Murder on Mokulua Drive

by Burrows-Johnson, Jeanne;

  “Good morning. I’m Officer Alena Horita. I met Keoni Hewitt at the front of the property. My partner, Jim Maxwell, is also on the premises. He is now taking Mr. Hewitt to the…scene of the…death.”

  Glancing down at Samantha, who had returned to a non-responsive pose, the woman again addressed Joanne. “If you’d be seated with the other ladies, I need to take some initial information from you all.”

  Once she had sat down, Joanne took the lead. “I’m Joanne Walther, roommate of Miriam Didión. This is our new roommate, Samantha Turner. She’s just joined us from Hale Malolo…to be our housekeeper.

  Seeing that Samantha was not in a state to be interactive, the officer next turned to me. “And you, Ma’am?”

  “I’m Natalie Seachrist. Keoni Hewitt and I are neighbors,” I replied, gesturing toward the gate between the two cottages.

  “Ah, yes,” responded Officer Horita, as though my two sentences summarized all that needed to be said about me.

  Turning back to Joanne, she continued her questions. “Is there anyone else living on the premises?”

  “Yes. Izzy. That’s Esmeralda Cruz. She used to be Miriam’s housekeeper and then became one of our roommates.”

  “And where is she now?”

  “She’s at church this morning. As I was telling Natalie, she probably left here around seven-thirty or so.”

  “Who found the victim?”

  “Samantha did. And then she came to tell me,” said Joanne.

  We all looked toward Samantha, who continued to look blank.

  “I see. As you may expect, the EMTs will be here shortly. After they’ve …seen you all, we’ll speak again. At this time I need you to remain out here on the lānai. I’ll be back as soon as I check in with Officer Maxwell.”

  Within moments, sirens filled the air. Soon Officer Horita rejoined us, accompanied by three male EMTs. Evidently, they had been informed there was nothing to be done for Miriam, but I knew they were also on-site to care for the possible needs of those surrounding the recently deceased.

  With the EMTs clearly alerted to the situation, two of them began trying to engage Samantha in conversation, while taking her vital signs. The remaining tech glanced at me, and when I shook my head slightly, he turned to Joanne, who was gazing toward the bird bath in the center of the garden.

  “So, how are you doing, ma’am,” asked the tall man who had identified himself as Tony Connors.

  “I’m fine,” responded Joanne. “Well, I’m as well as anyone could be.”

  “May I take your pulse and other vital signs?”

  “Sure, that’s fine. I know you have to do your job. My concern is Samantha; she’s the one who, who found…our friend.”

  The next few minutes passed quickly as Officer Horita and I watched the evaluation of the two housemates of Miriam who had observed her deathly repose. I suspected that once the EMTs had completed their procedures, they would have a consultation with whomever was checking the numbers on their readings of Samantha and Joanne. Until Keoni entered the garden from the garage with a short, stocky, haole with gray hair, we sat in awkward silence.

  CHAPTER 9

  One step at a time is good walking.

  Chinese proverb

  Since he had been nearby, I was not surprised to see John Dias arrive so quickly. With immediate recognition that this man was in charge of the crime scene, Officer Horita seemed to grow two inches as she stood to attention. Springing forward, the young policewoman greeted the man with her notebook and pen in hand.

  “Sir,” she said. Gesturing to Samantha and Joanne, she announced, “These are the roommates of Miriam Didión and this is Natalie…”

  “Hi, Natalie,” said John, cutting off Alena Horita’s introduction.

  “Hi, John. Long time no see.” In the morning daylight, the grooves and pock marks in his face had intensified. And it looked like he had more salt than pepper in his hair than he had the night before.

  “Yeah. I sure didn’t think I’d be seeing all of you again, so soon—and certainly not in a professional capacity.”

  I nodded as he turned to my companions with honest sorrow.

  “Joanne, Samantha, I know we only met briefly last night, but I’m very sorry for your loss. Miriam seemed like a delightful person.”

  They both nodded, and as Samantha gazed at John Dias, she seemed, to consciously recognize the reality of the situation facing her. After looking me in the eye, John continued. “I’ve taken a look into the …room. Since neither of you witnessed anything unusual last night—and didn’t see Izzy this morning—I don’t need to take your statements immediately. It might be best if you both went next door for a while, if that’s all right with you, Natalie?”

  “Uh, yes. That’ll be fine. I’d originally planned a brunch for Nathan and some out-of-town friends, so there’s plenty to eat. I’ll see there’s plenty of coffee, tea and bagels, and anything else you and your team might need, John.”

  “That would be great Natalie. It will allow us to minimize disruption at the crime scene, and keep the team working steadily,” he replied. “Will it be satisfactory with you ladies to wait at Natalie’s home?”

  “Of course, Detective,” replied Joanne. “Can we take our purses? And before we go, I should tell you that I’ve left a message for our third housemate, Izzy, to call before she comes home. She should be leaving Kawaiaha`o Church in Honolulu at any moment and I’m concerned about her driving up and seeing all the cars and ambulances.”

  “Thanks for reminding me about Izzy. Why don’t you try calling her again and ask her to park over at Natalie’s. If she doesn’t ask too many questions, it would probably be best for you to delay informing her about Miriam, until it can be done in person. Once she’s arrived, please give me a call on my cell phone,” he said, gesturing to a number on his business card. “I’ll need to speak with her as soon as possible, since she was the first up this morning. Officer Horita will now escort you into the house to get your purses, meds, and anything else you’ll need in the next few hours.”

  John nodded to the young officer. She then walked inside with Joanne. Once they had departed, he looked at me over Samantha’s hunched shoulders. At the moment I was debating when and how I should reveal my vision.

  Seeing the consternation on my face, a look of realization passed over him. “Natalie, I sense there’s…something you want to share with me? Right?”

  “Uh, yes. I, wasn’t sure what to say about my…my…”

  “Dream?” John offered.

  “Yeah, my dream,” I said with a sigh. Samantha seemed to hear what was transpiring, but she was obviously confused by my obtuse dialogue with the detective.

  “Mm. Well, Natalie, as you can imagine, I need to get the CSI team going. Let’s say you and I will have a little…tête-à-tête…after Sergeant Nakamura arrives?”

  I was already emotionally, if not physically, exhausted, but I knew the demands of this day would continue to escalate. At the moment, I needed to get Joanne and Samantha away from Miriam’s home.

  “Okay, John. I look forward to talking with you later.” Shortly after he went through the garage door, Officer Horita and Joanne returned. Joanne handed Samantha a large straw purse, sunglasses and placed a lace shawl around her shoulders.

  “Thank you, Joanne,” said Samantha, getting up.

  After bidding farewell to the diminutive policewoman, The Ladies and I headed across to my house—which I realized had become their refuge. Walking into the cottage, I felt both conflicted and relieved. I was glad to be out of the atmosphere of fear that had permeated Miriam’s house. However, I knew that for the foreseeable future I would be involved with trying to help reset the lives of the ladies Miriam had cared for so intently.

  When in doubt about anything, I tend to write lists. At the moment, my list-writing needed to be mental, since I did n
ot want Joanne or Samantha to see the scope of what I had on the immediate agenda for all of us.

  “Well, ladies, you may not think you’re hungry, but I’ve been through enough emergencies to know that the old adage about eating for strength in a crisis is valid. In a short while, you’re going to be facing questions from the authorities about all kinds of topics you may not find relevant; you’re also going have to deal with Izzy’s homecoming. You know how devastated you were earlier. Even if Izzy is not going to be in Miriam’s home any time soon, I’m sure you can imagine how she’ll feel when she’s told what happened.”

  At these words, Samantha began sniffling. I opened a drawer and brought out a tissue box. As I turned back, I found Joanne hugging the young woman and smoothing her hair out of her face.

  Placing the tissues on the kitchen table, I gestured toward the chairs. Joanne took the hint. She seated Samantha and knelt beside her, much as I had found them on my arrival at Miriam’s cottage. Chattering, as much to calm my own nerves as theirs, I said I would put the kettle on for tea. I pulled out Auntie Carrie’s prized Spode teapot and began filling a small basket with an assortment of tea bags. Just then Joanne’s cell phone chirped an electronic sequence of tones.

  She glanced down at caller ID and gave me a sickened look. Turning, she spoke briskly into the phone. “Oh, Izzy, I’m so glad you called. Yes, there’s been an emergency here and I need you to park at Natalie’s and join us in her cottage as soon as you can. Uh, we seem to have a poor connection and I can’t really talk right now. Just get here as soon as you can, okay?”

  She quickly disconnected with a deep sigh. “I know I’m being a coward, but I just couldn’t tell her about Miriam on the phone.”

  Trying to console her, I responded, “You weren’t being a coward, Joanne. Lieutenant Dias has dealt with these situations for a long time, and he wanted you to be able to tell Izzy in person. That way, no matter how she responds, we’ll be here to support her.”

  “I guess you’re right, Natalie. I’m just so grateful that you and Keoni were home this morning. I don’t know how I would have handled things without you.”

  At that moment, we heard the kettle whistling. Looking over at the stove, we were both surprised to see Samantha taking charge of making tea.

  “How strong do you like your tea? I put in three bags of Earl Grey, but I’m not sure how long they should steep,” said Samantha with an unexpectedly intense look on her face.

  After sharing a quick glance with Joanne, I said, “Just leave them in for the time it takes us to pull out a few items from the refrigerator.” Opening the door, I polled my companions. “How about some bagels, fruit salad and salmon pâté?”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Samantha replied, obviously relaxing about her tea-brewing dilemma. “I didn’t think I’d want anything to eat, but I guess I really am hungry.”

  “I don’t feel very hungry myself,” said Joanne. “But Natalie’s right. Today is going to be draining in every way and we don’t know when there’ll be another chance to eat. I think it’s best to do it before Izzy gets here. That way, we can focus on her needs.”

  Within a few minutes, we were seated, quietly munching on small portions of the leftovers I had set out. Once we were through, we all pitched in to tidy the kitchen. After that, I prepared trays of sliced fruit, cookies, bagels, hot and iced tea and coffee for the dining room table. Looking at the art deco clock above the china cabinet, I realized that Izzy was not the only person due to arrive momentarily.

  Keoni and members of the Crime Scene Investigation team could show up at any moment in search of food and drink. After settling The Ladies in the living room with the flat screen TV turned to Sunday talk shows, I called Keoni to compare notes on how the day was progressing.

  “I don’t mean to pull you from anything important, Keoni, but I thought you and John should know that Joanne spoke to Izzy and she’ll be arriving soon. Also, I’m sure you must be starved. I’ve set up some refreshments in the dining room for you and any of John’s team who need to take a break.”

  “Good planning. You’re right about my being hungry. And, with Ken`ichi, the CSI team and the ME’s wagon having arrived, I’m not needed. I’ll see you as soon as I tell John your news. Once Izzy has been told what’s happened—and she’s calmed down—he can come over and interview her and the other women.”

  “That sounds good. Joanne and Samantha are in the living room watching TV for the time being. Unfortunately, even Sunday programming is agitating, and I haven’t any idea of how to soothe their nerves before Izzy arrives.”

  “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, Natalie. Just take it one thing at a time; that’s all any of us can do. At least you got them out of Miriam’s, yet they’re close enough for JD to question them whenever he needs to. And it’s nice they’ve got easy access to anything they might need from Miriam’s cottage. That’s more than most people have in a crisis like this.”

  Soon I heard Keoni come in the back door. After he greeted Joanne and Samantha, he settled in the kitchen with a plate of food so we could have a few minutes to speak in relative privacy.

  “So what would you like to drink?” I asked.

  “I think this is a day for three-alarm caffeine, Natalie.”

  I went into the dining room to prepare a couple of cups of dark roast Kona coffee—his black, mine loaded with vanilla almond milk and cinnamon. Returning to the kitchen, I settled down with him at the old Formica kitchen table that had belonged to my parents. I touched the chrome corner I had nicked with a spoon as a child, seeking to feel grounded as I prepared to reveal my vision of Miriam’s death.

  As Keoni loaded a bagel with cream cheese topped with a slice of blackened `ahi, I thought about the joy we had felt just the night before. Taking advantage of his preoccupation with food, I launched into a preamble for what I had to tell him.

  “So, how are things next door? Does John have all his team in place?”

  “It’s actually several teams, you know.”

  “I know, but they’re all coordinating through him, right? Do you think he’ll have a report today?”

  “Yes, and later. All the teams report to him, and their department heads, but until each unit is through with their work, there won’t be a consolidated report. You must remember how it was with Ariel’s case?”

  “Well, at least John will be watching the puzzle pieces come together. And speaking of those pieces, he’ll be coming over this afternoon to put several into place.”

  “Yes. He’s asked that we set up a room for him to interview each of The Ladies.”

  “I figured the office would be best for that. I’ve already cleared off my desk for him and set up Auntie Carrie’s old koa card table.”

  “Good thinking. We can use the living room for everyone else who arrives—invited or not. But what if one or more of The Ladies breaks down?”

  “I think our bedroom would be the most peaceful place for them to rest and recover.”

  “Okay. I’ll pull out a couple of things from the office and bedroom and we should be set for the rest of the day.”

  “Well, almost, Keoni. We don’t know when Izzy is going to arrive…or anyone else…but I really need to tell you something before John gets here.”

  Looking up from his plate, Keoni’s eyes met mine. “Okay.”

  “You know how crazy everything has been all day?”

  “Mmhm.”

  “Well, I didn’t get a chance to discuss much with you earlier…You know how you left me to have some peaceful sleep last night? Well, it didn’t last very long.”

  “If that means what I think it does, you had another vision. Right?”

  “Yes, and I’m afraid it was about Miriam. But I didn’t realize it at the time.”

  ‘How much of the…event…did you see?” he asked, reaching to pat my hand.

 
“Oh, Keoni, it was terrible. For the first time, I was right in the middle of everything. I was even afraid the man would see me…and….”

  “Whoa, Natalie. Take a breath and tell me what you saw, from the beginning.”

  I paused and drew several cleansing breaths, like I had been taught in the yoga class I had not been attending very regularly. “At first I sort of hovered between the beach and Miriam’s yard. I saw a man in a wet suit walking up from the beach.”

  “Okay,” said Keoni, now holding both of my hands.

  “He went in Miriam’s gate and around the side of the house to where the old security system box is. Then he came back, walked up to the front door and opened it,” I said in escalating tones.

  Keoni maintained eye contact with me as I recited what I had seen. With his hands continuing to caress mine, I managed to maintain control as I recounted the horror of the scene of what I now knew was the murder of Miriam.

  “I stood in the doorway and watched the killer take out a loop of wire from a pouch. Then he dropped it over her head…and…jerked it…Her body slumped. I watched, sickened as he pulled a golden strand of hair from her head and put it in a plastic bag drawn from his pouch. He then picked up the cane that had fallen and put it back up against the wall. After that, he left the room, walking right through me, out the bedroom door, down the hall and out the front door. Oh, Keoni, I was so dumb. Even though everything was…was like in my other visions, I mean, in that pale washed-out color of old photos, I thought maybe it was just a bad dream because...”

  “It’s okay, Natalie. It’s okay,” said Keoni, in a soothing voice.

  I gulped a bit and tried to explain my confusion after waking up. “You see, some of the elements in my vision echoed things from the party—like Miriam’s security system being worked on… the story of Auntie Carrie and the diving suit…and Miriam using a cane. I just thought maybe my vision was a jumbled up nightmare.