Black Sands

by Colleen Coble

  The noticeable stillness made him think no one was here. He turned as Annie joined him. “Did he say where he’d be?”

  She shook her head and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Tomi!”

  Mano hid his grin. Her tone said, Don’t mess around. She was like one of the Hawaiian hens calling to her chick. “It doesn’t feel like anyone is here.”

  “He said he’d be here.” She advanced across the fine golden sand toward the water. “You check out the open-air buildings. I’ll look around the hale.”

  “Okay, Mom,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. “Sorry, I’m being bossy, aren’t I? Tomi hates it too.”

  “I didn’t say I hated it. I like your spunk.”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “Nothing usually gets done unless I do it. You have a better idea?”

  “Nope. Lead on, kahuna. ”

  She chuckled. “I’m not wise. But I want to find my brother and sister, though I might wring both their necks when I do.”

  Examining her face in the last rays of the fading sunshine, Mano saw only love and commitment. Annie was one of those people who gave her whole heart to her family. He wondered what it would be like to be the center of her world.

  Ten

  The soft sand underfoot muffled their steps. It was almost sunset, and the coconut trees had a golden glow as they swayed over the beach. Sea turtles munched near the canoe landing. Though the surroundings should have soothed her, Annie’s nerves were on full alert.

  Only birds called from the trees. The deserted beach took her aback. This time of day, people usually hung around to watch the sunset, but Mano’s car was the only vehicle in the lot. They passed the reconstructed Hale-o-Keawe, a kind of mausoleum that originally contained the bones of twelve chiefs. Bones were considered to have manu, or supernatural power. The thatched structure was surrounded by a stick fence, and several ki’i stood guard. The fierce faces on the wooden statues added to Annie’s sense of unease. A few full-scale models of ancient houses and temples surrounded the mausoleum. Tomi could be in any one of them.

  “Tomi!” Annie shouted again. The loudness of her voice felt out of place on the sacred grounds.

  Mano seemed at ease. “Have you ever seen the lava tube just past the caves with the bones?”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t come here often.”

  “Me, Bane, and Kaia used to run through the lava tube and jump off into the water below. That’s how I got this.” He pointed to a faint scar on his forehead. “The ceiling in the lava tube is shorter than you think. I’ll have to show you sometime.”

  He almost acted like he was enjoying being with her, but she knew better than to let herself hope. The glamorous type like Leilani was more his style. But how she wished it were different. She limped toward the water.

  Mano turned back to the mausoleum. “Maybe he walked here. Let’s check inside.”

  Annie didn’t want to go in there. She knew she was being silly, but chicken skin prickled her back. She forced her feet to move forward, to follow Mano. He must have sensed her trepidation, because he stopped and took her hand. His warm fingers closed around hers, and the shock stiffened her backbone and strengthened her courage. She squeezed his hand. “Mahalo,” she whispered.

  He smiled. They walked toward the mausoleum again. “I don’t like this,” she muttered.

  “Me neither. It feels wrong. Probably nerves. I’ve never been here when there weren’t half a dozen tourists gawking.” He gave her fingers another gentle squeeze. They reached the door to the Hale-o-Keawe. Mano tried the door, but it was locked. “He must not be in there.” He looked behind him toward the canoe landing and frowned. “Someone is paddling ashore. Maybe it’s Tomi.”

  Annie jerked around. The sun was in her eyes, and all she could see was golden light bathing the water. She squinted and shaded her eyes with her hand. “I can’t tell.” She pulled her hand from his and ran toward the landing.

  “Annie, wait!”

  She ignored Mano’s call and flew across the sand. Her feet sank, and the sand sucked at her boots. In her hurry, she stepped in the water rather than balancing on the rocks that thrust up out of the sand. Waves surged over the tops of her boots and washed sand inside. She reached the rocky landing just seconds before Mano grabbed her arm. She shook him off and turned eagerly into the fading sun. The sound of the kayak’s paddles swished through the water and mingled with the static of the surf.

  The boat scraped bottom. Mano sprinted forward to grab hold of the kayak while Annie stared into the face of the man in the boat. Her brother, Tomi. He had their father’s build—slim with long thin muscles. He’d evidently given up trying to grow the sparse mustache, because his face was smooth now. She noted his black hair needed a trim. Dressed in khaki shorts and a T-shirt, he really was there in the flesh.

  Her lips parted, but no words emerged. Her gaze locked with Tomi’s. His impish grin seemed tentative, as though he was waiting for her to chew him out, but all she wanted to do was run her fingers over his face and touch him to assure herself he was really alive.

  She ran forward, her feet slipping on the volcanic rock under the water. “Tomi?” she croaked before her throat closed, and she couldn’t utter another word. The brother she thought dead was standing there in the twilight. He was thinner than she remembered, probably by twenty pounds at least. He wriggled out of the kayak and stepped into her arms. She buried her face against his chest. He smelled faintly of perspiration and sea salt. But he was real, oh so real. No figment of her imagination, no dream, no spirit. Though her communion with God had been nonexistent lately, thankfulness welled up inside her.

  Tomi held her tightly. Mano stepped away to give them privacy. His chin rested on the top of her head. His chest rumbled under her ear, and she realized he was laughing. She lifted her head and stared up at him. “What’s so funny?”

  “I never thought I’d see my levelheaded little sister show such emotion. I’m usually just told what to do.” His dark eyes were amused but held a trace of tenderness that softened his words.

  “Is that how you see me—a colorless, emotionless drill sergeant?” Funny how it was impossible to gauge how someone else viewed a person. If someone had asked her, she would have said her family thought of her as the strong one who made sure things got done. They should have realized she loved them more than life itself. Hadn’t she devoted herself completely to her family? She’d chosen the career her father wanted, let Leilani outshine her at every turn, and catered to Tomi’s whims without a murmur.

  “Sorry, sis. I didn’t mean it that way.” He dropped his arms and stepped around her out of the water that lapped at their ankles.

  She glanced into his face. “Leilani didn’t come with you?”

  He went still. “I haven’t seen Leilani in more than a year, Annie. I told Mano she wasn’t with me.”

  A weight descended onto Annie’s chest, and she couldn’t speak. Her fingers clutched at Tomi’s shirt. She’d pinned her hopes on finding both her siblings tonight. “Your cell phone cut out, and he didn’t understand what you said.”

  “I had no idea what he was talking about.”

  “Where could she be?” she whispered. “She hasn’t been seen since Thursday.” Her gaze searched her brother’s face.

  Tomi’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know, but she’ll have to answer to me when we find her. She knows better than to worry everyone.”

  “What if something’s happened to her?”

  “You know how thoughtless she is. She’ll turn up.”

  “We have to find her.”

  “We will. I’ve got problems too, though.” He went toward the buildings, where Mano waited.

  She followed him as he approached Mano. Her steps slowed when she saw the two men facing one another. Mano’s fists were clenched at his side, and his jaw was so tight she expected a growl to emanate from his teeth.

  Annie joined them. She put her hand on Mano’s arm and found it hard and
tense.

  Mano didn’t seem to realize she was there. “I think we’re due an explanation,” he said tightly.

  “Leilani isn’t with him,” Annie murmured. Mano cast a quick glance her way, and she felt his tension ease.

  “I’m sorry. I know you were hoping to find her too.” He focused his gaze on Tomi again. “We’re still waiting on your explanation. Where have you been all this time? Why did you let us think you were dead?”

  Tomi’s smile faltered. “I’d rather explain it to all of you at once. Let’s wait until we get home and have Father there too. Did you bring the bankbook?”

  “I have it in the car,” Annie said. “In my handbag.” She bit her lip at the quick glance Mano threw her way. She hadn’t told him Tomi told her to bring it. “I’ll go get it.”

  “We’ll all go.” Tomi held her hand, and they walked in step toward the parking lot with Mano trailing behind.

  “You’re limping,” Tomi said. “Are you okay?”

  “Just a little accident.” She’d tell him later. She could sense Mano seething, and her own emotions boiled with a mixture of elation, despair, and puzzlement. Tomi didn’t seem eager to explain what was going on. But the pain in his eyes tugged at her heart. Though he was older, she’d always taken care of his every need. She wanted to soothe away the little-boy-lost look in his face. She itched to get him home and fix him something to eat. He needed fattening up. She’d worry about Leilani later.

  They reached the parking lot. “I’ll get my handbag.” She went to the passenger side. The window was shattered, and tiny bits of glass lay on her seat. “Mano,” she said in a faltering voice. “My handbag is gone.”

  He joined her. “We should have locked it in the trunk.” He stooped and peered inside. “Doesn’t look like anything else is missing. All my CDs are here.”

  Tomi pounded on the trunk lid. “No! Why did you leave it in the car?” The color had drained from his face. “I was counting on you, Annie.”

  Annie had never seen her brother scared, but she saw fear in the perspiration on his forehead and in the way his Adam’s apple bobbed. His fear terrified her as well. “What’s wrong, Tomi? What kind of trouble have you gotten into?”

  Tomi managed a smile that held a trace of his usual bravado. “We have to get that bankbook back. Then things will be fine.”

  “Can’t you just call the bank and freeze the account?” Mano put in. “You’re making this harder than it has to be.”

  Tomi sighed. “You don’t get it, do you, buddy? I can’t just waltz into the bank. I’ll be shot before I get to the front of the line.”

  Shot. What was Tomi into? Annie was almost afraid to know. “I’ll call Sam. We need help.”

  “No!” Tomi shook his head. “No cops. You’re going to have to help me.”

  There was so much he wasn’t saying. “You’re scaring me,” she whispered. “What about that money, Tomi? How did you get it?”

  He glanced around. “We have to get out of here. We’re too exposed.”

  Annie began to panic. “What can we do?”

  Tomi rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know, I don’t know.” He stared at her. “Help me, Annie. I don’t know what to do.”

  Annie pressed her fingers to her throbbing head. “Let me think.” His expression paled as he watched her anxiously. “They won’t be looking for a woman,” Annie said. “Mother has an old wig in the garage. You could dress like a woman.”

  “They’ll be looking for disguises.” Tomi’s eyes narrowed. “But not two women. You have to go with me.”

  “Don’t involve Annie in your messes,” Mano interrupted. His dark eyes held deep worry.

  “He needs my help,” Annie said.

  Tomi nodded. “Right, and it’s her fault the bankbook is missing. Besides, no one will recognize us. It’s a perfect plan.” He frowned. “But we have to move fast before the thief gets my money. The bank is closed tonight, but I need to be there when it opens in the morning.”

  “Your money? It sounds like it belongs to someone else—and they want it back,” Mano put in.

  “Not exactly.” Tomi chewed on his lip. “Come on, let’s go.” He reached through the broken window and unlocked the back door. He opened it and got in.

  Annie opened the passenger door and started to sweep the glass bits from the seat.

  “Don’t do that,” Mano said. “You’ll get cut.” He gently moved her out of the way and grabbed a CD holder from the floor and used it to scrape at the glass. “Why don’t you sit in the back with your brother? I’m sure you want to touch him and make sure he’s real.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I know sisters. That’s what Kaia would want to do.” He grinned down at her, then opened the back door and let her slip in beside Tomi.

  Annie laced her fingers through her brother’s as they drove back toward Pahala. “Some of our mother’s clothes might fit you,” Annie said. “There are some in the garage with that wig.”

  “I always knew your practicality would come in handy,” Tomi said, squeezing her hand.

  Annie closed her eyes. Bossy, levelheaded, practical. She was learning more and more about herself all the time, and she wasn’t liking what she was discovering. Did everyone see her the same way? No wonder men weren’t interested. Her gaze went to Mano. She’d never attract someone like him.

  “You’re quiet,” Tomi said. “Are you mad at me?”

  “Just trying to take it all in,” she said. “Why did you let us think you were dead?”

  “Ah, Annie, I’m sorry. I was stupid. I’ll explain when we get home.” He sounded unutterably sad and weary.

  “And about Leilani? Where is she? Tell me the truth, Tomi,” she said. “Where is our sister? Has something happened to her? Did you get her involved in something?”

  “I swear I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since I left here.” He fell silent, then shifted. “You haven’t gotten a call demanding money for her release, right? So it’s not about a ransom.”

  “No call. Is that good or bad, Tomi? Does this involve you and the money?”

  “I don’t think so. I hope not.” He wasn’t meeting her gaze. “Have you talked to her friends?”

  “Not yet. We thought the police could handle it, and then we thought she might be with you. We were going to go see CeCe and then you phoned.”

  Mano’s voice spoke out of the darkness. “Annie got a call that said you’d brought this on your family.”

  She heard Tomi gasp. He lurched away from her. “Dear God, help us all,” he whispered. “What have I done?”

  Annie wanted to huddle in the corner and let someone else take care of this. She wanted her mother to come back and save them all. But she would have to find the strength to protect her family on her own. The force of circumstances had begun to grind away the old shell around her, the mask she’d worn all her life, like lava pounded into sand by the force of the waves. She might never be the same again.

  Eleven

  Athousand thoughts ran through Mano’s head. Tomi had always been a free spirit, ready for an adventure. That was part of his infectious charm. And Mano was always right there beside him. Until now. Mano’s mistake, which he believed had cost a friend his life, dampened Mano’s adventurous spirit. Finding out that Tomi was alive and well had relieved his guilt but deepened his sense that life wasn’t only about fun and adventure.

  He glanced in the rearview mirror to see Annie with her forehead pressed against Tomi’s arm. She was going to think she had to fix this, even if it was more than she was capable of doing. He dragged his attention back to his driving and pulled into the Tagama’s driveway. Light spilled from the garage windows, but the house was dark.

  “Good, looks like Pop is hard at work. How’s his research coming?” Tomi sounded distracted.

  “Fine. He says it’s ready to publish.” Annie turned in the seat. “What is going on? My head is in a whirl. I want to know what you’ve done, Tomi. I can’t make it r
ight if I don’t know what it is.”

  Tomi shifted in the darkness of the backseat. “I don’t think you can fix it anyway, sis.”

  Mano didn’t like the sound of that. Tomi had returned for a reason, but he didn’t seem eager to give them any answers. If Mano had to ferret out the truth without Tomi’s help, then that’s what he’d do. He had to know for his own peace of mind. Living with the images of Tomi’s white face in the water had haunted his dreams for months.

  He turned off the car and then glanced at the clock on the dash. It was time for him to eat something. He leaned over and extracted a protein bar from the glove box. “Anyone want one?” he asked.

  Tomi and Annie shook their heads. “Let me tell Father you’re here,” Annie said. She opened her door.

  “Wait, I want to surprise him.” Tomi hopped out with her.

  Annie hesitated, then smiled. “He’ll be glad to see you. We were both afraid to hope what Mano had said was really true.”

  Her brother slung his arm around her, and they walked toward the house. Mano swallowed the snack in two bites and followed. He had to hear this, even if he might not like what Tomi was about to reveal. Annie reached the outside door and stopped. She was staring at the door, which hung on only one hinge. A large hole had been busted through by the doorknob.

  Mano shouldered past her and stepped inside. “Edega?” he called. The chair at the table had a broken leg and lay upside down, but the rest of the office didn’t seem to be disturbed. The door to the house stood open.

  “Father?” Annie ran past him. Her head whipped from side to side as she tried to spot her father.

  “Go with her,” Mano told Tomi. Tomi nodded and followed. Mano began to search behind filing cabinets and under tables, but there was no sign of Edega Tagama.

  Tomi came back out a few minutes later. “The house has been ransacked. I bet they were looking for the bankbook. Or for me. No sign of Pop, though.”

  Annie clutched her hands together. “Maybe he wasn’t here when they broke in.”