Penniless Hearts

by Eve Gaal

  “I see,” John said. “So if I was on a vacation for a whole week, I could hypothetically receive a whole week's worth of golf for absolutely no additional charges?”

  “Correct.”

  John smiled, even though none of this information had brought him any closer to his Penny. At least now he had some strange off the wall notion that pilots on vacation probably stayed at the Princeville Resort in Kauai.

  “Thanks, ma'am,” he said, hanging up.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety

  Carl, Tina and Ron were enjoying breakfast in the Hyatt lobby restaurant, where a massive array of delicious fruits, cold cuts, cereals, juices, rolls, bacon, omelets and waffles were beckoning the hungry tourists in line at the buffet. The sound of waterfalls filled the restaurant, and picturesque views of the Pacific sparkled through wall-size windows, cajoling diners to hurry on out to the sand. Tropical parrots chirped from little ledges above man-made lagoons. A blinking Christmas tree and little white lights, added to the ambience.

  Maneuvering a slice of pineapple into her mouth, Tina gazed at a smiling Ron who locked eyes with her, while sipping coffee. Carl took a little taste of everything, stacking his plate with banana cake, coconut-sprinkled donuts and chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. “Nice spread,” he said, interrupting the lovebirds. “I wish John would get down here.” After setting his food down, he popped a chocolate-covered nut into his mouth before pulling out his chair. “Mmm, delicious,” he said, beaming comfortably. The sunburn had started to fade, and he seemed genuinely happy.

  “I'm glad he's trying to find her,” Tina said. “It's almost Christmas, and I should have found her days ago.”

  “Why don't you just forget about finding her,” Carl opined, munching on his donut. “Let my little angel live.” He thought about Penny having a great time, with a handsome fellow and he didn't want to distract her romantic getaway. This could be his big chance at finally becoming a grandfather. The mere thought thrilled him almost making him choke. When he coughed, Tina handed him a glass of water.

  “At least we don't have to worry about Darin's Christmas advertising campaign anymore,” Ron said, with a sad look in his eyes. He wasn't unhappy, but when he thought about the amount of money they were losing–it made his stomach rumble, and his head hurt.

  “Oh, shut up.” Tina scolded, “We're on vacation and we're having fun, aren't we?” She kissed his nose, and batted her lashes. “I don't think you should be talking about work while we're here, sweetie.” She picked up a slice of coconut, and began chewing on the end like a gopher in a potato patch.

  “You're so smart, Tina, I'm sorry.” Ron took another swig of coffee, and slowly pushed his plate away. His life in the newspaper business had crumpled into a giant, out of control ball of tangled yarn. The knots would eventually all come out, but the kinks could last forever. Turning to Tina, he rubbed a finger over her hand. “You're right, as always.”

  Tina smiled, and Carl looked up to see John running like a madman into the restaurant. “I think I know his name,” John said, pulling out a chair and trying to catch his breath.

  “Whose name?” Tina asked.

  “The guy she left with.” He reached over to Carl's plate, took a chocolate macadamia nut and put it in his mouth. Quickly chewing and swallowing, he couldn't wait to share his research.

  “Well, who did she leave with, son?” Carl asked between bites.

  John explained that he had called the golf shop at Princeville to find out if there were any golfers, who also happened to be pilots, playing this week. One of the aspiring amateur golfers was a bored kid who loved talking about all the interesting pros, celebrities and politicians who visited the gorgeous resort. Though this caddy loved golf, it seemed he loved gossip even more. He told John about a guy who flew for American that cancelled his tee time. John had written his name on his little sheet of hotel scratch paper.

  Shaking the piece of paper in front of Carl's face, John inhaled and said, “Captain Dan Losegg. That's the scum bag who stole my Penny.”

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-One

  The refreshing nap on the beach had helped renew her energy for the climb to her rental car. Endless switchbacks, and overgrown tree stumps made the slippery uphill slope a true test of endurance. Penny loved hiking, but the atmosphere of humidity, mushy decaying fruit and swarming flies, made the experience more than challenging.

  She looked around at the view, inhaled and plopped her sticky body into the driver's side of the vehicle. Looking at her reflection in the rear view mirror, she saw pail, hollow cheeks and dark circles under her eyes. Something wasn't right because she never got sick and lately everything made her dizzy. Pinching her cheeks, she took a deep breath and backed out of the gravel parking area.

  Forget Akaka falls and the Volcano viewing area, she thought to herself, maybe tomorrow she'd do more sightseeing. Careful to avoid passing out, she continued taking deep breaths while slowly crawling along the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Shortly thereafter, the reverberating road noise and flashing streetlights made her world turn in various directions and she decided to edge off the road in front of a small bed and breakfast. When she reached for her bag, she reasoned that her queasiness might be island fever—-and looking up at the beautiful horizon where blue ocean and late afternoon sunshine sparkled like a beckoning bridge, all she wanted was to run across it–back to her home in California.

  Approaching the door to ring the bell, Penny heard classical music drifting from the foyer of the old island plantation house. A lady wearing a bright floral caftan answered the door.

  “Hi, are you checking in?” she asked with a slightly pretentious, affected tone. Peering through the screen, the retro-garbed woman looked at Penny critically, opening the door and motioning her inside.

  “Yes, I guess so, but I don't have a reservation,” Penny looked around and had a hunch she might have stopped at a snooty and expensive place. The tables and curtains matched each other with a Bird of Paradise pattern of flowers larger and bolder than Christmas geese. Bookshelves overflowed with bestsellers, art books and poetry. Magazine racks and newspapers hung from delicate rattan poles, brimming with all the latest news and gossip. Pumpkin muffins or the aroma of something along the lines of spice cake or gingerbread wafted from the adjoining kitchen.

  “Oh. I thought you were Mrs. Hale from Michigan,” she said, stepping to her desk and picking up her logbook. After a few seconds, she dug out her reading glasses and said, “Let's see,” while placing them on the end of her nose. Then she paused and flipped some pages, “All my ocean view rooms will be gone tonight, but I have a nice lanai room overlooking our courtyard. That includes my island buffet breakfast and our five o'clock wine social. I usually have a two-night policy, is that all right with you?”

  Penny nodded, but she still felt dizzy. “Yeah, that's cool–ah–can I use a restroom?”

  The lady took off her reading glasses, and scrutinized Penny. “Are you feeling okay?” She asked, stabbing at the air towards a small bathroom by the entrance.

  “No, but I'll be right back.” Penny rushed in and slammed the door, hoping The Nutcracker Suite would drown out the horrible noises she was about to make.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Two

  Two plain-clothes officers watched the dealership, through binoculars, from the other side of the highway.

  “Did you see that?” One of them asked with a trace of eager excitement in his voice.

  His blasé older partner answered, “Almost as electrifying as watching surveillance cameras fly like Frisbees, across the showroom.” They both continued staring through their binoculars, even though early morning dampness and the collective breath of the two large men, made viewing out the fogged up windshield almost impossible.

  “Shit, who is that?”

  “I thought A to Z Security cleared everyone out.”

  “Yeah, they were supposed to. Do you think these two are in trouble?”


  “Fist is wanted in like fifty states, what do you think?”

  They watched silently for a while as an older man and his teenage son got out of a truck. The younger man pulled a vacuum cleaner and the older one had a mop and a bucket in his hands. Both of them wore white polo shirts with a company logo and navy blue Dockers.

  “Five AM. Man, this maintenance crew sure starts early.”

  “We going in?”

  “Not yet, ten bucks they won't let them in.”

  “Even money? I'll take that bet.” Pretending to shake hands, they tapped each other's knuckles in a mock ceremonial gesture, but maintained their gaze across the street.

  “Wait a minute…” Another man drove up in a shiny black sedan. The third person wore a suit and tie, and at first glance, they mistook him for a car salesman. “Who is that?”

  “Did the maintenance workers get in?”

  “Yeah, they're inside right now. They're emptying the trashcans already and the smaller guy is vacuuming. Don't worry. I'm good for the money,” he chuckled, his eyes glued to the dealership. He quickly wiped some of the condensation off the passenger window, with a napkin from the Bad Ass Coffee House.

  The guy in the suit sat in his car near the service department. His black car and the early morning shadows made it hard to see into the vehicle. The two cops observed the nervous looking young man adjusting his hair in his rearview mirror.

  “What's that in his hand? Is it smoke?”

  “Settle down, it's coffee and that's steam. Check it out– he's not getting out of his car. Maybe he's waiting for something.”

  “We need to go in.”

  “Not yet–hold on. I don't feel like getting shot.”

  “The guy in the car looks familiar. Are you sure that's coffee?”

  “Yes its coffee, but you're right–shit–he looks familiar because it's the effin' media!”

  “Why? What do you mean? Who alerted the media?”

  “That's that local news guy…” His voice trailed off and expletives stormed from his mouth.

  “Not so loud, I'll call the chief.”

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Three

  The hotel manager leaned over the breakfast table. “I'm so glad you found your dad. He looks so much better.”

  Carl smiled, Tina seemed perplexed but John looked up from his breakfast and said, “Thanks, he spent too much time on the beach.”

  For some strange reason, Ron decided to clarify everything. “He's not really our dad, but we're looking for his daughter.”

  “Oh, sorry, I hope you find her. You look like such a nice happy family. I assumed you were all related.” The manager stretched his neck up to take a quick assessment of the dining room and then bent back down saying, “I hope things return to normal for you very soon. This is a gorgeous place and we want our guests to have the ultimate island experience while visiting.” Realizing he had accidentally dismissed an important family issue, he returned to the subject of finding Carl's daughter. He looked at Carl, “Many people lose their relatives while they're swimming or shopping, but they usually show up when they get hungry. Has she been gone long?”

  Carl put another chocolate macadamia nut into his mouth, letting it slowly melt on his tongue.

  “Not too long,” Ron volunteered.

  John pulled a piece of paper out of his shirt pocket and held it up. “I think I have the name of the person she left with. We'll find her, thanks.” Even though the resort manager showed the utmost care and consideration toward his guests, John felt embarrassed. “You really were helpful the other day. I still can't believe Carl here ended up in the hospital.”

  The manager had been looking up and around while speaking to them. Sometimes his attention wandered to customers who needed coffee, or he became distracted by a possible crisis outside in the lobby that needed special intervention. Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he peeked down at it, punched it a few times and asked, “I'm sorry, what were you saying?” He then glanced down onto their table and saw John's note on the placemat.

  Still embarrassed, John answered quickly, “I just want to thank you for giving me directions to the hospital the other day.”

  Carl, Ron and Tina nodded. Enjoying his chocolate, Carl mumbled, “Yeah, thanks for sending him after me.” His comment induced a sigh from Tina and a smile from Ron.

  “I don't mean to snoop,” the manager said, pointing to John's note, “and I'm just trying to help, but well–I don't know how to say this–that name on your paper there–did you say that's the person who ran off with your daughter?”

  John held it up to the manager's face. “I think so, he's a pilot. Do you know him?”

  The hotel manager placed a hand on John's shoulder, and said, “I know one thing for certain. She's not with him.”

  “How do you know?” John asked, wondering if all of his calls had been a waste of time.

  “Trust me on this–she's not with that guy. Maybe she went shopping or something. Don't worry, she'll turn up,” he said standing up straight and adjusting his tie.

  Carl shook his head in agreement and started chewing on the nut.

  Tina focused her eyes up at the hotel manager and stepped back into her role of queen. With her legendary air of dominance she stated, “You might want to tell us how you know all this, because finding Penny has become a serious issue for everyone sitting here.” The controlling and threatening sound in her voice had Ron wanting to pull her under the table for a quickie. He thought she was so sexy when she wanted something. Sharing a room with all these people made him want her more than ever.

  The manager looked around before he whispered, “That pilot was staying here too and they arrested him yesterday. I'm not supposed to tell you this stuff, but under the circumstances, I want to make sure you're well taken care of.” Then smiling at Tina he said, “You didn't hear it from me, okay?”

  “Arrested?” John looked flabbergasted. “Must not have been the same pilot,” he muttered, staring at the note shaking between his fingers.

  “The police department just texted me a message,” the manager said, retrieving his cell phone. “Yup,” he said, looking at his phone. “Says, right here, Captain Losegg was part of a big sting called 'Operation Penny'.”

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Four

  Sheer gauze curtains hung off the four-poster bed. They fluttered in the warm afternoon breeze that opened to a charming courtyard fountain. The fountain tinkled with dancing drops of water, lulling her to sleep. The fairy tale setting looked like it had flown right out of one of her imaginary dreams, she thought, before nodding off for a nap.

  A few hours later, Penny felt refreshed. She was ready for the wine and cheese social that Beverly, the owner had mentioned earlier. After a warm bath in the claw foot tub, she wrapped herself in a fluffy white robe and agonized about what to wear. The dusty shorts and the beach cover-up/dress Dan bought her were the only options beside Happy's yellow muumuu. Deciding on the muumuu, she wrapped her belt around her waist, clipped a flower from the vase into her hair and slipped out to visit with the other guests.

  A lavish spread of fruits, cheeses and crackers accompanied a variety of wines and sodas on the veranda, where couples were chatting and listening to a harpist perform mystical music.

  Beverly ran up to Penny. “Oh I'm so glad you could join us, are you feeling better?” She had an apron over her caftan and her hair pulled into a tight bun.

  “Yes, thanks, much, much better.” Penny smiled, following her inside where warm appetizers and chips filled small tables next to a Christmas tree.

  “Let me get you something to drink. Would you like wine or soda?”

  Penny looked at the various options spread out on a bed of ice, and selected a lemon-lime soda. Beverly handed her an etched crystal glass with a pineapple motif.

  “I'm sorry I seemed so flustered when you arrived,” Beverly said, sitting on the couch near a fireplace and patting the adja
cent armchair. “Have a seat,” she said, “I've been very busy with some folks from New Zealand.”

  “It's cool, I showed up unexpectedly,” Penny replied, dropping ice into her glass and taking a seat.

  “Yes, well normally I'm okay with pressure filled situations, but these people have become a media nightmare,” she whispered.”

  “Really?” Penny seemed surprised. “I know about media nightmares and pressure-filled situations too. I work for the Globe in California.”

  “Oh not you too, is that why you're here?” She frowned.

  “No, no, I'm strictly on vacation. Besides, I work as a graphic artist–not a reporter.”

  “An artist?” She asked, looking relieved. “Oh, good, then I'll introduce you. His wife is some sort of scientist and he's an artist. You'll have a lot to talk about.” Seeing the couple approach, Beverly continued to whisper, “They're actually very pleasant. It's just with all the television stations following their every move…” She stopped talking and stood up. “Ilona–I mean Dr. Okos, this is our newest guest, Penny. Penny, this is Dr. Okos, and that gentleman there is her husband, Stephen Okos. They're both from New Zealand. Dr. Okos is doing volcanic research and her husband is an artist.”

  Penny stood and said, “Nice to meet you,” and shook Dr. Okos' hand. Meanwhile, Beverly decided to check on something in the kitchen. Penny took a sip of her soda.

  “It's nice to meet you too.” The doctor said, staring at Penny, her mouth slightly agape. “Stephen, turn around, you have to meet this young lady.” She tapped her husband's back and he quickly swung around, bumping his wife.

  “What? I'm in the middle of a serious…” he immediately stopped, inhaled and appeared shocked about meeting Penny. His thick silvery hair stood like antennae in various directions, probably from wearing his hat all day. The warm, intelligent, blue eyes twinkled like pictures she had seen of a gentle St. Nicholas, but at this moment, he looked completely and utterly confused and dumbfounded.