4 Maui Macadamia Madness

by Cynthia Hickey

  I chewed the French tip of my pinkie nail. I would have answered, if anyone asked, that Susan’s partner in crime was David. Was he really just an acquaintance? A boyfriend? What about Manano? So many questions.

  If Susan was my murderer, and it was way too early in the game to tell, what was her motive? I leaned against the stall wall, then realized I hadn’t made any ‘bathroom’ noises. I flushed the toilet.

  When her door opened, I held my breath and shrank back, almost tempted to put my feet on the toilet seat.

  “I’ll talk to you later. Meet me tonight in the usual place.”

  Once I knew for sure she had left, I ventured from my hiding place. If she wasn’t talking about offing someone, then what was she talking about? Her conversation sounded highly suspect, given the recent circumstances. Maybe I needed to check what type of vehicle she rode in to Lahaina.

  Her giggle reached me before I stepped on the patio. She batted eyelashes at Ethan, one hand on her white cotton short-covered hip. April glared at her. Joe stared impassively. Ethan looked like a deer caught in headlights.

  I slipped past her and into my seat where I leaned on Ethan’s shoulder. “Hello, Susan.”

  “Summer.” Her smile faded, and her eyes narrowed. She glanced over her shoulder at the building, most likely trying to determine whether I was the other person in the ladies room. I lifted my chin. So what. She didn’t own the toilet facilities.

  “What brings you to Lahaina?” I rested my chin on Ethan’s shoulder. His arm snaked around my waist.

  “Vacation.” With a flick of her hair, she stormed back to her table, murmured something to David, who glowered, then the two left without ordering food.

  I shrugged. No skin off my teeth. I picked my menu back up and decided on a tropical salad and glass of iced tea.

  “Learn anything on your snooping expedition?” Joe asked.

  “Maybe.” I grinned at each of them. “Seems Susan is a bit upset about how something was handled and that the same something could have been handled better considering they are on an island.”

  “That’s it?” He reached for his glass of water.

  “For now.” With today’s sleuthing finished, I could enjoy the rest of our time in Lahaina, even if I did have my bulldog of a cousin helping Ethan guard me. “I took it to mean there were better ways of poisoning someone. Like a water-related death, possibly.”

  “We don’t even know if Susan is behind Jamison’s death. Also, she isn’t the only guest at the bed and breakfast. We also don’t—”

  I held up a hand to stop him. “There’s a lot we don’t know, but it’s a start.” He sure could bust my bubble faster than anyone. But I had proved my nay-saying cousin wrong three times before, and would do it again. I just needed to bide my time and keep my eyes and ears open. “After we eat, I’d like to visit that gallery across the street.”

  ###

  By that evening, I was sunburned and happy, languishing on my patio, feet up and a pineapple drink in my hand with the handsomest man in Hawaii while the scent of salt water and seaweed teased my nostrils. This was the life!

  The art gallery had filled my mind with beauty that almost rivaled the ocean view I gazed on now. Ethan had even been a sweetheart and handed over a few hundred dollars on a tropical painting by a local artist. I couldn’t wait to see it displayed in our bedroom back home. I was going to redecorate the room to be a romantic tropical sanctuary.

  I took a sip of my drink and puckered at its tartness. “Isn’t God’s creation glorious?”

  A mauve and purple sky stretched across an indigo ocean. Outlines of palm trees stood in stark contrast to the sky. I couldn’t believe this was our third night on the island.

  Ethan dozed beside me. I transferred my attention back to the water where a couple strolled along the beach. As hissed whispers drifted my way, it occurred to me that they stormed along the water’s edge rather than strolled. I narrowed my eyes. It looked to me as if the couple were the other newlyweds, Bruce and Maryann Franklin. I hadn’t seen much of them, but if body language was any indication, it appeared as if the honeymoon rode on stormy waves.

  When Bruce grabbed Maryann by the arm, Ethan stirred. “I’m watching. Don’t let on. I want to see if I need to butt in.”

  “You shouldn’t have done that!” Maryann’s voice rose on the breeze. “The man didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Stay out of what doesn’t concern you.” Bruce faced the ocean.

  “Look at me when I’m talking to you.” She put a hand on his arm.

  He shrugged free and whirled around, putting his hands on Maryann’s shoulders. “If you don’t stay out of what doesn’t concern you, I can’t be responsible for the consequences.”

  Ethan shifted.

  My gentle giant didn’t rile easily, but when he did, watch out world. I prayed Bruce wouldn’t do anything that signified harm to Maryann. Ethan wasn’t the type to sit back while a man mistreated a woman. Me, on the other hand, sipped harder through my straw and kept my gaze glued to the drama unfolding. Of course, if Bruce showed too much aggression toward Maryann, I would be right there on the beach next to Ethan.

  Maryann raised her hand to strike.

  Bruce took her two in his.

  “I’m getting uncomfortable.” Ethan stretched then took my hand. “I think it’s time for a stroll of our own.”

  I set my drink on the small glass-topped table and slipped my feet into flip-flops. “Good idea. If they know there’s an audience, they won’t fight.”

  “That’s the plan.” He tucked my arm close to his side and led me off a ways then doubled back.

  My sneaky fella. Didn’t want them to know we were watching.

  They pulled apart as we neared.

  “Hey, you two.” Ethan held out his hand to Bruce. “How’s the honeymoon?”

  “Wonderful.” Bruce’s grin looked more like a grimace as he returned Ethan’s shake.

  Maryann crossed her arms and ignored us to the point of walking off and moving into the water.

  I shrugged. When I was upset, I didn’t want anyone bothering me either, but while the guys talked about whatever guys talked about, I watched her. She hadn’t even kicked off her shoes. I frowned. Something was definitely not right.

  “Maryann.” I kicked off my flip-slops, the sand cool on the soles of my feet, and hoisted my sundress above my knees. The wind picked up, whipping my hair into my eyes. “Plan on swimming in the dark?”

  “Go away, Mrs. Banning.”

  “You can call me Summer. We’re around the same age.”

  “I said go away.” Soon she had progressed to the point where the water reached her armpits.

  “Seriously, Maryann, this isn’t wise.” I’d heard of sharks, barracudas, and … piranhas didn’t live in these waters, did they? I tried peering through the dark water. Maybe I should have done more research.

  Where did she go? I dropped my dress and splashed. “Maryann!” I couldn’t see her anywhere. “Ethan! Bruce!”

  Fierce splashing sounded behind me.

  “I was talking to her one minute, the next, she was gone.” Tears clogged my throat. She couldn’t drown that fast, could she?

  “Wait. I see her.” Ethan dove under the water.

  “Where?” Bruce shoved water aside. “Maryann! Don’t do this to me.”

  “Do what?” I grabbed his arm.

  He yanked free. “Kill herself.”

  Chapter Eight

  Ethan dragged a sputtering Maryann to the surface. She fought to free herself, raining punches on his head and shoulders that didn’t appear to have much significance. With a firm jaw, he sloshed toward shore. I moved deeper to help him but Bruce shoved past and pulled her from Ethan’s arms.

  “What were you thinking?” He cradled her close. “Are you that upset over something that can’t be undone?” He splashed his way to shore and set her on her feet.

  Ethan took my hand in his and led me to dry ground. We watched as B
ruce covered Maryann’s face with kisses. Already the wind was drying my skirt into salty stiffness. Sand clung to my feet.

  “I’ll take care of it. No one will know. I’ll hide the evidence,” Bruce promised.

  I glanced up at Ethan. My list of suspects grew longer with each day. Susan and David spoke about ‘other ways’ and the Franklins about hiding evidence. In what kind of place had Ethan and I chosen to spend our honeymoon? I almost believed Joe was right in saying that trouble followed me like a fat boy after an ice cream cone.

  Lights soon flickered on in the cottages and guests converged on the beach. Mrs. Wahine strolled among them, probably trying to reassure everyone that things would be okay. Mr. Wahine, accompanied by his son, Leroy, bustled their way to us.

  “What happened?” Mr. Wahine stood beside Ethan.

  “It seems as if she tried to drown herself,” Ethan said. “At least, according to her husband’s reaction.”

  “One more thing to put a disparaging light on the B & B.” Leroy crossed his arms. “First Mr. Jamison, and now this.”

  I frowned. “That’s a horrible way of looking at it. One person is dead and another almost.” How selfish could one young man be?

  “Stay out of things that don’t concern you.” He glared. “This is my future we’re talking about.”

  “That’s enough, young man.” Ethan shook his head, reverting to his high school football coach tone-of-voice. Only a fool would argue with him when he was in that mode.

  “Settle down, son.” Mr. Wahine moved to the Franklins, most likely to offer them a free night of their stay, too. If things kept happening as they were, the Wahine’s would make very little money this week.

  Money was a big motivator for murder.

  Did evil lurk behind the round, friendly faces of our hosts? But, if they killed off their guests or guests left because of unpleasant circumstances that would defeat the purpose of acquiring funds. I felt like I was in the wash cycle of a washing machine, tossing and turning with no way of straightening out the clues.

  Joe and April joined us, and I filled them in on the night’s happenings.

  “Do you think this is all related to Jamison?” I asked.

  “How could it be?” Joe shook his head. “A murder and a suicide attempt with witnesses. Not the same at all.”

  “Maybe Maryann knows something about the murder and the guilt made her want to drown herself.” Take that, bossy cousin.

  He smirked. “A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

  I loved my cousin dearly, but sometimes I wondered how he became a cop. How could you investigate a crime when you walked around with your eyes closed? It was as plain as day, these incidents were related. What were the odds of a murder and a suicide in paradise?

  “Shouldn’t someone call the police?” Mrs. Aldrich pulled a terry robe closer around her rotund middle. “Suicide is against the law, isn’t it? I think I read that somewhere.”

  Bruce cursed. “She just went for a swim. There’s no need for the police.” With his arm around his wife, he led her, tottering and sobbing, back to the cottage.

  “Looks like Summer went swimming, too.” Susan simpered. “Maybe night swims are all the rage.”

  I bit back a retort that would give me reason to repent later, and instead, smiled. “The water is wonderful. You should try it.” I lifted my chin and strode, as nonchalantly as a stiffening dress would allow, to my room.

  Ethan and the rest of the family followed. So much for a romantic evening. Everyone would want to hash over the most recent events. At this rate, Ethan and I wouldn’t have any newlywed privacy until we returned home. I slammed through the door and marched to the bathroom.

  What was wrong with me? I slipped out of my sundress and turned on the shower. Help solving a mystery was always welcome. What I resented was the timing.

  Having managed to keep myself chaste until the ripe old age of thirty, it didn’t take more than the first night to show me how much I enjoyed what transpired between a man and a woman. I didn’t like having others interfere with spontaneity.

  I sighed and stepped under the shower head, allowing the warm water to wash away the sea salt and my self-pity. The family could have one hour, then I would kick them out.

  By the time I entered the living area in my silky pajamas and robe, the others were crowded around the table with a pad of paper and a pen.

  Joe glanced up. “You’re good at making lists. Here’s what we have so far.”

  He was actually asking for my input? “Who do you have?”

  “Nobody, actually. One of us always comes up with a reason to discount them. We’re doing more arguing than work.”

  “You’re a cop.” I settled in an empty chair. “Take charge.”

  “I’m on vacation.”

  Good grief. I glanced at Ethan, who shrugged. I blew him a kiss and focused on the task at hand.

  “Put down Susan Wood and David Hatcher. Also, Bruce and Maryann Franklin. The Wahine’s—”

  “That sweet old couple?” Aunt Eunice waved away the thought. “Never.”

  Joe wrote them down.

  “Don’t forget their kids.” I chewed my pinky nail. “The maid, and Camilla Wahine. She found the body.” What about the Aldrich’s? I decided to ask some questions. “So far, everyone outside of this room is a suspect.”

  “The Wahine’s buy their nuts from a candy shop in Lahaina,” Joe said as he wrote. “Manano checked them out and thinks the nuts were clean when the Wahine’s got them.”

  “Put him down, too.” I pointed at the paper.

  “He’s a police officer.” Joe glowered.

  “A dirty one, I’d bet my next pineapple.”

  “I agree with Summer,” Ethan said, standing. “There’s something that doesn’t sit right about him. Anyone want something to drink?”

  All hands went up.

  “Six glasses of water all around.”

  Bless my husband. He knew if he handed out tasty drinks, they’d all stay forever.

  “The folks I still want to investigate are the gardener and the Aldrichs.”

  “I don’t like it. Not one bit,” Aunt Eunice said. “But you know me, I mind my own business. We’re just here for moral support.”

  I almost laughed out loud. She had been involved in all three of previous jaunts into crime solving.

  “I think you girls should let the men handle this. It’s too dangerous. Don’t forget, I got stabbed last time.” Uncle Roy lifted his tropical print shirt and showed us the scar. A raw pucker that marred his pasty-white skin.

  “That was because of an elephant, not a murderer.” I accepted the glass Ethan handed me and smiled, lifting my face for a kiss.

  He obliged and continued around the table.

  “Which of these people fit the sweats?” April took her glass and set it on the table. “Wouldn’t that rule out some of these people?”

  “That is an excellent point.” Aunt Eunice raised her hand for a high five.

  I shook my head. She forgot she was in her sixties until she tried to keep up with me. I loved her dearly and waited my turn to high-five.

  “Tomorrow, we’re going to the volcano. Are we going to watch the sunset or rise? I heard the Aldrichs say at supper that they were going up there and making a day of it.” Aunt Eunice stood. “I’ve made a point of befriending the woman. She’s a kind soul, but I’ll try to get her to talk, if you think she killed someone.”

  “She’s a suspect, Eunice,” Joe said. “Nothing more.”

  “Well, if she tries something, I’ll throw her into the fiery pit.”

  “It’s a dormant volcano.” Joe’s face reddened. “And you can’t make threats.”

  “I can say what I darn well please.” She planted her fists on her hips. “If anyone tries any funny business, I’ll give them what-for!”

  Okay. I stood and started gathering glasses. “Sounds like we’ve got a busy day ahead of us. Time to get to sleep. I seriously doubt we’ll mak
e it for sunrise.”

  “I’m too riled up to sleep, thanks to your cousin.” Aunt Eunice glared. “He does go on with his nonsense like a silly fool.”

  “Well, try anyway.” I gave her a pointed look. Could she not take a hint?

  “Oh.” She paled and grabbed Uncle Roy’s hand. “They are…you know…um…”

  “On their honeymoon.” He grinned. “I get it. Let’s go, old woman.” He kissed her cheek and ushered her out, followed by Joe and April.

  Ethan closed the door behind them and turned with a grin. “Your family is as much fun as a circus.”

  “A regular riot.” I set the glasses in the sink, grateful that we had splurged on a cabin with all the amenities in case we didn’t want to join the others for meals. I suppose it gave honeymooners the chance to practice real married life.

  Although, I doubted many of them planned on solving a murder while enjoying that so-called life.

  Chapter Nine

  I was glad we’d opted for watching the sun set instead of rise. Something about the legend of the demigod Maui lassoing the sun to make the day last longer, resonated with me far more than forcing myself to rise early. The beauty of the land invited a person to linger and enjoy God’s creation, not rush helter-skelter through the day like life on the mainland.

  “Ready?” Ethan stowed a small ice chest in the back of the van and closed the rear door. He eyed my bare legs. “I’ve heard it’s pretty chilly up there. Maybe you should wear long pants.”

  “I didn’t bring any. This is Hawaii. It’s tropical.”

  “Do you have a sweater?”

  Wasn’t he listening? Aunt Eunice, a windbreaker draped over her arm, bustled down the walk accompanied by April, who wore yoga pants with a sweater tied around her waist.

  “It gets cold up there,” Aunt Eunice said. “Flip-flops and shorts will not do according to the Wahines.”

  I sighed. “I’ve got gym shoes inside. Be right back.”

  After setting my camera on the van seat, I hurried inside the cottage and changed into a flower print maxi sundress over a white tee shirt. At least the dress would cover my legs. Then, I slipped on pink and white gym shoes which looked ridiculous with the predominantly red dress.