becoming a couple was too soon…but what the hell did he know? He’d have to Google the whole damn thing.

  Jake’s mind was a kaleidoscope of whirling thoughts that he hid with difficulty as Sophie finished primping and turned to face him in her Mary Watson disguise: a floral sundress and sandals, big Jackie O sunglasses, and a straw hat. She picked up her backpack. “Please stop staring at me, Jake.”

  “Nope. I like staring at you.” Jake swallowed his grin with difficulty as she elbowed him walking past. He followed her out the door, wondering how the hell he’d get through the days until she decided to tell him what was going on with that little white box.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sophie walked up the weathered wooden steps of the Coconut Wireless Advertising & Marketing office, located on the Hamakua side of Hilo in a restored plantation cottage. Prepared to be suspicious, Sophie was charmed instead, as she gazed around the tidy, square buildi
ng with its plethora of sheltering tree ferns, weathered tikis and Buddhas, and pots of blooming orchids.

  Jake, a wall of heat at her elbow, verbalized Sophie’s thoughts. “Sweet place.”

  The front office was the former living room. A pretty young receptionist waved them in and offered them tea and coffee. They declined and were soon shown into a back office.

  A woman with a face and figure like one of the grinning Buddhas on the building’s porch greeted them. “Welcome to Coconut Wireless! I’m Penny Chang. How can we help you?”

  Sophie felt a ping! of anxiety go off as she shook the woman’s soft, plump hand. Penny Chang had to be related to the crime family. “I’m Mary. Mary Watson. And this is my boyfriend, Lance O’Connell.”

  “Hey there,” Jake said, with a Southern drawl that sounded entirely real. “Love your place.”

  “Oh yes. This house was our family home when I was growing up, and it needed remodeling. I decided it was perfect for an office, instead.” Penny bustled around to sit down at her desk, a large koa table with a computer on one end. “What can I help you with today?”

  Sophie glanced at Jake, who picked up the thread of their planned spiel. “We are planning a major event to alert corporate and other customers to our new business. We’re a travel agency located in Hilo. We specialize in putting together one-of-a-kind travel packages for groups and businesses.”

  Penny slipped on a pair of reading glasses and pulled out a yellow pad from a small stacking organizer. She grinned up at them, looking more Buddha-like than ever. “Oh, I have a perfect plan in mind. We can do print and online exposure for you and your event, and also some signage around town and the dock area where travelers and visitors would see it.” She slipped off the glasses to make eye contact with Sophie. “How did you hear about us?”

  “We are big fans of the Merrie Monarch Festival.” Sophie smiled back at the woman—it was impossible not to. “We heard you handle their PR. Did you do that big billboard over by the airport? Very attractive.”