Murder and a Blue Hawaii (A Blue Hawaii Mystery Book 1)

by Elizabeth Autumn

  CHAPTER SIX

  Not being able to repay his gambling debts definitely gave Micah Robinson motive for murder. If he thought that taking Bentley out of the picture would solve his problems, though, then he was dead wrong.

  I needed some hard evidence before I could prove he did it—and following him seemed like a good way to find some.

  He had stormed off just minutes prior, and had spend most of that time shouting into his phone on the sand. Micah was now unlocking his bicycle from a bike stand.

  Glancing around the mostly-empty bar, I realized that there was enough time before the nightly rush that I could take off for a little bit. I couldn’t waste this opportunity.

  “Kimo, I’m taking a break,” I called over to the bartender. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Sure thing,” he called back, sweeping up the remaining broken glass from his spill.

  Maya and Landon hopped into my green Tacoma as we tailed Micah on his beach cruiser. He was surprisingly adept at it, moving like the bicycle was a second limb. He had a decent head start, but his cruiser was no match for my fickle engine.

  I had to circle around a couple times so Micah wouldn’t notice us. Also, so that we wouldn’t surpass him.

  We finally pulled into his destination after a few narrow missed calls. I was positive Micah saw us the one time he glanced over his shoulder, but he kept cycling and acted like we were any other car.

  Maya frowned. “Why is he going to your apartment?”

  My apartment complex loomed in front of me, full of its adequately functional glory. Colton was showing a prospective client around the complex. He waved and I waved back.

  This was so ordinary.

  I came here every day and nothing exciting ever happened, unless you count the hot water shutting off sporadically.

  This was my home. What would a murderer need to do here?

  Landon grinned. “So this is where you live, Alana?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t live where he’s knocking.”

  Micah was knocking on Sophia Barber’s door, igniting the sound of a screeching bird.

  Come on, Sophia. Answer the door with a bird on your shoulder. Prove to me that you’re lying.

  I was dying to know why Sophia was hiding a bird in her place. Knowing her, it had to be a juicy story—especially because she didn’t want to tell it.

  Unfortunately, Sophia cracked open her door wide enough for me to see that she wasn’t holding a bird. She was, however, holding a pair of incredibly sharp cutting shears. The reflection from the sun practically made them sparkle.

  Micah stepped inside and Sophia shut the door before either of them said a word.

  “Come on,” I said to Maya and Landon, as I pulled my keys out of my pocket.

  I let them into my apartment. “The walls are thin,” I whispered as softly as I could.

  We all pressed an ear to the connecting wall, but it wasn’t necessary. I could hear their conversation as clearly as if they were standing in front of us.

  “If I can’t come up with the money by the end of the week, then things aren’t going to be good,” Micah was saying.

  “You’re telling me? Of course I know that! Who do you think I am?” Sophia demanded.

  “I’m not going to be able to come up with the money,” Micah groaned.

  “I’ll cut you a deal,” said Sophia. “Two weeks. Two weeks, and that’s that.”

  “That’s not a deal!” Micah shouted. “You’re not in a position to make that promise.”

  There was a heavy pause.

  “I know things about you that you wouldn’t want publicly known,” Sophia said slyly.

  “I could say the same about you,” said Micah.

  “I doubt it. I’ll do what I can,” said Sophia firmly.

  The door opened and we instinctively moved away from the window. Micah’s footsteps grew softer as he disappeared down the hallway and we looked at each other.

  “She’s blackmail—” Landon’s proclamation was cut off by Maya covering his mouth with her hand.

  “Not here,” I mouthed.

  We tiptoed out of my place and didn’t speak until we’d driven back to Blue Hawaii.

  “She’s blackmailing him!” Landon burst out as soon as he was sitting on a bar stool next to Maya. I had gone behind the bar to check in with Kimo. He gave me a thumbs up, saying that no mishaps had occurred in my absence.

  “Sophia Barber’s got him too,” I murmured.

  “Barber? As is Bentley’s sister?” asked Landon.

  Nodding, I turned to my best friend. “Maya, what do you think… Maya?”

  Maya was gazing at an open space of sand just beyond the tables, where no one was walking or building sand castles.

  “Do you think a bed made out of sand would be cozier than my bed at home?” Maya asked dreamily.

  “Go home,” I urged. “Or fall asleep here. Wherever. You’re barely awake as it is.”

  “But Natasha… we’re supposed to talk to her tonight,” said Maya.

  “I’ll talk to her myself. It’s no big deal.” I smiled. “You don’t have to micromanage everything. I’ve got it under control.”

  “Fine. I’m going.” Maya grinned sheepishly. “I’ll see you later. Landon, I’ll see you… I have no idea. Do you live here? Wait, don’t tell me. I’m too tired to remember. Write your life story on that napkin and get back to me.”

  She kept talking as she left the bar, mainly going over a mental checklist of things she had to do—for example, getting gas in her car and getting some clothes dry-cleaned.

  I shook my head. Even when exhausted, Maya was still on top of things.

  I wasn’t on top of things. I was clean, but not super organized.

  I was good at finding things, but that was mostly because I had to be. I was constantly losing things. If I had a dollar for every time I found something that I’d forgotten that I’d misplaced, then… well, I’d have enough money to pay off all my debt.

  Kimo mixed a drink for an older woman with an off-centered nose, managing not to spill anything. Bartending was a way to pay the bills for him while he attended community college and attempted to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.

  I was going to be sorry to lose him whenever he figured it out. Kimo’s light-hearted personality and eagerness to learn way out-shined his clumsiness.

  I was searching for Maya’s napkin drawing she had left behind when I realized that Landon was still sitting in front of me.

  “Landon!” I exclaimed suddenly.

  He had an amused look in his eyes. “Did you forget I was here?”

  “I was searching for the napkin and then…” I tapped my fingers on the bar, immediately regretting it. Wiping the counter with a new rag, I said, “Sometimes I get caught up with things and forget about everything else.”

  He didn’t seem bothered by it, which both relieved and surprised me. I was hard on myself for periodically losing focus. It wasn’t exactly the best trait to have.

  “Did you find it?” asked Landon curiously.

  “I… what?” I trailed off as Sophia Barber stormed into Blue Hawaii.

  Her eyes were manic and her stride was impatient. I spotted more birdseed on her shoulder and her shirt was wrinkled, like she’d slept in it.

  “Where is that conniving sneak?” she demanded.

  “Who?” I asked. “Micah hasn’t been back here since he left earlier.”

  The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. I inwardly groaned.

  I shouldn’t have said that. We were eavesdropping on Sophia for a reason!

  “Micah?” Sophia asked blankly. “No, I’m looking for a woman with no morals, a loose tongue, and the gumption to go after whatever she wants—no matter the consequences.”

  I stared at her. “No one by that description has come by today.”

  Sophia tapped her nose. “She’s got a nose like mine, if that helps.”

  My eyes widened. “K
imo! Where’s the woman you were serving the scotch to?”

  Kimo came over, holding a napkin. “She left a couple minutes ago. Also, this looked important, or maybe worrying? Anyway, I held on to it for you.”

  I grabbed the napkin and pressed it to my heart. “Thanks, Kimo.”

  I couldn’t lose any possible evidence—even a drawing that Maya could replicate.

  Not when my life was on the line.

  “Who is she?” Landon asked.

  “An inspiration to us all,” said Sophia, waving her arm out gracefully.

  He frowned. “I don’t get it.”

  “She’s the greatest loan shark there ever was.” Sophia wrinkled her nose. “In her mind, anyway. I need to have a conversation with Donna about some money that she thinks I owe her.”

  “That’s why you’re blackmailing Micah and everyone else,” I said. “You need the money—and you need it fast.”

  “Blackmail?!” Sophia exclaimed.

  “I heard you threaten to release private information if he didn’t get you the money in time.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m not saying I’m above blackmail—I’m saying that I didn’t do anything of the sort to Micah. He came after me.”

  Sophia looked between our shocked faces. “Oh, yeah. Micah was in trouble with this loan shark—who is much scarier than Bentley is—and he had until the end of this week to pay off his debts or the loan shark would come after him. Trust me, you don’t want Donna on your back.” She shuddered. “My brother was no saint, but Donna makes him look like a common criminal instead of an evil mastermind.”

  I thought Sophia was giving her brother a little too much credit, but I let it go. He was dead—what did it matter if Sophia thought he was an evil mastermind? Personally, I’d settle for just plain annoying. And frustrating. And infuriating. And… I could go on and on.

  “Seriously, though. Donna’s terrifying. You don’t want to cross her,” Sophia said.

  “How do you know her?” I asked as the image of the woman with the off-center nose popped into my head.

  Suddenly, everything made sense.

  “She’s your mother,” I said with a dawning realization.

  Landon gasped. “You don’t think that Donna killed her son, do you? That’s a drastic move.”

  Sophia put her hands on her hips. “No way. Mom’s no killer.”

  I looked at her. “I’m still not convinced that you didn’t do it.”

  “I’m the respectable one of the family,” said Sophia indignantly. “I’m a professional hair stylist.”

  I shrugged. “Who also happens to trade secrets like they’re candy.”

  A cunning smile grew on Sophia’s face. “What do you want to know? You help me track down my mother and I’ll tell you whatever you want.”

  I wanted to know about the whole bird situation. But, this case took precedence.

  “Evan Clay,” I said.

  “You’re asking me about a haole?” asked Sophia indignantly.

  I folded my arms. “So, you know him.”

  “Sure, I know a bit.” Sophia frowned. “But it won’t help you any and it might end up hurting him. Ask me about someone else.”

  “I don’t have to help you,” I said.

  Sophia remained tight-lipped about Evan. “Find Donna and I’ll answer any question about anyone else.”

  “I’ll find her if you absolve my debt,” I said.

  “I can’t do that,” said Sophia. “But if you find Donna, then there’s a good chance we can figure a way out of it. I don’t want to pay her any more than you want to pay me.”

  “Fine,” I said.

  Anything to get out of paying the ten thousand dollars.

  Besides, I had to find out if Donna killed Bentley. I didn’t trust Sophia’s assurance that she didn’t.

  The suspect list was growing.

  This was going to be more difficult than I thought—but, one way or another, I was going to find Bentley Barber’s murderer.

  Somehow.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Sophia left soon after making the “deal” with me. I wasn’t sure if it could be called a deal when she threatened to start rumors of rats in my bar if I didn’t cooperate, but at least I would get a question answered from her.

  I just had to come up with the question.

  “Sophia’s coming after you for the money now that Bentley’s dead?” asked Landon.

  “That about sums it up,” I said.

  “She stands to gain a lot with Bentley’s death,” he said thoughtfully.

  “Yeah, she…” I trailed off when I saw Detective Chang walking down the sidewalk, heading in the bar’s direction.

  There was a concrete pathway leading from Blue Hawaii to Sandy Turtle, along with a sidewalk that spread to other establishments in the area. The tables on the sand in my bar were roped off and clearly marked as part of Blue Hawaii, but the rest of the sand leading to the ocean was free for anyone to use.

  The beautiful blue sky was softening as the sun started to think about descending. Warm breezes floated past us and the intoxicating scent of the salty air enveloped us.

  My heart started pounding.

  It was an odd reaction, one that I wasn’t used to. Normally, I’d be delighted to see Henry. But today I wasn’t sure if he was here as a friend or as a detective.

  That worried me.

  Was this it? Was I about to be accused of murder?

  What if the real killer was never found? What if I end up taking the fall?

  I needed to investigate Natasha first. What if I wouldn’t get another opportunity? Looking at the time on my phone, I saw that Natasha should be at work by now.

  I had seconds to make a decision. Either I stay here and see what Henry had in store for me, or I could sneak away and ask Natasha some questions before Henry noticed me.

  It wasn’t a hard decision.

  I glanced at Landon. “Can you do me a huge favor? You see Henry Chang over there?”

  “The detective from last night?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Can you distract him while I go talk to the front desk agent real quick? She’s working now and I don’t know if I’ll get another opportunity.”

  “Sure,” Landon said easily.

  I touched his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  I had little faith in Landon’s poor small talk capabilities, but he was a salesman—he had to be able to come up with some way to keep Henry distracted.

  I dashed out of the bar before Henry looked in my direction and made it to Sandy Turtle’s lobby without incident. Fortunately, Natasha was at her desk without a line of people needing her attention.

  “Hi, Natasha,” I greeted her. “I’m Alana. We met last night. I wanted to ask you some more questions.”

  “I already told you everything I know,” she said defensively.

  How can I get her to talk to me?

  I took in her dirty blond hair, sunburned nose, and crossed arms. My gaze landed on her multi-colored fingernails. Paint leaked over onto her skin for most of them, but it didn’t seem to bother her.

  “I like your nails,” I said.

  “Thanks.” Natasha admired them. “My daughter and I had a homemade spa day. She’s only six, but she did them better than I could. I have no artistic talent.”

  Natasha touched her butterfly clip. “She painted this as well.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I said. I looked her in the eyes. “Evan Clay is under the impression that you knew Bentley Barber.”

  Natasha’s interest was piqued. “You talked to Evan, then?”

  I nodded.

  “Why don’t you ask him these questions? He’d know more than me.”

  “That’s funny,” I said. “Evan seemed to think that you knew Bentley better than he did.”

  Natasha opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words.

  “You made it sound like you knew Evan as a guest of Sandy Turtle,” I said. “But I think you two have known each other fo
r awhile.”

  Natasha brushed a strand of flyaway hair out of her face. “Maybe. I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

  “Please, Natasha,” I said. “Anything you know—no matter how small—could help. There’s a murderer loose on the island. Help me find that person so we can make Waikiki a safer place for your daughter.”

  “All right.” Natasha sighed before launching into her story. “Money’s tight for me. It’s me and Abigail, and I don’t have any help from anyone else. We do all right, but I had a bad month a little while back. I couldn’t pay the electricity bill and Abigail’s in school now. It’s harder to hide things from her. She wants to know why the lights won’t turn on and doing homework by candlelight strains her eyes.”

  Natasha wearily rubbed her eyes. “I’ve changed jobs since then and things have gotten better. The lights are always on and I’m not stressed about having enough food on the table. You have to understand, I was out of options. I couldn’t live like that anymore. I was willing to try anything.”

  I nodded. “That’s tough.”

  Natasha sighed. “I went to Bentley as a last resort. I gave him my phone—it was a recent model—and some old jewelry as collateral. When I couldn’t pay him back, Bentley decided to go through my phone and wreck my life. I, like an idiot, didn’t have a password or anything else protecting my phone.

  “Bentley texted my ex, Abigail’s father, hoping to stir things up. He pretended to be me and when Duncan didn’t buy it, Bentley told Duncan who he was.”

  Tears threatened to fall from Natasha’s pained eyes. “Bentley asked Duncan if a person who had to stoop to using a loan shark was fit to be a mother. He said all these horrible things about me. I know because Duncan found me and showed me the messages.”

  “That’s horrible,” I said.

  A small smile crossed Natasha’s face. “It didn’t end up as Bentley had hoped. Duncan and I started talking again and communicating better. Bentley woke Duncan up to the gravity of his situation. He’s started stepping up with Abigail. Now, he regularly sees her and we all get along reasonably well. My stupid mistake made our lives better.”

  “I’m happy for you,” I said.

  “Does that help you?” she asked with concern.