Dangerous Depths

by Colleen Coble

  “She liked them fine. They thought Tony married beneath him.”

  “Did he?”

  “Of course not! Candace may not have had the Italian pedigree they would have liked, but she loved Tony.”

  “How did he meet her?”

  “Dirk introduced them. She was on the island shooting a commercial. She’d been working as a receptionist for a security company when she got called for the job. It was filmed on a boat, and she knew Dirk from working with him on O’ahu. She put him in touch with the producer, and Tony captained the boat. It was love at first sight.” She smiled at the memory of Tony’s instant infatuation. Candace had been just as bad.

  He put his notepad away. “That’s all for now. I’ll give you a call if I think of any more questions. Mahalo.” He nodded to Leia and Malia, then tromped off in the wake of the men bearing Koma from the clearing.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Malia linked arms with Leia, and they followed the path back to their grandmother’s.

  “How weird that he would ask questions about my mother.” Leia couldn’t get the detective’s suspicions out of her head.

  “He has to ask those things. No one could seriously suspect your mother.” Malia’s voice was unconcerned.

  As they approached the house, the sound of Tûtû’s singing came to her ears. “Oh, no,” Leia groaned. “Tûtû is having a bad day.” Ajax came to greet her, and she patted his head.

  “Our parents are going to have to make a decision soon,” Malia said. “I’ve talked to my mother about having her live with us, but my father is against it. He and Tûtû have been at odds so long, I think neither of them know how to mend the breach. He’s never forgiven her for giving the coffee plantation to Uncle Makoni.”

  “Someone needs to bring her home to live with them,” Leia said. “I think it’s outrageous that Mama is so against it. She would hate to live in a home herself, so you’d think she would consider how Tûtû feels.”

  “I’ve tried talking to my dad too. He says my mother doesn’t have time to care for Tûtû. I’ve offered to stay with Tûtû during the day, but my father is against that as well. He says Uncle Makoni can do it.”

  Even Malia’s family wasn’t perfect. Leia sometimes forgot that. “We could share the responsibility. Or maybe I could move in with Tûtû.”

  “That would be fine until you had to go to work,” Malia pointed out. “But I could help you. Most of my job is done at home anyway. I can string leis anywhere. Tûtû could help me.”

  “We’ll think about it.” Leia dreaded confronting her mother. Her mother had formed her ideas decades ago, then slapped a per-manent coat of shellac on them. She opened the door and stepped into the dark house. If Leia moved in, the first thing to go would be the curtains. She stopped when her gaze met Bane’s, and Malia nearly bumped into her.

  He rose from the sofa with a fan of cards in his hand. “We were just playing Go Fish. Eva was whopping me. Are you all right?”

  She wanted to run into his arms, and it was only by a thin string that she managed to hang on to her composure. “I’ve had better days,” she said, raising her voice over the sound of her grand-mother’s singing. Tûtû rocked in her chair and stared at the wall as she sang.

  “What did Detective Ono have to say?”

  “He found bullet casings, cigarette butts, and footprints. And a watch someone dropped.”

  “He thinks Leia might be in danger,” Malia put in. She glanced at her watch. “My parents should be home. I’d better call them and tell them what happened.” She went toward the kitchen. “I’ll call your parents too.”

  Bane’s gaze focused on Leia. “Does he think the shooter was aiming for you?”

  “Of course not. He’s just looking at the fact I was nearby when Tony was killed, and now Koma. It’s coincidence though.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” Bane put down his cards and came toward her. He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’ve got an idea. We need some extra help diving. An earthquake swarm ripped a crack in the seabed close to the wreck. We have to move fast or the site may slide off into the abyss. You’re an expert diver. Ron will pay you well, and I can watch out for you.”

  “I’ve got responsibilities at the clinic,” she protested. “And I’ve offered to help Candace as well.”

  “It wouldn’t be long—just until the police wrap up this investigation. No one will harm you out on the boat. Besides, if Candace realizes we’re so close to finding the treasure, she’ll want you to go. She could use the money.”

  She thought about it a minute. “Now might be a good time to take a few days off from work. I’d like to find the treasure for Candace’s sake.” She told herself her excitement about the dive had nothing to do with the fact that she felt alive in Bane’s presence and wanted to bask in his attention.

  The stars shone like pearls in a blue-velvet sky. Leia inhaled the scent of the sea deep into her lungs and felt its power relax her muscles. Malia’s father had agreed to let her take Tûtû home with her tonight while Leia and Bane went to get Candace’s permission for Leia to help with the dive.

  “I need to stop by the ship and drop off Ajax. Do you mind?”

  She shook her head. “I was glad to see him when I got to Tûtû’s.”

  “You’re not fooling me. I know, you hoped he’d run off by now.” Bane’s grin told her he was aware of her distaste for the canine. “I don’t know what you have against poor Ajax.”

  The dog thrust his head between them and whined at the sound of his name. Leia leaned down and rubbed his head. “Oh, you mean you’ve never noticed how he acts like we’re all here to serve his every whim? You spoil him terribly. Human food, filtered water, a featherbed.” She shook her head. “You’re a mess, Bane Oana. That dog has gotten you wrapped around his finger, er, paw, in just a year. He was a spoiled puppy when I last saw him, and now he’s even worse.” She gave Ajax a final pat. She actually liked the dog, but Bane didn’t seem to realize Ajax was a dog and not his child.

  “You just don’t like the competition.”

  She crossed her eyes at him, thankful he couldn’t see her silly gesture in the dark night. “I thought Ajax would have forgotten me.” Hina was struggling to get to the dog, but Leia kept a firm grip on her. The cat eventually gave up and settled into a nap.

  “I doubt it. You’re unforgettable.” His voice took on a husky tone, and he reached over and grasped her hand.

  The touch of his warm hand sent a shock along her arms. It was a perfect night for romance. The heady scent of the sea mingled with Bane’s cologne. She needed to be careful. It would be easy to drop her guard on a night like this. She withdrew her hand, feeling a stab of regret. She didn’t want to hurt him, but it had to be this way. She saw him hunch his shoulders over the boat’s controls. She turned her gaze away.

  He didn’t say anything more until he moored at the big research vessel. “I discovered my plane had been sabotaged. I forgot to tell you.”

  “A bomb?”

  “Yep. I found the traces. Ron is sure it’s his ex–brother-in-law, Sam Westerfield. I guess the guy blames him for the accident that killed Ron’s wife.”

  “Sam Westerfield? My dad can’t stand him. He was the one who implicated Makua in the robbery. He is on the board at the museum and insisted my father had to know more than he was telling. Even when the police exonerated him, Westerfield kept pointing fingers. My father won’t be happy to hear he’s here.”

  “Sounds like no one much likes him.”

  “Could this guy be behind Tony’s death too?”

  Bane didn’t answer for a moment. “I wouldn’t think so, but I have to admit I never even considered it. Ron says Westerfield wants to find the galleon, and the ship is worth millions. That’s massive stakes. If you add revenge into the mix, it’s a killer motive. I’ll say something to Ron.” Bane stood and began to climb the ladder to the ship. “You want to come aboard?”

  “Sure, why not?” She followed him onto the dec
k. Hina had been sleeping in her arms, but she raised her head and looked around.

  A crew member with red hair stood in the doorway. He backed away when he saw the cat. Hina stalked toward him with her tail in the air. “Uh, I’ve got work to do.” He vanished through the doorway.

  “I’d guess Logan is scared of cats too, just like Ajax,” Bane said. “Come here, boy,” he said in a coaxing voice. “You can stay in my quarters.”

  Leia stifled a giggle. No wonder that dog was the most spoiled animal on the face of the earth. Purring, Hina reached out her paw and touched Bane on the arm as if he were calling for her. Ajax’s claws clicked on the deck as he raced to slobber over his owner. Hina hissed. She let out a yowl that would have raised Neptune from the deep. She arched her back, her tail lashing in the air, then with a last yowl, leaped onto Ajax’s back. The dog yelped and dashed for Bane’s legs.

  He soothed him. “It’s okay. The bad cat won’t hurt you.” He was grinning, and his gaze met Leia’s. “Those two are like oil and water. What’s wrong with this picture? The dog should be terrorizing the cat, not the other way around.”

  He was like a kid with that dog. Whenever he had children, he would be a great dad. Her smile faded. She watched while Bane fed Ajax, then they got back in the boat with Hina and headed to shore. They were both quiet. Leia wondered what Bane was thinking about as he stared out over the dark waters. She always got the impression that Bane was holding something of himself back. There was an invisible wall around him. He wanted to be the one to take care of everyone else, but it somehow made him aloof. She’d always wondered if he thought he wasn’t allowed to show any weaknesses.

  Nothing more was said between them as they docked and walked to Candace’s house. The lights spilled out of the big plantation house. The driveway was empty, but Leia assumed Candace’s car was in the garage. As they approached the door, she could hear music drifting out the open window. Candace was a huge fan of Paul McCartney and played his songs all the time. Through the open curtains, she could see Candace in a nightgown. Her eyes closed, she was dancing in the middle of the floor. Swaying and weaving with the music, she seemed to be talking to herself.

  “You think she’s okay?” Leia whispered.

  “You’d better go in alone. She’s ready for bed,” Bane said. “I’ll wait in the car. She wouldn’t want anyone but a woman to see her like that.”

  She respected the way he kept his eyes averted from the spectacle of Candace in the flimsy nightgown. Leia pressed the buzzer and waited. No response. She tried the handle and found the door unlocked. “Hello? Candace, it’s Leia.” There was still no answer, so she stepped inside and went down the hallway.

  Candace was still lost in her music and dance. Leia’s gaze went to the coffee table where two glasses and a bottle of scotch sat. Even from here, she could smell the reek of the alcohol. She grimaced and stepped across Candace’s discarded slippers and clothing on the floor. She touched Candace’s arm. “Candace, are you all right?”

  Candace looked back at her with glassy eyes. “Leia,” she slurred. “Come dance with me.”

  “You need a smoothie to counteract the effects of that alcohol,” Leia said, guiding the other woman to a nearby chair. “Wait here.” She went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She dumped ice, a banana, and some fresh pineapple into the blender and turned it on. What was Candace thinking to be drinking while she was pregnant? Leia pressed her lips together as she poured the smoothie into a glass. Carrying it into the living room, she found Candace curled up on the sofa with her eyes closed. “Here, Candace, drink this.” She lifted her friend and held the glass to her lips. Candace barely opened her eyes, but she managed to sip the smoothie.

  Leia watched her, and in a few minutes, Candace began to look a little more alert. “You can’t do this again,” Leia said. “You have to think about the baby.”

  Candace sat up straighter. “Tony would have made such a good fa—father. I’ll make a terrible mother.”

  “You’ll be fine.” Leia smoothed Candace’s hair back from her forehead. “Look at the way you baby your flowers. You’ll be a great mother. It will be hard, but I’ll be here for you, and so will the rest of your friends.”

  Candace clutched Leia’s hands. “You think so? I haven’t been around kids much. I—I’m scared to do this by myself.”

  “I think it will come naturally to you. But you have to take care of yourself. No more alcohol. It’s bad for the baby.”

  Fresh tears filled Candace’s eyes. “Is it really? I haven’t been to the doctor yet. Do you think I hurt the baby?”

  “You’re going to be fine. Your baby is going to be fine. But you have to go see the doctor and let him tell you how to care for your-self.” Candace nodded and Leia let her lean back against the sofa again, then forced a few more sips of the drink down her. “I’ll be right back,” she told Candace before she went to tell Bane she needed to stay here.

  Bane was leaning against the trunk of the car with his arms folded over his chest. “Is she okay?”

  “Not really. She’s been drinking. I think I should stay with her tonight. Mahalo for bringing me over.”

  “I’ll come by and get you for work in the morning. You’re stranded here.”

  “What time?”

  “About eight?”

  “You know, don’t bother. I want to get my mom’s boat anyway. I’ll have Malia get me. Don’t look for me before ten.” She laced her fingers together and wished she knew what to say to him. He’d been a rock for her today.

  “Okay.”

  “Well, good night.” The words were barely out of her mouth when he stepped toward her and leaned down. His lips brushed hers, and the unfamiliar facial hair tickled her lip. Inhaling the masculine scent of him was like the most potent drug. Without a conscious movement, she found herself grasping his shirt and kissing him back. When she realized what she’d done, she jerked away. Dropping her hands, she whirled and ran for the house. Bane’s soft laughter floated after her on the wind.

  Ten

  Bane waved at his sister, who sat at the helm of a thirty-foot Chris-Craft. She waved back and cut the engine. The boat slewed sideways as it slowed near the Pomaik’i. He went down to the boarding platform to greet her. It was only then he noticed the dolphin zipping through the water beside her boat. Nani leaped from the water, rolled in the air, and splashed down. The spray arced through the air and drenched him in a warm salt bath.

  “Hey, you did that on purpose! No fish for you, Nani.” The dolphin chattered from the water, and he could have sworn she was smiling. Her exuberance brought a smile to his lips. “Did you tell her to do that?”

  “Nope,” Kaia said, climbing aboard the platform. “She is just trying to show how excited she is to see you.”

  “Here, I’ll share the excitement with you.” He hugged her tight, trying to transfer as much moisture from his shirt to her red tank top.

  “Ew, mahalo nui loa.” She hugged him back, then stepped away and looked up into his face “You’ve lost weight. Are you okay?”

  “Sure. I’ve just been too busy to eat.”

  “You get on a new project like this, and you get obsessed.” She shook her head, then linked arms with him. They went up to the deck of the research vessel. Kaia stepped to the salon, where she rummaged in the cooler and got a Pepsi.

  “Don’t let Leia see you drink that. She’ll be on your case about how bad sugar is for you.” He probably shouldn’t have said any-thing about Leia. Kaia wanted to see everyone married now that she was happily settled. Mano was just as bad. Bane was the oldest and would be the last to enter matrimony.

  Kaia stopped with the can halfway to her lips. “Leia is back? You never said a word.”

  “She chucked her career and came back here. She’s making kapa now and working in the little clinic on Kalaupapa administering alternative treatments to the residents.”

  She looked at him with a sharp gaze. “I can see her doing that. I
never saw her as a traditional doctor. I hope you didn’t say ‘I told you so.’”

  His sister knew him too well. “I didn’t expect her to hate it so much she’d quit. But I did talk her into helping out on the project.”

  “Is that all you’ve talked her into? Is romance blooming again?”

  “Easy, tiger. Don’t go pushing me.” He grinned. “How’s Makuahine? And Tûtû-man.”

  She shot him a droll look. “I guess I’ll let you change the subject. They’re fine. Grandfather wants to come over for the ukulele festival. Have you been practicing?”

  “Not yet, but I will. Are you still happily married?”

  She smiled. “I think Jesse is relieved all the fuss is over, and I have to admit I feel the same. Now we’re just an old married couple.” She patted her stomach. “And baby makes three.”

  Bane grinned. “I’m going to spoil that kid rotten. You look great.”

  Kaia sipped her soda. “I feel good too, other than the morning sickness. So what do you have planned for Nani? I can only stay for the weekend, then I need to get back home, but Nani can stay as long as you need her. I have to write up a massive report on the progress with Nani to apply for some new funding.”

  “We’re looking for a Spanish galleon down here. We’ve found some artifacts. Twenty feet or so from the site where we found the cannonballs, the ocean floor drops off. I was hoping Nani could go down with a camera and see what’s there. We’ve got a minisub we can take down too, but Nani can maneuver into smaller places.”

  “I’m sure she’ll love the work.”

  “There’s something else. There have been some earthquakes in the area. Part of the shelf we’re examining went over the edge. I hope we have time to get it all out.”

  “You should call Annie and ask about activity.”

  Annie was Mano’s fiancée. A top-notch volcanologist, she worked at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. “Great idea. I’ll call her now.” He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and found her stored number. No signal. He walked to the deck and tried again, finally getting a signal, though it was weak. “Annie, it’s Bane.” The signal was still poor, so he stepped a few feet to the port. Kaia followed him.