Mare's Nest

by Larry Darter

  "Remember, if the police ask you about the money, we found it in the hut in the backpack," I said. "Don't mention anything about digging up the ammunition cans."

  "Got it," Jackie said.

  Waiting for the police, we continued discussing plans for our joint business venture.

  Chapter 28

  TWO FEMALE UNIFORMED officers arrived first. The one in charge told us that they had orders to separate us. One of them escorted Jackie back to her room. The other stayed with me. A stocky Hawaiian who looked to be in his forties arrived. He introduced himself as Detective Sam Kawasaki.

  It didn't take long for me to realize that Kawasaki wasn't there to elicit information from a crime victim. The meeting was more of an interrogation. He kept asking the same questions trying to find holes in my story. I knew the other detective was doing the same thing to Jackie. Then they would compare notes. I tried not to allow Kawasaki to wind me up.

  "You said the deceased threatened you with a gun and that's when you shot him," Kawasaki said.

  "That's right," I said.

  "Where did you get the gun you shot him with?"

  "I told you, detective, I got it off, Ms. Fitzgerald."

  "Does she have a permit to carry a firearm?"

  "You will have to ask her about that," I said. "I haven't a clue."

  "Why did you take her gun? Were you planning to kill the deceased when he returned?"

  "No, I wasn't. But, I knew what Adam Morton was like. He made it clear that he intended to kill Ms. Fitzgerald and me. I was in fear for our lives. I took the gun because if a shooting occurred, I didn't want her involved in it."

  "You must have been angry about him making you strip for him and for tying you up," Kawasaki said. "You sure you didn't kill him because you wanted a little payback."

  "I'm sure," I said.

  "Where did you find the money?" Kawasaki said.

  "In the hut inside the backpack it was in when Morton took it off me in Honolulu," I said.

  "And you're sure all the money is there?"

  "No, it's not like we counted it," I said. "We grabbed the backpack after the confrontation with Morton. Then we came back here and called the police."

  "You took the money, but you left the gun you alleged the deceased threatened you with beside his body?"

  "Yes, I was a police constable once," I said. "I didn't want to disturb the crime scene."

  "That wasn't smart," Kawasaki said. "Especially since you and Fitzgerald left the scene. What if someone had taken the gun. That's the only evidence you have to support your story of self-defense."

  "Like I said, I didn't want to disturb the crime scene."

  "What was your relationship with the deceased?"

  "Relationship? I had no relationship with Morton. He was a suspect in the case Douglas Shaw hired me to investigate."

  "You sure about that? You didn't have a social relationship with him? You weren't ever intimate with him?"

  "Of course not, that's absurd," I said.

  "Why didn't you call us from the scene and wait for police to arrive?"

  "Because it felt fucking weird being there," I said. "We wanted to get somewhere safe, and we called as soon as we arrived here."

  "Tell me more about the case Douglas Shaw hired you for and about how you first encountered the deceased."

  "No, I won't," I said. "I'm bored of you treating me like a suspect. I'm a crime victim. The police in Honolulu have all the facts about my case and that bit. If you want to know more about that, talk to them and get copies of their reports."

  "Why are you uncooperative? What are you trying to hide Ms. O'Sullivan?"

  "Know what detective? Fuck off. This conversation is over until I have an attorney present?"

  "Attorney? Are you guilty of a crime? Is that why you want an attorney?"

  "I want an attorney because you're being a dick and it's my right to have one," I said. "I've cooperated. I handed over the money, and I handed over the gun I used to shoot Adam Morton. I will not allow you to treat me like a crim any longer."

  Kawasaki sighed. "I'm going to try to contact this HPD detective you mentioned and see what he has to say. Unless he changes my mind, I intend to take you down to the station for further questioning. After we get you a lawyer of course. But it will be tomorrow before we can get one here from Maui so we'll have to lock you up until then."

  "Piss off," I said. "I have nothing more to say to you, Kawasaki."

  There was a knock at the door. The uniformed officer opened it. The other detective was at the door. Kawasaki gave me one last stare and then got up. He went outside with the other detective and closed the door behind him. I wondered how Jackie had fared with the other detective. No reason our stories wouldn't match up as long as she remembered the bit about how we found the money. I was a bit worried about the stacks of cash in Jackie's overnight bag. I'd stashed the bag on the top shelf of the wardrobe in my room behind some spare blankets. If Kawasaki made good on his promise to take me in, the police would search my room. They would find the money or someone from the hotel cleaning staff would find it. Neither would be good for me.

  Kawasaki came back in the room, trailed by the other detective.

  "I spoke with Detective Young at HPD," Kawasaki said. "I still sense you haven't told me everything and are holding something back. That makes me suspicious. But based on Detective Young's recommendation, I'm not going to take you into custody. Instead, you and Ms. Fitzegerald are to remain at this hotel until I tell you otherwise. You may not leave Lanai City. I've had a hold placed on Ms. Fitzgerald's helicopter."

  "Fair enough, we weren't planning to leave anyway," I said.

  "Good night," Ms. O'Sullivan. "We will talk more tomorrow after our crime scene unit finishes at the scene." With that, Kawasaki and the other detective left the room. The uniformed officer gave me a weak smile and followed them out.

  After the police cars drove away, I hurried to Jackie's room. She was stepping out of her room on the way to mine.

  "That was tense," Jackie said.

  "Yep, it sucked," I said. "You all right?"

  "Sure, I am now that the cop left."

  "Hope he wasn't as bad as the prick that interrogated me," I said.

  "He wasn't very friendly, that's for sure," Jackie said.

  "Want to get drinks?" I said. The bar is still open for another couple of hours."

  "Lead the way," Jackie said.

  "How about I meet you at the bar in ten," I said. "I need to call the detective in Honolulu first before it gets any later. I'm sure he will come over and help sort this."

  "Okay, T. J., see you in ten," Jackie said.

  Back in my room, I rang Mike Young. He was still up and told me how worried he had been about me. I gave him a brief summary of how Morton had abducted me and held me captive. I told him about my escape and how I later shot Morton and why. Then I had a rant about the way Kawasaki had treated me.

  "Calm down, T. J.," Mike said. "I'll be there in the morning with Oshiro, and we will run interference for you with Maui County PD."

  "Why is Oshiro coming with you?" I said. "For fuck's sake, Mike, she hates me. Likely she will help Kawasaki lock me up and toss away the key."

  "You're upset, T. J., Oshiro is my partner. It's her case too. She doesn't hate you."

  "Yep, she does," I said. "It occurred to me that she hates me because she has a thing for you and she's jealous."

  "She doesn't have a thing for me," Mike said. "That's silly."

  "No, it isn't silly," I said. "I've seen the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is watching. And I've experienced the way she behaves to me when you and I are in the same place. She sees me as a threat."

  "Oshiro is my partner, period," Mike said. "She has never come on to me, and I've never looked at her as a potential date."

  "It doesn't work that way," I said. "We don't throw ourselves at a man that catches our interest. We show our interest and then wait to see if he reci
procates. You must have missed the signs, that's all. Trust me, Oshiro has a crush on you."

  "Well, I'm only interested in you T. J., so there isn't a problem," Mike said. "You've had a stressful experience and you need to get some rest. I'll be there in the morning, and I'll take care of everything with Kawasaki."

  "Ahkay, Mike," I said. "Could be you're right about most of it. But, I'm right about Oshiro having designs on you. It isn't normal for me to need rescuing, but in this case, I'll be happy to see you tomorrow."

  We said goodnight, even though it was now early morning. After we disconnected from the call, I rushed to the bar to meet Jackie. She was already two drinks up on me when I arrived.

  "What did he say?" Jackie said.

  "He and his partner will be here in the morning," I said. "He said he will sort things with Kawasaki so with luck we can return to Honolulu tomorrow."

  "It isn't so bad here as long as the cops leave us alone," Jackie said.

  "Yep, but I'll feel so much better if we can get off this bloody island with the money tomorrow," I said. "I have a bad feeling about Kawasaki."

  "Everything should be better tomorrow," Jackie said.

  We had our drinks, and I told Jackie all about my budding romance with Mike Young. We were both well on our way to a proper drunk by the time the staff evicted us from the bar at closing time.

  Chapter 29

  MIKE YOUNG AND HIS partner Oshiro arrived in Lanai City the following morning. Both accompanied Jackie and me to the Maui County Police Department-Lanai. That's where we were meant to give our official statements.

  We gave our videotaped statements to Detective Kawasaki. A Maui County assistant district attorney also attended. Kawasaki was a bit less brusque than he had been the night before. I assumed that was due to Mike's influence. The experience wasn't at all unpleasant. At the end of it, the ADA told Jackie and me that we were free to return to Honolulu. But, he said we'd need to come back for the court hearing about Adam Morton's death when the court scheduled it.

  Mike and Oshiro had already concluded their business with Detective Kawasaki. They had flown to Lanai on an HPD helicopter. Jackie told them that they were welcome to hitch a ride back. Otherwise, they faced waiting for the HPD chopper to return for them. They were happy to accept her offer.

  I drove us all back to the hire car agency and returned the Jeep. The agency driver then drove us to the airport. After completing her pre-flight checks, Jackie announced we were ready to depart. I got in back with Mike and Oshiro rode up front with Jackie. It was obvious to me that Oshiro was a bit miffed over the seating arrangements.

  Jackie had outfitted us all with headsets. But, given the lack of privacy the conversation on the way back to Oahu was only small talk. Oshiro didn't speak at all during the flight. On our arrival at John Rogers Field, an HPD cruiser picked up Mike and Oshiro. Mike said he'd call me later before he left.

  Jackie and I said our goodbyes after organizing a get together for a catch up later on the weekend. I rode the motorbike back to my hotel on Waikiki. I reckoned I had to turn the motorbike back and get one of my own soon since I was staying in Honolulu.

  After arriving at the hotel, I was keen for a swim in the sea. With the case done, it was well past the time for me to start enjoying Hawaii. But there was the small matter of nine unanswered phone calls from Malone to be dealt with. In the last few voicemail messages, Malone had sounded a bit out of sorts with me. I didn't know why, but I dreaded telling Malone I wasn't coming back to LA. But to be fair, he deserved to know. I decided to pull up my big girl undies and make the call. I rang his mobile, and he answered straight away.

  "How's it going?" I said.

  "Well, hello stranger," Malone said. "I was just about to call HPD and make a missing person report."

  "Yeah, nah, that won't be necessary," I said. "I'm all good thanks."

  "Why didn't you return my calls? I was worried sick."

  "Yep, so sorry about that," I said. "It's been a bit mad here. I've been all over the show."

  "I expected you back after you told me about Douglas," Malone said. "I considered the case was over at that point."

  I filled Malone in on the murders of Shaw's wife and daughter, and the theft of the ransom money. I explained how I'd felt responsible for finding Adam Morton and getting Shaw's money back. It had been something I felt was the right thing to do. Then I told Malone how things had come to an end.

  "I can understand why you felt you needed to see things through to the end," Malone said. "But none of that was part of the case we agreed to take on. Not to mention I've been in contact with Douglas' attorney. He says it's unlikely the state will pay us for the casework Douglas hired us to do."

  "Yep, no worries on that bit," I said. "Have Rhonda email me a statement for what we're owed. I'll see to it that a check is dispatched to the office straight away."

  "How do you intend to do that?"

  "I've already sorted it," I said. The State of Hawaii is getting Shaw's estate since he has no heirs. I've been in touch with a representative there. I reminded him of the state's responsibility to pay our fees as Shaw's heir."

  "Then it seems the extra time you've spent there has been useful after all," Malone said. "When can I expect you back in LA?"

  "About that, Ben, I won't be returning," I said. "I've decided to stay on here and am applying for Hawaii PI license. I'll be opening my own agency."

  "Staying there? But why? T. J. I thought we have made a great team. In fact, when you got back, I was planning on offering you a partnership."

  "That's so awesome of you," I said. "I do appreciate that as well as all you've done for me, but I have to do this for me."

  "I never knew you were unhappy in LA?" Malone said.

  "It wasn't that I was unhappy. It's seemed my life has been on hold ever since I lost David. I reckon it would be good for me to make a new start in a new place. Hawaii seems a good place for it."

  "What about your house here and your belongings? Aren't you at least coming back to settle your affairs?"

  "Nah, I'm not," I said. "I can handle all that by phone and email I reckon. I'll settle the lease with my landlord. Then I'll organize a mover to pick up my things and put them in storage for now."

  "This comes as quite a shock," Malone said. "I've come to depend on you, and to count on you when I've needed help with cases."

  "Thanks for saying that," I said. "But, this is something I have to do. I hope you'll try to understand, Ben. And, if you should you need me for a case, I'm only a six-hour flight away from LA."

  "I won't pretend I'm happy about it, but I do think I understand," Malone said. "So, best of luck T. J., and you know you can always call me if you ever need anything."

  "Thanks for that, Ben," I said. "I have to go now. I have so much to get sorted. Your friendship has always meant heaps to me, and always will. Take good care, and say hello to Jaime for me when you see him."

  "Okay, T. J., guess it's goodbye until I see you again," Malone said.

  "See you," I said. We disconnected from the call.

  I dabbed at the tears with my fingers. It had been harder to say goodbye than I'd even expected. But to be fair, I knew it would be hard which is why I'd put off calling Malone. Still, it was a relief to have it behind me. Now, I could concentrate on building my new life in Honolulu. I wasn't at all certain my feelings for Malone would ever change. But, it seemed living 4,000 kilometers away from him, and not having to see him almost daily would be a bit easier.

  After getting undressed, I put on my togs and sarong. I grabbed my sunnies and a beach towel and was about to walk out the door when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw it was Mike, so I answered.

  "How's it going?" I said.

  "Great, just wanted to see what you were up to," Mike said.

  "I'm about to pop down to the beach for a swim," I said.

  "Sounds terrific," Mike said. "I also was calling to see if we were still on for dinner tonight." />
  "Sure we are," I said. "I hadn't forgotten."

  "Pick you up at seven?"

  "Yep, perfect," I said, "I'll be waiting for you in the lobby."

  "Okay, see you then," Mike said.

  "See you."

  I tossed the phone on the bed and left the room for the beach. It was an awesome sunny day. I had a swim and then relaxed on the beach. It was time to work on a long-delayed tan. As I lounged about in the Hawaiian sunshine, I tried to work through some of the issues from the last couple of weeks. As far as the money went, I couldn't say I felt guilty for taking it, actually.

  The case had been a mare's nest. I felt I deserved to be well paid for the time I'd spent on it. I'd not only done what Shaw had hired me to do, but I'd also taken care of the man who had killed his wife and daughter. To be fair, it could be argued almost $250,000 was a bit more than I deserved.

  On the other foot, I was putting the money to good use. I was helping Jackie, and Malone was getting paid. Of course, I had made up the story about the state paying him for Shaw's case. I'd be paying it from Shaw's money. I had also incurred the medical bills. I was responsible for paying the hotel bill that Shaw meant to pay. I couldn't imagine the Hawaiian politicians would have found a better use for the money. And, it had to be said that the state was already getting a windfall in the form of Shaw's entire estate. Mike had told me that he'd heard that Shaw had been worth at least a couple of billion. I reckoned I could only be trying to rationalize it all, but no I wasn't going to feel guilty about the money.

  The other thing I thought about was Mike. I intended to give him a fair chance. He wasn't some sort of consolation prize. Mike wasn't Ben, but he was a good and decent man in his own right. I saw some potential there for a lasting relationship. I supposed time would tell if I was right about it.

  I also thought about Jackie and how happy I was that we had met. She was a cool chick, and I knew we were on the way to building a solid friendship. Having a man I liked, and a new friend already seemed to bode well for my decision about moving to Hawaii.