4 Maui Macadamia Madness

by Cynthia Hickey

  “Mr. Wahine?” I still couldn’t believe that the jovial fellow I knew had a sour side.

  She glanced around. “Be careful. Bad things happen. People die.”

  “I’ll be careful. Thank you.” Although I knew of the murders, her whispered warning sent chills down my back. Something was rotten in paradise. Everyone seemed to know more than I did, and I was staying at the place, nosing around.

  By the time we got back to our rooms to change for the beach, I was in a fine mess. The more I thought about my lack of clues, the more worked up I got. I needed a powwow with my girls. Hopefully, we could find a private spot of sand in which to hatch our plans.

  Grabbing my floppy hat, I slipped my feet into sparkly flip-flops and headed to the beach to meet the other two. Aunt Eunice and April already sat, fruit drinks in hand, in chairs by the water’s edge. I must have moped longer than I thought.

  “I got your drink.” April handed me a tall glass with a straw umbrella.

  “Thanks.” I untied my sarong, accepted the drink, and lowered myself into a vacant chair. The delectable aroma of roasting pig filled the air. “We need to talk.”

  Aunt Eunice and April exchanged alarmed looks.

  “Stop it. It isn’t that bad.” I took a sip of pineapple heaven. “We need to set up a sting operation.”

  “I do not like the sound of that,” April said.

  “I do.” Aunt Eunice leaned closer. “Explain, please.”

  “Good, because you will play a big part, because of Uncle Roy.” I thought for a moment, trying to form my idea into a plan that made sense. “Since Uncle Roy came here to look at a timeshare plan, we need the person responsible to think he is seriously considering forking over some money.”

  “Jamison is dead,” April pointed out.

  “Thank you, Sherlock.” I glared at her. “But he had a partner who isn’t. We need to find out who that partner is. So…” I dared her to interrupt again. “We’re going to leave a letter, purposely on accident, from Uncle Roy, somewhere in the hotel tonight.”

  “That’s the dumbest idea you’ve come up with yet.” April shook her head. “Anyone can find the letter.”

  “I’m thinking we let Leroy in on our little secret.”

  “How and why him?” Aunt Eunice leaned so far toward me, her chair threatened to tip.

  “Because I think the youngest Wahine knows something. We already know he’s a hothead, he smokes, he fits the photos we found.”

  “Ethan is going to have a fit.” April crossed her arms. “You’re going to get us in trouble, again.”

  “No, once we know something, we’ll tell the guys. We’ll be perfectly safe. Shh.”

  The subject of our conversation strolled by, giving me an entirely new idea. I prayed Aunt Eunice would catch on. “When does Uncle Roy intend to let the man know he has the money?”

  “What money?” Aunt Eunice settled her chair back on all its legs. “Oh, that money! He said tonight at the luau.”

  Good girl. Leroy’s steps slowed.

  “I don’t like the idea.” Oh, this was fun. “That’s y’all’s retirement fund.”

  “But Maui is the perfect place to retire.” Aunt Eunice raised her glass in a toast toward the ocean. “Other than Arkansas, there isn’t a prettier place on God’s green earth. Too bad Jamison’s dead. We know he had a partner in his business, but we aren’t sure who that person is.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

  April huffed.

  I widened my eyes, pleading for my aunt to not overdo her acting. “That’s a problem. Ethan and I might be interested in purchasing a share, too. April?”

  “I want no part of this.” She turned on her side and ignored us.

  “Some people don’t know a good thing when they see it.” I grinned at Leroy. “Hello?”

  “Ladies.” He gave us a nod and continued on his way, glancing once over his shoulder.

  I high-fived Aunt Eunice. “Bait is laid, and our fire eater is strolling this way.”

  ###

  “Roy refused to try the poi, and since you say a cigarette lighter doesn’t count as a fire eater, then I guess you win.” Ethan tossed the list on the table.

  “Wasn’t it fun, though?” I snuggled under his arm.

  He kissed the top of my head. “Yeah, it was, except for us worrying about where you women were.”

  “You shouldn’t worry so much.”

  “I can’t help it. You drive me crazy.”

  “But you love me.”

  “Yes, I do.” His chest rumbled with his chuckle. “Now, go put on that over-modest muumuu so we can go to the luau. The smell of roasting pig has me hungry.”

  I jumped up to do as he bid. Soon, we were headed to a Tiki lamp-lit beach where a small stage was erected and tables were decorated in Hawaiian finery. Pineapples filled with tropical flowers adorned the center of tables. Wicker placemats held brightly colored dishes.

  What a wonderful last Hurrah. I found it hard to believe our time on the island was almost over. In two days, we would fly home and return to our everyday lives.

  We sat and I glanced around the long table, saddened by how the number of guests had shrunk. I supposed that until the killer was found, no one was eager to rent a room at the Wahine Bed and Breakfast. Afterward, maybe the curious would flock to this part of the island. Warmth cruised through me. I didn’t know the Wahines, but as a small business owner myself, I liked to help others succeed. Maybe I could save the B & B and catch a killer at the same time.

  Our host announced dinner was served and immediately Camilla and Malia began setting plates of pork and vegetables in front of us. My stomach rumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything but the musubi at the flea market. Oh, the smell was divine.

  After dinner, we enjoyed a show of hula dancers, in which Camilla participated, and fire twirlers, one of which was Leroy. My, the Wahines were a talented bunch. Knowing that, it confused me as to how they could let their business be on the brink of selling out. I popped a chunk of fresh pineapple in my mouth. I started thinking maybe there was more to the story then any of us knew.

  “Stop staring at people.” Ethan leaned close and whispered in my ear. His breath tickled the hair at my nape and sent tingles down my spine.

  “Have you noticed that Camilla hasn’t smiled once tonight? Leroy seems his usual shifty self, but Mr. and Mrs. Wahine’s smiles seem forced.”

  “If your candy store was going under, wouldn’t you have to force a smile?” He straightened and took a sip of iced tea.

  “Well, sure, but I wouldn’t throw a party, either.” No, I’d try to come up with a way to make money and save my business. Exactly what seemed to be happening, except I would find an honest way.

  “Excuse me.” Malia appeared at my elbow. “I believe you dropped your napkin?”

  “Thanks.” My napkin was still draped across my lap, so I set the one she gave me aside. Something crinkled from its folds. As surreptitiously as I could, I peeked.

  A small square of white paper winked at me. I smiled and slid it into my hand. Pretending to scratch my shoulder blade, I slipped the note under the strap of my bra. Yes, ma’am, I was getting good at the spy technique.

  A glance at Ethan showed him engrossed in watching the guys dance and twirl fire while wearing grass skirts. To me, that was an accident waiting to happen. Exciting, yes, but dangerous all the same, and not something I would ever try.

  I couldn’t wait to get somewhere private and read the note. With it crackling against my skin every time I moved, it was bound to distract me all night.

  “Why are you so fidgety?” Ethan put a hand on my thigh.

  “I need to use the restroom.”

  He smiled. “You’re like a little kid. Hurry up.”

  I ducked into the restroom of the main building and pulled the note out of my bra. Written in red ink were the words ‘Meet me at five a.m. by the old sofa on the beach. Bring your aunt.’

  I knew Leroy must have written the note.
He was the only one who thought we were interested in a timeshare and wanted a meeting. Leaning back against the toilet tank, I bumped my head on the wall, twice.

  How was I going to get to the beach at that hour of the morning and bring Aunt Eunice?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  At four thirty the next morning, after telling Ethan that Aunt Eunice needed to talk to me about something private and urgent, I knocked on my aunt and uncle’s cottage door.

  A sleepy, very grumpy, Uncle Roy answered. “Do you know what time it is?”

  “Yes. I also know you and Aunt Eunice never sleep later than four thirty and are getting ready to have your morning coffee.” I tried to peer around him. “Can I talk to her? Privately, please.”

  “What’s wrong? I’ve never known you to get up this early.” He stepped back to let me enter.

  “I do. Sometimes. Besides, this is important girl stuff.” And time was ticking.

  “Eunice, your niece is here.”

  I grinned. Uncle Roy only called me her niece when he was perturbed with me, which fortunately wasn’t very often. This time his annoyance was rather cute.

  “Summer?” Dressed in sweats, and with her hair in disarray, Aunt Eunice stood up from the table.

  “Can I talk to you outside, please?” A glance at my watch confirmed we were running out of time. Only fifteen minutes remained for us to make our appointment.

  “Okay, but I’m bringing my coffee.” She grabbed her mug and followed me out. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, dragging me out this early.”

  “We’ll talk as we walk. Quickly, though.” I headed off at a fast pace to the shoreline as flip-flops in sand allowed.

  “Slow down. I’m spilling my coffee.”

  I stopped to face my aunt. “I got a note last night at the luau telling me to have us meet someone at the beach at five a.m. It’s almost that time now.”

  “Who?” Her eyes widened enough I could see the moon’s reflection in her pupils.

  I shrugged. “They didn’t sign it, but Malia is the one who slipped it to me.”

  “Did you tell anyone we were coming out here?” She gasped. “You didn’t! Oh, mercy, we’ll be murdered on a tropical beach and washed out to sea.”

  “Quit exaggerating. You know they would have stopped us.” I put my hands on her shoulders. “We’re so close to solving this. We can’t stop now.”

  “Oh, Roy is going to kill me.” She set her mug on a nearby table, and we quickened our pace to the designated spot with two minutes to spare.

  I eyed the filthy sofa and decided to stand. Besides, if our meeting turned dangerous, I needed to be able to run and push Aunt Eunice ahead of me.

  A shadowy form moved toward us from the direction of the hotel. I squinted.

  Yep, the same figure that walked the beach, smoking, a few nights ago. Our culprit was definitely Leroy. The young man must be smarter than we all thought, to continue with such a large scheme after Jamison’s death. A scheme to take people’s money and kill them. My mouth dried up. Leroy killed Jamison, and I was stupid enough to set up a meeting with him.

  “All of a sudden, I’m having second thoughts about being here.” I clutched my aunt’s hand.

  “Too late now.” She plastered a smile to her face, teeth gleaming. “Hello, Leroy. I had no idea you were behind this timeshare deal.”

  “I’m not.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his baggie board shorts. “Jamison was. I’m just continuing what he started. Why should I let a good, possibly profitable, deal go to waste?” He lifted his head. “You want in or not?”

  “Wait a minute.” I held up a hand. “We need a little more information. Like how much does it cost?”

  “Ten thousand dollars.”

  Mercy! With all the original guests added together, they would have made an easy $100,000. I bit my lower lip. “That’s a lot of money, and if this was on the up and up, why have us meet you under cover of darkness?”

  “My folks don’t know about it. I’m trying to save the family farm, I think is what you hillbillies say.” He squared his shoulders. “You want in or not? I don’t have all day, and I’m starting to think you’re out here fishing for information.”

  “We are fishing for information.” Aunt Eunice moved closer to him and sniffed. “Have you been smoking pot? Why else do you think we’re here?” She planted her fists on her hips. “I don’t intend to hand over that kind of money without a little more knowledge. As it is, I don’t like your attitude and will most likely not purchase your timeshare. Hmmph.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me with her, back toward the cottage.

  “What are you doing?” My aunt had gone crazy. I glanced back over my shoulder to see Leroy staring. By now, the sun had risen enough that I could see he was anything but happy.

  “You wanted a trap laid, it’s laid. If Leroy is the killer, he’ll be coming after us.”

  “Gee, thanks.” My stomach dropped three feet.

  “Don’t go anywhere alone and don’t eat anything you don’t see the Wahines eat, unless you’ve fixed it yourself.”

  “You’ve gone crazy.” Who was this person and where was my aunt? “I might get us into tough situations, but I don’t stand up and invite the killer to take a shot.”

  “You know how I get without the proper amount of caffeine.” She whirled. “Do you honestly believe that wimp of a young man killed anyone? He could barely look us in the eye.”

  “He’s the only suspect we’ve got.” She was right. I didn’t feel as if Leroy was a killer. A swindler maybe, but I didn’t think he had the guts to poison anyone or throw an electrical appliance into an old woman’s bath. “I need to look at the photos again. Maybe something will jump out at me.”

  “Better be fast. I heard there’s a tropical storm brewing. I’ve seen enough movies to know that a storm is a perfect backdrop for murder.”

  I sighed. My aunt definitely had a flair for the dramatic. After making sure she arrived safely at her cottage, I almost ran to mine. Seeing as to how we’d possibly upset Leroy, I wasn’t taking any chances being outside before the sun was fully risen.

  When I entered our rented hut, Ethan sat at the small dinette table, nursing a mug of coffee. “Everything okay with Eunice?”

  “Yeah.” I moved toward the bathroom.

  “Well?” Ethan followed me. “Aren’t you going to tell me what was so important you had to leave at four thirty?”

  I closed my eyes, keeping my back to him. I couldn’t lie any longer. “Last night, Malia handed me a note telling me and Aunt Eunice to meet Leroy by the old sofa on the beach.” I took a deep breath and turned. Ethan’s eyes smoldered. “So, I dragged her out with me. His scam costs $10,000, and we determined he might be keeping the scam going, but that he isn’t the killer.”

  “How did you determine that?” The cold tone of his voice chilled me.

  “He’s a wimp that won’t meet your eyes when talking to you.” I squeezed past him to plop on the sofa. “Aunt Eunice came to the same conclusion. Leroy doesn’t seem the murdering type.”

  “You’ve been wrong before.”

  Many times, unfortunately. “But, we’ve laid a trap we’re hoping the real killer will fall into.”

  Ethan ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not going to get angry. I’ve told you I would help you solve this, but I can’t if you sneak off without me.”

  “The note wasn’t to you.”

  “That’s not the right answer.” He fell onto the sofa next to me. “You didn’t tell me about it because you knew I wouldn’t allow you to go.”

  “True. I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation, Aunt Eunice didn’t tell Uncle Roy, either.”

  “Because she chose not to or because she didn’t know about your scheme ahead of time?”

  I think he already knew the answer to that question. Ethan put an arm around me and pulled me close to his side. “Do you think you can stay out of trouble for the next three days?”

  “I doub
t it.” My response was given without humor, but Ethan seemed to find it full of jokes.

  His shout of laughter almost burst my eardrum.

  “I’m being serious. Trouble follows me wherever I go.” Sometimes I looked for it, but that was neither here nor there. This particular mystery I did not go looking for out of curiosity, a misguided sense of righteousness, or the need to right a wrong. I literally happened to be in the wrong place.

  “I wonder if I could find a bumper sticker that says Trouble is Coming?” Ethan laughed harder when I slugged him in his bicep.

  A shadow passed the window. I started to jump up to answer the door, but Ethan pulled me back, saying he’d greet our visitor. Okay. Instead, I sat on the edge of the sofa and craned my neck.

  Before the person could knock, Ethan had the door open, allowing Camilla to enter. The girl’s stony face swiveled my way. Didn’t she ever smile? I tried to remember if I’d ever seen her do anything but the pasted-on grin required by employees. Nope. Nothing.

  “There is a tropical storm coming.” Instead of beautifully lilted words, she spoke like an automaton. “They are not common for this time of year, but my father insists all guests be either in their cabins or in the main building.” She gave a single nod. “For their own safety, of course.”

  Not once had her gaze left mine. Well, she wasn’t the first person not to like me for reasons I couldn’t understand. Most likely, once we left the island, I’d never see her or any member of her family again.

  I slouched back. If we were to stay inside, how would Leroy be able to make his next move? Or, wait! What if staying in our cabin was the worst-case scenario and would fit in with the killer’s plans?

  “Thank you.” Ethan let Camilla out, taking the chill from the room and returning the temperature to tropical. “I can see the wheels spinning in your head.”

  “They are.” I skooched against the sofa arm and hugged a throw pillow. “I know that the killer couldn’t make a storm happen on purpose, but what if he takes advantage of the situation? We’re all separated into our individual places. I think we should gather at the larger cabin, or in the main building. Safety in numbers, and all that.”