Jessalyn left him to his call and entered the kitchen. She’d make tea before she started her research. Her belly rumbled. Something to eat as well. She opened the fridge to survey the contents. It was full since Manu had ordered groceries and supplies online. The delivery had arrived the previous day.
She pulled out a loaf of bread, cheese, ham, and mayo.
“The word is out,” Manu said from the kitchen doorway. “I’ve had phone calls from both leaders of the South Island tribes. They’ll be in Auckland on Wednesday too.”
His phone rang again and after a glance at the screen, he pulled a face. “Wellington. I need to ask permission to enter their territory, anyway.”
“Go to your office. Talk taniwha politics. I’ll bring you a sandwich.”
Manu was still speaking on the phone when she entered his office with tea and a plate of sandwiches.
“See you on Wednesday.” He ended the call, rubbed his hands across his face and groaned. “God, I loathe taniwha politics.”
“How did the tribes discover the relic has returned?”
“I’m uncertain,” Manu said. “Every leader I’ve spoken to has acted cagey. Also, the leader of the Lower North Island tribe refuses to let me enter their territory.”
Jessalyn frowned. “Is that normal?”
“No, and he declined to give me a reason why he is denying me access.”
“Can we get on a flight this afternoon or tonight? The afternoon is better since breaking into the library doesn’t feel right.”
“Excellent idea.” Manu dragged his laptop closer and pulled up the Air New Zealand site.
Jessalyn wandered back to the kitchen to eat her sandwiches and finish her tea. She tapped into her phone and started her research on the library layout and the available resources.
“Done,” Manu said five minutes later. “We leave in two hours. Just let me call Dad, and I’ll ask him to arrange a meeting for tomorrow night for our tribe.”
“Will the Wellington tribe be watching the airport?”
“Possibly. We’ll hire a car and you can drive. Each of the leaders asked me what you look like,” Manu said with a trace of disgust.
“Why? What have my looks got to do with anything?”
“My best guess, they’re hoping to arrange a marriage with you. An arranged marriage will be more acceptable to the single men if you’re not a dog—to put it bluntly.”
“Don’t I get a choice in the matter? I don’t want to marry anyone. This isn’t the eighteenth century. I’m a responsible legal adult, and no one can force me to do anything.” Jessalyn half-expected Manu to laugh and tell her he was joking. That didn’t happen.
“Unfortunately, marriage might be your best bet if you want to stop the tribes hounding you.” Regret shone in Manu’s direct gaze.
Jessalyn stared at him, waiting for a better punch-line. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jessalyn could see he was genuinely apologetic at the situation, but it was one neither of them could change.
“Not one of them will have my wellbeing at heart,” she snapped. “They’ll marry me because matrimony gives them control of the relic and therefore power and bragging rights over the other tribes. Because of the supposed magical powers embedded in the relic.” She used her hands to do air quotes, disgust filling her. These men intended to move her around like a chessboard piece while they beat their chests and decided her future.
“Over our dead body,” her taniwha snapped.
For once, her taniwha didn’t project and confined her pithy observation to Jessalyn.
I agree, Jessalyn thought. Let them think they’ve won. They can’t force us to do anything.
“You will find a way to best them,” her taniwha said with confidence.
Jessalyn wasn’t so certain, but she’d exert her brain and outmaneuver these men who sought to control her, starting with this research trip.
“I’ve called a cab,” Manu said. “Here’s money to pay for the fare. I will stay invisible from now until we get inside the library. Wear your unit in case someone in Wellington decides you’re a person of interest. They don’t know what you look like at present, but you can bet they’ll be working to correct that.”
“Good point. I’ll wear a hat and pull back my hair instead of leaving it loose.”
The journey to Wellington proved fruitless, and the promising books held nothing to help Jessalyn. She’d even strolled into the staff areas. While she’d discovered source material, not one book mentioned the first taniwha or the relic. This was one legend that had remained in oral history rather than passing into the written language.
Disheartened, she and Manu returned to his house and crawled into bed. They’d fallen asleep, curled together.
A loud noise woke Jessalyn. Confusion filled her until her senses completed the gaps.
“It’s the door.” Manu rolled out of bed and rubbed his hands over his face.
His black hair stuck up in all directions, and the instinct to run her fingers through the dark locks had her sliding from bed too.
Manu pulled on a pair of jeans. “Stay here. I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”
“It’s time to get up anyway,” Jessalyn said and headed for the shower.
Ten minutes later, dressed and marginally more alert, she went in search of a cup of tea.
“Jessalyn,” Manu said, his face expressionless. “These two policemen want to speak to you.”
“Me?” She entered the lounge and the two cops straightened, their gazes watchful. One policeman was older with a stomach paunch straining his light blue shirt and leather belt. He reeked of tomato sauce. The other cop was younger and of Asian descent, and surprisingly his scent was spicy and green. Fresh. She also identified Manu—a musky, manly aroma along with a hint of citrus from the body wash in the shower. Delicious.
“Jessalyn Brown,” the older cop asked.
“Yes.” Something about the vibe in the room put her on guard.
“You are acquainted with Danny Ngataki?”
“Yes, he was my best friend when I lived in Piha.”
“Was?” the Asian cop asked, his brown eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“He turned up at the pub I worked at two days ago and made such a scene the manager fired me. I haven’t seen him since.” She decided seeing him while she was invisible didn’t count.
“So that was the last time you saw him?”
“Well, Manu told me he was hanging around outside here the next day, but I never saw him. Manu said he left.”
“Danny Ngataki was found dead this morning,” the elderly cop said.
“Dead?” Jessalyn didn’t have to pretend shock. “But how? Why?” She swallowed hard, then she got it—their meaning. “I didn’t do it! Yes, I might have been furious at Danny for getting me sacked, but he was my friend. I’d never kill him.” Her legs didn’t seem to want to hold her up, so she tottered to the nearest chair and fell onto it. “Are you sure it’s Danny?”
“His cousin Karl Waaka made an identification,” the older policeman said. “Can you tell us your whereabouts from yesterday afternoon until this morning?”
Jessalyn glanced at Manu and caught his faint nod. “I flew to Wellington and spent a few hours there and arrived back on the ten o’clock plane. Then, I came home and went to sleep.”
She couldn’t tell them Manu had been with her the entire time because he’d been invisible.
“Why did you go to Wellington?” the younger cop asked, piercing her with his brown gaze.
She glanced at Manu, her mind working busily. She couldn’t exactly mention anything taniwha either. No matter what she told them, her visit would raise flags. She clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m researching Maori mythology. I needed to check the records at the National Library.” Too late, she recalled no one in the library would’ve seen her because she’d used the stealth unit.
“All right,” the older cop said. “We might have further qu
estions for you.”
Manu showed them out and Jessalyn stood and followed. Manu partially closed the door. “Wait here until I come back or call you. Close the door after me.”
He turned invisible. The door opened wider and Jessalyn waited a few seconds before she closed it.
Now, she truly needed that cup of tea.
17 - Accusations
It was almost three hours later when Manu returned. Jessalyn had spent the time cooking and brooding. A sense of doom had settled in the pit of her stomach as she worried over what had happened to Danny and why.
A quick series of taps sounded on Manu’s front door.
“Yes,” she called.
“It’s me,” Manu said.
She opened the door.
“Let me inside,” Manu said. “No, stay out of sight. There’s a cop car parked opposite the house, and I’m certain the guy loitering at the end of the street is a Waaka.”
Jessalyn pressed against the wall and let Manu close the door. As soon as it shut, he materialized before her.
“Are you okay?”
She rubbed the back of her neck, tears pressing behind her eyes. “Is Danny really dead?”
“Yeah.” He sniffed. “Have you cooked? I missed a meal.”
Jessalyn followed Manu to the kitchen and served him a huge piece of Quiche Lorraine. She refreshed her cup of tea. “What happened?”
Manu hesitated.
“Tell me,” she said.
“The cops think you murdered Danny. The problem is they checked the flights and discovered you were on the plane to and from Wellington and this doesn’t fit with the window they have for the time of death.”
Jessalyn swallowed hard. “What happened to him?”
“They found his body near here. Someone thumped him over the head and fractured his skull.”
“How did they know about me?”
“He had a picture of you in his wallet, and his cousin told the cops you’d had a fight.”
“When?” Jessalyn demanded. “We had words after we got kicked out of the pub, but that’s the last time I saw him.”
“Karl told the cops you have a nasty temper and often hit Danny.”
Jessalyn’s mouth opened and closed and her indignation climbed to mountainous levels. “Karl Waaka has never liked me ever since I showed him up during our kickboxing class. The other boys teased him about getting beaten by a girl. I’m not violent. My temper is no worse than anyone else’s.”
“There is another guy with Karl. Martin Tamaki. He backed up everything Karl said.”
Jessalyn spluttered, gripping her cup so hard it was a wonder the china didn’t give with the force. “Martin Tamaki is a worm.”
“No one saw anything. They have no witnesses, but both Karl and Martin told the cops you rang Danny and arranged a meeting.”
“But that’s a lie.”
“The cops are confused because you were in Wellington, and the time of the alleged meeting was before our plane landed back in Auckland. I told them I was with Jack and Hone.”
“That’s something at least.”
“The cops think you paid someone else to kill Danny.”
“What? I don’t have any money.”
“They’re wondering if I’m involved,” Manu said. “Although Jack and Hone confirmed my story to the cops.”
“What are we going to do?”
“Well, first, I need to lock up the stealth units.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jessalyn said, understanding the wider repercussions immediately. The police presence would put a dampener on anything taniwha related.
“It’s not your fault.” Manu stood and walked around the table to hug her. “I think this is Nelson Waaka flexing his muscles and attempting to get you out of the way.”
“You think he’s responsible for Danny? He wants the relic that badly?”
“He craves the prestige and the mana,” Manu corrected. “Those connected with the relic via marriage have prospered. The Waaka tribe prospered in the short time they held it. Nelson will seize the relic and throw away the guardian.”
“I’m the guardian.”
“Yes.”
Jessalyn pulled from Manu’s comfort. “I’m winging it with no idea if I’m doing the right thing. What sort of guardian does that make me?”
“You’re doing the best you can. Jess, there is something else. With the senior members of all the tribes coming to town next week, you can’t stay with me any longer.”
“What? Why?”
“The other tribes will accuse me of using you for my own ends. I can’t have that.”
“You’re kicking me out?”
“No! I enjoy spending time with you. Cassie and Hone suggested you stay with them to avoid talk of conflicts of interest. If anyone asks, we’ll say you’re Cassie’s friend.”
His face had turned expressionless, and Jessalyn wasn’t sure what to think. She craved his touch, his comfort, yet despite their body contact, a palpable distance stretched between them.
Jessalyn stepped out of his embrace. “What will happen after this meeting?”
“One tribe will win over the others,” Manu said.
“Win how?” Her voice grew sharp, her mind jumping into nasty conclusions.
“If talking doesn’t reach a result, each tribe will pick a champion and there will be a fight until one dragon remains.”
“In other words, you’re going to fight over me like a bone.”
A knock on the door halted Manu’s reply. Jessalyn froze before instinct had her using her senses. Not the cops. A more gamey scent with a similar freshness to that of the Asian cop.
“It’s Hone,” Manu said. “He’s here to pick you up.”
Taniwha. She listened carefully to the murmur of voices. Hone wasn’t alone. She followed Manu but kept a healthy distance, hurt he was sending her away. If the other tribes wanted her, then why had Manu turned remote? She’d thought he liked her. Obviously, she’d misread the situation.
Manu opened the door to Hone and Cassie.
“Are you ready to go?” Hone asked.
“Manu just informed me I was leaving. I’ll pack my bag.” With stiff shoulders and her nose in the air, she retreated before she blubbered. And she never cried so that pissed her off further.
“Nice going, numbskull,” Hone said once Jess had disappeared from sight. He lowered his voice. “Why the hell didn’t you tell her she is your mate—a true mate—and you want to marry her? Why not admit you’ll be miserable without her?”
Manu sighed and didn’t dodge the truth. Jessalyn was it for him, and he’d never stood a chance with her because she was the guardian of the relic. If he claimed her, the other tribes would cry foul and the last thing he wanted was to drag his people into a war. The rumors swirled now because of his mother’s abrupt death. He was loath to add to the dung pile.
“Manu!”
Manu winced at the demand in Hone’s voice, but his cousin was the one man who understood the challenges he faced, both before and after taking up the leadership role. He trusted Hone with his secrets.
He centered his mind and inhaled before replying. “Jess is under enough pressure. I didn’t want to add to it, not with tribes meeting next week. She’ll have enough to deal with then. Besides, her taniwha is a mere babe. Jess doesn’t experience the same pull as me.”
Hone released a derisive snort. “So you intend to step away and suffer in silence. Have you realized the full moon is on the day of the meeting?”
“Emotions will be high. I’m certain the date was chosen to cause trouble,” Manu said.
“But what about Jessalyn? How is she going to cope with the added pressure of the moon? Everyone will watch her closely as it is. Have you thought of that?”
“Hone, stop picking on Manu,” Cassie said. “You need to prepare her as much as possible for what she can expect during the meeting. Give her every advantage so she can acquit herself well. Jessalyn is young. My guess—the tribal lead
ers will attempt to bulldoze her and order her to take specific actions. Help her prepare.”
“Cassie is right,” Hone said. “With your permission, I’ll describe the meeting and give her an idea of what she might face.”
“I’m ready,” Jess said.
Manu had the absurd impulse to grab Jess and fly her to Great Barrier Island where they could be alone. A normal courtship. If he had time, he could take her to a movie. They could act like a regular couple before he asked her to marry him. Unfortunately, her importance meant the other tribes would fire accusations of him using his inside position for gain.
He and Jess could never have an ordinary relationship now even though he’d liked her and known she was his mate before he’d learned of the relic.
A healthy knock on the door had him turning. He cast out his senses and frowned. Now what? He opened the door to glare at the two cops standing there—the same cops who’d visited earlier.
“We’d like to speak to Jessalyn Brown,” the older cop said.
Jess stepped forward, her pack on her back. “Yes?”
“Are you going somewhere?” the Asian cop asked.
“She is coming to stay with me and my husband,” Cassie said. “We’re going shopping.”
“Let Jessalyn answer,” the older cop demanded.
“I’m staying with Hone and Cassie for a few days,” Jessalyn said.
The older cop eyed her with skepticism. “We’d like you to come down to the station to answer a few questions.”
Jess scowled. “What sort of questions? I’ve told you everything I know.”
“Go with the police,” Hone said to Jess. “Cassie and I will wait until you’re finished.”
“Does Jess need a lawyer?” Manu asked.
“What? I can’t afford a lawyer,” Jess squawked.
“Jess will be out in a few minutes,” Manu said to the cops.
They shared a quick glance before the Asian cop answered. “Two minutes.”
“Jess,” Manu said. “They think they have something on you if they want to question you formally. It’s fine not to use a lawyer but use your judgment. If things get sticky, tell them you want to stop until you have a lawyer present. Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover it for you. Okay?”
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