I tossed down the last of my saké and paid the bill. I was a little tipsy but sober enough to realize the impact of what I’d just learned. I went back upstairs and finished packing. I knew something had to be done, but I didn’t know what.
And, to quote Natalie, ‘What difference does it make?’
CHAPTER 36
My plane didn’t leave until one o’clock in the afternoon but I was up and ready by seven. I’d been trained both as a martial arts student and an air marshal to not let evil stand. Although there wasn’t a thing I could do to bring my brother back, there was no way I could allow Natalie Wilkerson to get away with this. It would require me exposing Stuart’s failings—his sterility, his being cuckolded by a wife he adored, his being too proud to finger his attacker while he had the chance. But I had to do it.
I dragged my suitcase down to the lobby and asked the bellman to lock it up for me. “Oh, and if it’s okay, could you please bring the car down one more time? Mahalo again for loaning it to me. I’m leaving this afternoon so I won’t need it again after this.”
“No worries. I’m still sad to think about what happened to your bruddah. I say a prayer for your ohana. Looks like your sis-in-law’s gonna get some big bank from the city, no?”
I wanted to tell him if I have anything to say about it she won’t get a dime and hopefully she’ll be doing hard time, but I just smiled and thanked him for thinking of our ohana.
I drove out to Stuart’s house via surface streets. The H-1 would be backed up even going away from the city, and anyway, I wanted to take in the view of the beach as I prepared for how I’d deal with Natalie.
As a wedding planner one thing I’m good at is putting first things first. I’d check out how Natalie reacted to my knowing the truth before I’d tell Moko. And I’d decided that Moko and the family deserved to know what kind of scum-sucker Natalie was before I contacted Wendi Takeda and allowed her to splash it all over the news.
I didn’t worry about libel. Or slander. Or defamation of any kind. That kind of stuff only applies if what you’re saying isn’t true. And after hearing what Jason had to say, I was sure there’d be plenty of guys who’d back up my allegations. After all, with Stuart dead, they had no reason to lie. Maybe I’d find a way to sweeten the deal, like when Anna Nicole Smith died and practically every guy on the planet claimed to be her daughter’s father. Funny how money brings out the paternal instincts in guys with loose morals.
I pulled in the driveway and there was a strange car parked in the portico. It was an enormous Beemer. I figured it was kismet that I’d showed up to accuse Natalie of cheating on Stuart while she was bedding her latest conquest.
Yvonne answered the door. Once again, she appeared anxious.
“No worries, Yvonne,” I said in a low voice. “After what I have to say to your sister you’ll be free as a bird.”
Her facial expression didn’t change. She stepped back and I came inside.
“Natalie?” I said in my announcer voice. “It’s me, Pali.” I hoped she wouldn’t choose to answer and I could stomp down the hall and wrench open her bedroom door and catch her ‘coitus dilecti’ with whoever drove the big Beemer.
But disappointingly she called from the living room. “We’re in here, Pali.”
I crossed to the living room and found Natalie and Barry Salazar sharing the sofa. He was leaning back, with his hands clasped across his chest as if he’d just snatched them back from groping her.
“Hello Barry,” I said.
He started to stand.
“No, please don’t get up,” I said. “I can only stay a few minutes.”
I hadn’t thought about having an audience to my little intervention, but now that it presented itself I realized it was better that way.
“I have a couple of things I need to say to Natalie.”
Natalie picked up a little brass bell from the coffee table and rang it. The tinkle sounded like the bell in Farrah’s store reminding me that in just a few hours I’d be back home. I’d get this done and then I could head to the airport.
Yvonne appeared in the doorway. Natalie talked to her in Chinese and Yvonne nodded. Then Natalie turned to Barry. “It was so nice of you to come over to console me. But I should get back to dealing with everything I need to handle. And as Pali said, she only has a few minutes.” She got up and started heading for the door.
“It’s okay with me if Barry stays,” I said.
He ignored me and got up and followed Natalie to the foyer.
When she came back in the room, she didn’t sit down. She crossed her arms on her chest. “Whatever you have to say, just say it. From the look on your face, I have a feeling you’ve been listening to Jason.”
“I have. And he’s told me everything.”
She snorted. “And you believed him.”
“Why shouldn’t I? It all makes sense. You guilting him into getting you pregnant and then blackmailing him into keeping his mouth shut while you hopped in bed with half of Honolulu.”
She shot me a malevolent smile. “Oh sweetie. Your father thought you were the smart one. But obviously the old man should’ve done his homework.”
“I’m not here to talk about my father,” I said. “I’m here to accuse you of killing my brother. You knew exactly what you were doing when you pushed him in that canal. You were probably hoping he’d drown.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not proud to have to say this, but the night my husband fell into the Ala Wai Canal I was unable to help him. I was right here. In my house. With someone who can provide me with an ironclad alibi.”
“Your sister?”
“Hardly. My sister doesn’t speak English.” She chuckled and then said, “But I supposed the police are required to provide an interpreter. So I guess that makes it two ironclad alibis. Better for me.”
“Who’s the other person?”
“He just walked out the door. But don’t bother chasing him down. We’ve got our stories straight.”
Right then it hit me. Stuart had been tossed overboard by the people he loved long before he ended up in the Ala Wai Canal.
***
My flight back to Maui seemed short. Maybe it was because I was running through ‘What ifs’ and ‘If I could haves’ that all resulted in dead ends. What was I missing? What bit of evidence could I offer the police that would allow them to unhinge Natalie’s so-called perfect crime?
Now that I was pretty sure I had all the pieces I still didn’t have any proof. Even Wendi Takeda acknowledged she was reluctant to print that Natalie had pushed Stuart into the canal that night.
“She’s the grieving widow,” she said. “I’m not only inviting a libel charge but also a huge backlash from the public. No way my editor would approve it.”
When I got to the Kahului airport I was thrilled to see Farrah and Ono waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator.
“Aloha,” said a beaming Farrah as she draped a double-strand orchid lei around my neck.
Ono stepped up and placed a smaller, but more fragrant plumeria lei on top of the orchid one. He gave me a peck on both cheeks.
“Glad to have you back,” he said.
“Great to be back.”
“We were so sorry to hear about your brother. We sent flowers to the service. Did you get them?”
It was odd to hear him say ‘we’ and realize he and Farrah would be ‘we’ for a long time; hopefully forever. “I’m sure they arrived. The memorial service was huge. I’m afraid I didn’t get to see all the cards from all the flowers. But mahalo for thinking of me.”
“You look fried,” said Farrah. “I’m sure this past week has been a total bummer.”
“You have no idea,” I said. “Can I ask a big favor?”
“Sure,” they said in unison.
I looked at Ono. “Would you mind if Farrah comes with me back to Pa’ia? I could really use the company.”
He smiled. “We already planned she would. I’ve got to
get back down to Lahaina. I gotta get the cat ready for a sunset sail tonight.”
I hugged him and then I went to get my car from the parking lot. While I waited for the crosswalk light to change I turned and looked at them. They were kissing. Farrah had her arms around his neck and he’d pulled her in close. Like loving couples do.
I took a deep breath and thought about my brother and Natalie. Then the light turned to ‘walk’ and I headed for my car.
***
As we drove up to Pa’ia, I recounted to Farrah how I’d learned what had happened to Stuart and how Barry and Natalie were poised to get away with it. I finished with, “Barry Salazar’s backing her up one-hundred percent. After all, with Stu dead he’s four million dollars richer. So not only is Natalie literally getting away with murder; everyone feels sorry for her. The City of Honolulu will probably fork over millions of dollars to settle her claim against them.”
“Wow,” Farrah said. “That’s like biblical, you know?”
I looked over at her. “I wish it were biblical. I’d turn her ass into a pillar of salt.”
“No, think about it,” she said. “Remember about the sins of the father being visited upon the children? Looks like it came true. Your dad never paid the piper so now his son will never get justice.”
“Huh. That’s true.”
“But don’t worry, Pali. Remember karma?”
“Oh yeah, your old pal, karma,” I said. “I figure if anyone’s entitled to good karma, it’s you. You should’ve found a lamp with a genie in it who’ll make all your wishes come true.”
“I did,” she said.
“Did what?”
“Did find someone who makes all my wishes come true.” She smiled and put her hand over mine on the gear knob.
“You’re so sweet,” I said. “But I’m afraid karma’s a nice idea, but it’s not real.”
“No,” Farrah said. “Karma’s righteously real. And even if it wasn’t, human nature’s totally real. I watch people all day. I see how they tick. You let somebody filch a pack of gum; next day they’ll be back for your cash box. Greed never sleeps.”
I stared at her until the wheels on the car hit the gravel. “You’re right! That’s it.”
I swerved and got back on the road.
“Are you okay?” she said. “What’s ‘it’?”
“I need to go back to Honolulu,” I said.
“Right now?”
“No, but soon. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve nailed it,” I said. “Greed never sleeps.”
CHAPTER 37
We spent the rest of the ride up to Pa’ia talking about Farrah and Ono’s plans for their Halloween wedding. The good news was they were both laid-back people so the whole affair was going to be more beach than cathedral; more barbeque than china-plate dinner.
“Remember the little christening ceremony we had down at Baldwin Beach last summer?” she said.
How could I forget? What happened shortly after that was one of the most depressing times in our long friendship.
“Well,” she went on. “I want my wedding to be like that. Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, so that’s kinda a bummer. But everyone takes the day off anyway, so I’ll have the wedding during the day. We’ll do a beachside ceremony and then have a party until dark. Nothing fancy but a good time for everybody.”
“Do you want people to wear costumes?” I said.
“If they want. Then they could go down to Lahaina and keep the party going.”
“Are you going to wear a costume?” I said.
“Sure. And Ono too.”
“What are you coming as?”
“Duh. A bride and groom.”
“Well then, you’re gonna need a big ol’ bride dress.”
“I know. Where can I get one in a month?”
I glanced at Farrah’s Rubenesque figure. “There’s not much to pick from here on Maui. We’ll need to go to Honolulu. They have a much wider selection of styles and sizes over there.”
She sighed. Loudly.
“Okay, I’ll find you something in Honolulu. The shops over there will let me take a few dresses on loan. I’ll bring them back and you can try them on and see which one you like.”
She reached over and patted my arm. “If you weren’t driving I’d give you a big ol’ hug.”
“Save the hug for when I bring you the perfect wedding gown.”
***
I called Hatch to tell him I’d made it back to Maui. It’d only been three days since we talked, but it felt like weeks.
“Hey, it’s great to hear your voice,” he said.
“The phone goes both ways, you know.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I had classes and then I got called out every day this week except today.” He sounded disappointed to have a day off.
“But you’re enjoying it?” I said.
“Best gig ever. I’ve made almost as much in the past two weeks as I make in two months sitting on my butt in the station.”
I didn’t want to have the ‘mainland move’ conversation on the telephone so I changed the subject. I told him the short version of Natalie’s plotting to kill Stu and then getting the pity vote for being a young pregnant widow. I also mentioned how she’d managed to talk Barry into alibiing her since he was about to come into four million bucks.
“So that’s it? She’s getting away with it?” he said.
“Not if I can help it. I’m going back tomorrow to look at wedding dresses for Farrah and check out something I should’ve looked into when I was there. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
We promised each other to stay safe and then said our ‘I love you’s’ before hanging up.
***
Steve wasn’t at home on Friday when I got there and he still hadn’t returned when I had to leave to go back to the airport on Saturday morning. I wrote him a note saying I’d been home but had to leave and I’d be back again on Sunday. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d already accepted the job in Honolulu. I doubted I’d be too eager to fly over to Honolulu very often to visit him in his new digs, but I hoped he’d come back to Maui now and then. The house felt hollow without him.
I couldn’t get on the first few flights to HNL so it was nearly noon when I landed. I rented a car since I’d be doing some driving. I called Moko and told him I was back in town for the day looking at wedding gowns, but I didn’t divulge my other reason for coming back so soon.
“By the way, do you still have keys to the boat yard?” I asked.
“The boat yard?” he said. “I was just a working stiff out there. But I got Stu’s keys. They gave me his personal effects when he, you know.” He choked up, but cleared his throat and went on. “Why you asking? You want to go out there? I don’t want you going out there by yourself. It’s not a good neighborhood.”
“I’m not planning on going. I just wondered who had keys to the place.”
“Well, you call me if you thinkin’ about going there.”
I spent two hours at a pricey bridal salon up on Beretania Street. Okay, the gowns were ridiculously overpriced. Okay, the place was like something out of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with pinched-looking sales ladies in black tailored suits and severe hair styles. And okay, they gave me the once-over and ignored me, probably hoping I’d check one of the price tags and hit the door.
But the dresses were divine. And I don’t use words like ‘divine’ lightly. The fabrics, styles and workmanship were beyond anything I could’ve found on Maui, even if I’d had time to order a custom gown. The three dresses I picked out for Farrah averaged over three-thousand dollars apiece. I’d never tell her that, of course. Her gown would be a gift. But if she planned to schedule a ‘trash the dress’ photo shoot I’d flash her that price tag faster than you could say, ‘No way, Missy.’
I asked the sales clerk—or excuse me, bridal gown consultant—if she’d prepare the dresses for shipment to a neighbor island. Gone are the days of
dragging a wedding gown through the airport and getting thumbs-ups and smiles from fellow passengers. Now gowns are required to be boxed for shipment in the cargo hold.
I got into my rental car and took a deep breath. This was my last shot. Knowing I’d been fibbing when I told Moko I had no intention of doing so, I drove out to the boat yard at Barbers Point.
The place was locked up. As I expected it would be. After all, it was Saturday. And Moko had mentioned he still wasn’t working so the place was probably just as locked up during the work week.
The eight-foot chain link fence was forbidding; especially the last foot. It was concertina razor wire.
I tried the gate. It was secured with a cheap keyed padlock. Who runs hundreds of yards of chain link topped by razor wire and then locks it up with a six-dollar lock? Oh well. Their stupidity was my ‘get into jail free’ card. And yeah, I meant ‘into’. The signs warning that ‘trespassers will be prosecuted’; and ‘video surveillance cameras in use’; and ‘guard dog on duty’ were all staring me in the face. I knew that once I broke that lock and went inside I was shopping for handcuffs.
I picked up a softball-size chunk of concrete. The lock broke on the fifth try.
I sprinted across the parking lot and up to the front door of the main building. Just in case, I tried the door. I’d heard funny stories from Hatch about firemen who broke down a door to get in during a fire while the door had been unlocked the whole time. Never hurts to expect the best.
I considered calling Moko but dismissed it. I couldn’t drag him in on this. If I got caught and went to jail, I’d have a criminal record but who’d care? When was the last time a potential client asked me if I’d ever been convicted of a felony?
I took out my own key ring and tried each of the keys. One brand actually slipped easily into the lock but once it was in there it was as tight as a stepfather ordering cheap booze for his snotty step-daughter’s wedding. It wouldn’t budge.
The windows were low and single pane. I paused, but then thought, why not? I was already trespassing. The upgrade to breaking and entering couldn’t tack on that much more time.
05-O'ahu Lonesome Tonight? Page 19
