Death Inside Diamond Head

by Randolph Mase

  Kathy handed him the paper with the information as he dialed Walker’s number.

  “This is Walker.”

  “Tom, glad I got you!”

  “Hi, Matt. How’s vacation going?”

  “Actually, we’re managing to get some rest and relaxation in, no thanks to you.”

  “Yeah, we do have a tendency to do things like that. How’s the investigation going?”

  “That’s really why I’m calling. We’re making pretty good progress.” Hogan filled him in on the facts they had discovered, ending with the rental car. “And that’s where we need your help. Can you have this driver’s license identified?” He read the number to Walker.

  “Sure. But I probably won’t have the info until tomorrow.”

  “I expected that, given the time. Give me a call or send me an e-mail or text when you have something, okay?”

  “Will do. Until tomorrow.”

  Hogan ended the call and looked at Kathy. “Our timing is rather good. We can get some lunch, then go to Pearl Harbor to see the Arizona. When I got the tickets, I booked the narrated tour for us. The last time is 3:00, so we’re okay.”

  * * *

  When they got back to their room at the Outrigger it was almost six. Hogan took his lists and they sat at the work desk to update them. Comparing their written and mental notes, they updated the lists.

  WHAT WE KNOW.

  Victim (Justin Fisher) was found hanging upside down from a spiral staircase inside of Diamond Head, his foot stuck on one of the steps.

  He was a cop in New Rochelle for 10 years.

  Two small bags of drugs were found in his pocket, - possibly cocaine and heroin.

  Tom says Justin didn’t do drugs – he knew him well, as the went to the Academy together. His prints were on neither bag.

  Justin and his wife Lena were evidently having marital problems and were one week into a two-week vacation to revive it.

  They flew to Honolulu from JFK last Saturday and were scheduled to return to JFK a week from today.

  They were in room 1896 of the Moana Surfrider. Found 2 suitcases with Justin’s name and a smaller one with Lena’s name. Found a lot of men’s clothes but very few women’s clothes.

  WHAT WE NEED

  Verify flight info – Tracy – they got here on Hawaiian 51, arriving a week before last Saturday at 2:50 pm. Booked on Hawaiian 50 this Saturday, leaving at 3:15 pm.

  Who was the other day hiker? My height, a little heavier, muscular, blonde hair, mustache.

  What were the drugs? Were they Justin’s? – verified as cocaine and heroin. Found 2 prints on the bags, but not Justin’s

  What happened to Lena?

  Cause of death – accident? – blow to back of head killed him; now considered a homicide

  Any cars in the parking lot this morning? – Keoki – 2, toll collector and the hikers who found the body

  Check the climbability of the low point on the southern rim of the crater. – can be done, we did it

  Visit Pokapahu Place – any unusual activity there on Thursday? – one resident saw a strange car parked near his driveway, and saw a man walking toward Diamond Head Road a little after 1:00; said the man had blond hair and was muscular. He gave us a photo of the car, and it belongs to Budget Car Rental. Renter’s name is William Denison from Mamaroneck. Gave his driver’s license number to Walker, and he’ll let us know what they find.

  Kathy sat back in the chair and looked at Hogan. “We’ve made good progress.” He nodded. “Why don’t we freshen up and relax with some drinks?” she suggested.

  “You read my mind.”

  A half hour later they found a couple of seats at Duke’s bar and ordered Mai-Tais and a plate of kalua pork nachos. “I’ve heard that Duke’s version of these drinks is legendary,” Hogan said.

  Five minutes later the bartender handed the drinks to them. They both took sips and moaned their appreciation, and the bartender returned with the nachos. “These are good, too,” Hogan said as he devoured a cheese-covered nacho chip. “Pork is an interesting addition.”

  Kathy nodded her agreement. “Matt, it was really a solemn place at the Arizona Memorial, wasn’t it?”

  “It was. Even more than I expected it would be. Just to think back in history to what actually happened that day.” They sat quietly for a few minutes. “Movies like Tora, Tora, Tora and Pearl Harbor try to tell the story, but it doesn’t even come close to being there in person. I’m glad we went.”

  “Me too.”

  Once again, they sat in silence for a few minutes, then suddenly Hogan pulled something out of his pocket and placed it on the bar in front of them. “Holy shit!” he gasped quietly.

  Kathy looked at the paper on the bar; it was the photo of Justin and his wife. “What is it, Matt?”

  Hogan spoke in a quiet voice, but loud enough for Kathy to hear above the noise of the bar crowd. “Slowly and inconspicuously, look at the middle table past the other side of the bar, up against the railing.”

  Kathy looked at the table and its two patrons, then at the picture again.

  “Isn’t that Lena?”

  “Oh, my God!” Kathy said softly but with excitement in her voice. “I think it is!”

  “And take a look at the guy with her. Describe him for me.”

  Puzzled, Kathy said, “His shoulders and chest seem pretty muscular. He has a mustache and blonde hair.”

  “Sound familiar?”

  “Diamond Head! He could be the third climber!”

  “I don’t think there’s any could about it, he’s our guy!”

  “But why would they be sitting here in full view of everyone, after what we think they’ve done?”

  “Maybe a little overconfident.”

  “Overconfident?”

  “Yeah, think about it. They’re 5,000 miles from home. They don’t know anyone here. And nobody knows them.”

  Kathy nodded. “I see what you mean.”

  “Anyway, let’s take a selfie.” They turned around with their backs to the bar and Hogan lifted his cell phone for the photo, making sure the two people were in the photo. He snapped about five photos, with the couple at various stages in their conversation, holding hands on the table in one, and turned partially toward the bar in another so that their faces were clearly visible.

  “Wow, this is big!” Kathy said, with even more excitement in her voice.

  They continued with their Mai-Tais and nachos, while still keeping an eye on the couple.

  “Look, Matt, they’re getting up to leave!”

  “Okay, let’s see…”

  “I’m going over there by their table. As soon as they’re out of sight, I’ll sit at the table.”

  “Good. I’ll follow them to see where they go. Tell the bartender we’re moving, and he can have these taken over there.”

  “Okay,” she said, starting to get off the bar stool “And I’ll also protect the glasses, so nobody takes them.” Hogan looked at her questioningly. “For fingerprints.”

  “Great idea. I’m sure glad you’re here with me.”

  * * *

  Hogan got off the bar stool as the couple left their table, and followed them out of the bar and restaurant, about 25 feet behind them. He saw them walk toward the lobby and front desk, and they made a left before the registration desk toward the elevators. Hogan leaned against a wall to the left of the elevators, looking around as if he were waiting for somebody and watched them as they entered one of the elevators. “So they’re staying here,” he thought to himself. He didn’t want to be obvious, so he didn’t follow them into the elevator.

  * * *

  Meanwhile back at the bar, Kathy walked to the table where the couple had been sitting, seconds after they walked toward the door. She sat in one of the chairs and covered the glasses with their napkins, making sure not to touch the glasses with her hand. She grabbed the folder with the check and opened it. She didn’t want to write everything down and she knew she wouldn’t remember it,
so she took a picture of the check with her phone. A few minutes later, a server approached her table.

  “Good evening. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Actually, I was sitting at the bar with my friend. He left for a few minutes, but he’ll be back soon. Can you please get our drinks and meal from the bartender and bring them here?”

  “Sure.” He left and returned a minute later with the items. “Let me clear the table for you,” he said, reaching for the napkin-covered glasses.

  Kathy put her hands on the napkins. “That’s okay, please leave them. We need them for an investigation.” She showed him her HPD badge. “Do I need to talk with the manager?”

  The server shook his head. “No, that’s okay, it seems legit. Can I get you anything else?”

  “I’ll wait until my friend gets back. Thanks.” She held each glass with the napkin and placed it in a small plastic bag which she had taken from her purse. She then placed both small bags in a large plastic bag.

  * * *

  Hogan walked back into the bar a few minutes later and sat at the table across from Kathy.

  “Well?”

  “They went in the elevator, so they’re staying here.”

  “They must think they’re safe.”

  Hogan nodded. “As I said, overconfidence. I see you got the glasses. Did anyone give you a hard time?”

  “No. I showed the server my HPD badge. That’s all it took.” She took a sip of her drink, hardly able to contain her mounting excitement, to the point where she didn’t notice that the drink was a little warm and watered down. “So what’s next?”

  “Let’s finish enjoying the view. And our drinks and food.” He also took a sip of his delicious Mai-Tai. “I think we need fresh drinks.” Hogan signaled the server for two more drinks, then continued, “Tomorrow we’ll take the glasses to Keoki to see if he can come up with any prints. Then we can check with the hotel manager for information about their room location and other details. Hogan smiled at Kathy. “We’re doing great. I wouldn’t be this far along without you.”

  Chapter Seven

  The Match

  As Hogan and Kathy left their room after breakfast the next morning, his phone chimed the arrival of an e-mail. “It’s from Tom. He sent some information about the driver’s license…including a copy of it! Let’s get down to the business center and print it out.”

  Five minutes later, Hogan sat at the computer in the business center and accessed his e-mail. He opened the one from Walker. “Bingo!”

  Kathy looked over his shoulder, “That’s the guy from Duke’s!”

  Hogan nodded. “And I’ll bet it’s our third Diamond Head hiker as well.” He printed a copy of the license, then sent a quick note of thanks to Walker. “Let’s get to Keoki’s office.”

  * * *

  They found Tanaka outside of his office speaking with another detective. The detective looked up as they approached.

  “Good morning, you two!” He looked at the bag Kathy was carrying. “What’ve you got?”

  “A few things, actually. Can we go in your office?”

  Tanaka nodded and led them through the doorway, inviting them to sit in the chairs in front of his desk.

  Kathy quickly but carefully removed the plastic bags containing the glasses from the larger bag and placed them on the desk. Tanaka gave her a quizzical look. “We saw two people in Duke’s last night. They were drinking from these glasses.”

  “And?”

  “One of them was Fisher’s wife.”

  Keoki looked at Kathy, then at Hogan. “Are you sure?”

  Hogan nodded. “No mistake about it.” He took the picture of the Fishers from his pocket and placed it on the desk. Then he pulled up one of the photos he had taken the night before and set his phone on the desk. “Convinced?”

  Tanaka looked at both pictures, then at Hogan and Kathy. “Wow. Excellent work.” He looked again at the phone. “But who is the guy?”

  “We think he’s the third walk-in to the crater on Thursday. And William Denison, Lena’s lover.”

  “We’re hoping the prints on these glasses will help,” Kathy added.

  Tanaka picked up the two plastic bags. “Only one way to find out. Let’s take them to the lab right now.” He led them down the stairs to the lab and handed the bags to a young man standing at a counter on the right side of the room. “Jerry, I need a favor. A quick favor. The drinking glasses in these bags have fingerprints on them. Can you dust and run the prints?”

  “Sure, detective, I can do that. Just put them on the counter there.”

  “I mean, can you please do them while I wait? It’s really important.” Jerry looked at Hogan and Kathy. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? Jerry, this is Matt and Kathy. They’re working with me on the Diamond Head murder investigation.”

  Jerry nodded. “Good to meet you.” Turning back to Tanaka, he said, “Sure, detective. I didn’t realize the urgency.” He took the plastic bags and walked through another door to his left.

  “Now what?” asked Kathy.

  “He’s pretty quick, and accurate. My guess is he’ll be back in less than five minutes. And let me guess what you’re thinking. We should compare these prints to the ones from the bags of drugs, right?”

  Both Hogan and Kathy nodded. “We think this could be big.”

  A few minutes later, Jerry returned with the glasses back in their bags and holding a few pieces of paper. He placed everyhing on the counter. “There were three different prints on each glass, and two of them were on both glasses, probably from the bartender and the server.”

  “And the others?” Tanaka asked.

  “Right here.” Jerry took the papers and showed the prints to Tanaka, Hogan, and Kathy. “These are the other two.” The three looked closely at the prints. “And I thought you’d want to see these as well,” he continued, showing them two additional pieces of paper. “These are the prints from the bags you gave me last Friday.”

  Hogan whispered, “Yes!”

  Tanaka looked at Hogan, then Kathy. “You were wrong. This isn’t big. It’s huge!” He turned to the lab technician. “Jerry, you just solved the case for us. Thanks so much for the quick turnaround.”

  The beaming Jerry only smiled and said, “Thank you.”

  * * *

  Back at the Outrigger, Hogan and Kathy went to the front desk and asked to speak with the hotel manager, who arrived at the front desk moments later.

  “Good morning, I understand that you want to talk to me. Is there a problem?”

  “Not a problem, really,” Hogan replied. “We are guests here, and everything has been wonderful so far.” The manager smiled, nodding. Hogan and Kathy both showed their HPD badges to the woman. Her smile faded quickly.

  “What is it that you need?”

  “We’re investigating a death,” Kathy began.

  The manager looked shocked. “Here in the hotel?”

  “No,” Kathy continued. “But we think two of the suspects may be staying here.”

  “Do you want to see their room?”

  “I don’t think we need to at this point,” Kathy said, glancing at the nodding Hogan. “but we would like to verify their registration.”

  “What’s the name?”

  “The man is William Denison, and the woman is Lena Fisher.”

  After several seconds of rapid keyboard work, the manager said, “I have Mr. Denison, he’s in room 1452. But we have nothing on the woman.”

  “That makes sense,” Hogan said. “What are the dates for his reservation?”

  She looked at the computer screen. “He checked in the Saturday before last and is scheduled to check out this Saturday.”

  Hogan noted the details. “Thank you. We’ll let you know if we need anything else.”

  * * *

  As they walked into their room, Kathy’s cell phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Kathy, it’s Tracy.”

  “Hi there. You never s
top working, do you?”

  “I love it so much, it’s not work to me.”

  “Good to hear. What’s up?”

  “That couple you wanted flight info for? Well, one of the reservations has been changed.”

  “Hold on, Tracy – let me put you on speaker so Matt can hear this.” She put her phone on the desk and pressed the speaker button.

  “Hi, Tracy, this is Matt. Thanks for helping us with this trip – it’s been great! And thanks for your help in this case we’re working on.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And the case is what I’m calling about. I had put an alert on any changes to the flights for the Fishers, and I just got notification that her return flight has been moved up two days. She’s now on Hawaiian 50 on Thursday, two days from now.”

  “And his flight?” Kathy asked.

  “Unchanged. He’s still booked for Saturday.”

  Kathy looked at Hogan and both of them nodded. “Can you tell who made the change.”

  “No, the system doesn’t record that info.”

  “Tracy, can you look up one more person for us?”

  “Sure.”

  “A flight to New York from Honolulu for a William Denison.”

  They heard the fleet-fingered Tracy work the keyboard for about 20 seconds. “Got him,” she said. “He’s on the same flight, Hawaiian 50 on Thursday. They’re even seated together.”

  “Wow. That is great! Tracy, you’ll never know just how much help you’ve been. I’ll buy you dinner when we get back to New York.”

  “And I’ll take you up on that, Kathy. Enjoy what’s left of your vacation.”

  “Seated together? Overconfidence again, just like you said.” Hogan nodded. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Let’s talk about it over lunch.”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later they were sitting in The Hula Grill overlooking the pool, both enjoying refreshing Mai-Tais and sandwiches.