“Ned said there was no service, and nothing is planned. Mrs. Soo was a very private person and basically had no friends in Paia, except maybe Annie and me. The family felt by sending her remains back to be with her parents, they were making her spirit happy.”
“Have you made plans to see Mr. Soo?”
“We’re going over this evening. Ned said he now eats dinner at Otis’s but is home by sunset. We’ll watch for him and then go over. We’ll get his phone number, and you can give him a call.”
“Thanks, George, that would be great. I can get away later this month. I’ll fly over and visit him. I think a lot of Mr. Soo. He’s one of a kind.”
“I’m sure he would appreciate seeing you. We won’t mention anything about you visiting. You can discuss that with him. We’ll phone you later this evening.”
Annie motioned for George to hand her the phone, which was set on speaker mode. “Dewey, it would be wonderful if you could visit. I think that would help Mr. Soo. No matter how it may appear, this has to be a difficult time for him. They were married many years. Can you please phone Layla and tell her what has transpired?”
Dewey checked his watch, saying, “I’ll phone her the minute we hang up. She’ll be upset. She has experienced so much death lately. I’ll be as gentle as possible.”
“Thank you. We’ll get back to you after our visit.”
Hanging up from his call with Annie and George, he phoned Layla. She answered, sounding sleepy.
“Layla, it’s Dewey. I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
“I fell asleep on the sofa. I had a difficult day with my restoration work. I had to redo half of what I did yesterday. The paint did not dry correctly. Had to remix my paints. What’s new?”
“I hate to tell you this, but I just received a call from Annie and George with bad news. Mrs. Soo passed away from a stroke. She did not suffer. Mr. Soo discovered her body after returning from his afternoon outing.”
“Oh no, not another death. How is Mr. Soo doing? Should we go over there? Can you get away? Is there going to be a service?”
Layla had many questions for Dewey, and he addressed them all. After he told her he would be going to Maui for a few days at the end of the month, she told him she would be finished with her restoration project by then and would go with him if that would be possible.
“That would be great. I know Mr. Soo would be happy we both came to visit him. Oh, I forgot to tell you. He has his beachfront home up for sale. He bought that little blue-and-white bungalow across the street from his old home and lives there now.”
“So much has happened so quickly. Have you spoken with him?”
“No, Annie and George are going to visit him this evening after he returns from dinner at Otis’s, then call with his phone number. I’ll call and tell him we’ll come over at the end of the month. I’ll send the plane to pick you up, and we can fly onto Maui together. Does that work for you?”
“Great. Let me know the specific dates. I’ll be through here in about a week.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow with exact dates and Mr. Soo’s new phone number. I’m sure he would like to hear your voice too.”
CHAPTER 27
Mr. Soo’s doorbell rang. He looked out and saw George and Annie; opening the door, he welcomed them inside.
Annie hugged him, saying, “Mr. Soo, I’m sorry we were not here when you lost Mrs. Soo. We’re back now, and if there is anything we can do, please let us know.”
George went up to the small man, putting his large hands on Mr. Soo’s small shoulders, looking him in the eyes. “Mr. Soo, I’m sorry for your loss. We are here for you in any way you may need.”
“Thank you. Invite me over when you grill. Everything else has been finalized. Let me show you my new home. It is filled with sunlight, modern furniture, and best of all, I have a bed to put these old bones on, no more sleeping on a mat.” He ushered them around his new home; after the tour, they sat on his lanai, which provided a peekaboo view of the ocean.
“It’s quite lovely here, Mr. Soo. Your view isn’t as dynamic as your previous home, but I like the cozy feel,” Annie said.
“Thank you, Annie. I feel good here, more freedom. May I offer you something to drink? I have iced tea and beer.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a beer.”
“Annie, what about you? Sorry, don’t have any coffee.”
“I would love a glass of iced tea.”
Mr. Soo went inside to fetch the drinks.
Annie turned to George. “Honey, Mr. Soo looks younger. This is horrible to say, but Mrs. Soo’s death has freed him up, so to speak.”
“Got to agree with you. He actually looks happy, no more complaining about his wife trying to kill him.”
“George, if I go first, you had better not look that happy.”
“If you go before me, I don’t think I would last long. I can’t imagine my life without you,” George said seriously.
“Thank you, my love. I feel the same about you.” Annie got up and planted a kiss on her husband’s forehead.
Mr. Soo returned with the drinks. “What are you two doing? Smooching the minute my back is turned?” he said jokingly.
“You know us, Mr. Soo. We can’t keep our hands off each other even after all these years,” George said.
“By the way, have you kept the same phone number so we can let you know when to come over for a cookout?” Annie questioned.
“No, I got a cell phone, and I’ve learned to text. Been texting my grandkids like crazy, they love it,” he said, laughing. “I’ll write the number down for you. I don’t want to miss any good meals!” He wrote the number down, saying, “Be sure to give the number to Dewey and Layla. I can text them too.”
They spent another hour chatting about their recent vacation, then Annie and George excused themselves, saying they had to go home and get some sleep.
At home, George phoned Dewey with the latest information on Mr. Soo, including his new texting ability. Dewey said he would phone Mr. Soo directly; he thought it was just like him to discover texting. George finished his conversation and went into the bedroom.
“I’m going to take a shower. I’ve unpacked all our toiletry items and put them back where they belong. If I’m not out of the shower soon, come get me. I’ve fallen asleep.”
“Thanks for unpacking the stuff, and don’t fall asleep.”
Annie finished her shower, George followed, and soon both were sound asleep.
Layla answered on the first ring. “Dewey, I was waiting for your call.”
“First off, here’s Mr. Soo’s new phone number. It’s a cell phone, and he’s found the joy of texting, so be ready to receive some text messages. I just got a call from Alice Copeland, head of our research and development department. They have made a terrific breakthrough in the digital process. A meeting with a Japanese auto dealer, scheduled for this week, has been postponed until the end of the month so the new process can be incorporated into the presentation in Tokyo, and I’m doing the presentation. It’s a multimillion-dollar proposal. Plus, it’s excellent exposure for our digital process. I’ve e-mailed my staff that beginning the second Friday of next month, for ten days, I’ll be unavailable. Can you change your schedule, and I’ll fly to New York get you on that Friday, and we’ll fly to Maui from New York?”
“Like I said, I have nothing on my agenda, no work assignments, and certainly, no social plans. Remember, my friend Judy? I told you she was going to a spa while we were on our trip. She went to one that tries to get you into a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise. She met this terrific man. They have been dating full time, and I think it’s serious. He lost his wife to cancer two years ago, and he has a nine-year-old son. She told me he actually wants to remarry and have another child. She’s silly happy and I’m happy for her, but once again, I’m the old third wheel. I don’t b
egrudge her any happiness, but damn it, I’m lonely. Now you’re my only close friend, and you’re so far away.”
“I’ll send the plane early, and you spend time here with Agnes and her cooking.”
“I’ll have to finish my restoration project, but it’s almost done now. Then I’ll close up the house and arrange everything to be handled by the trust while I’m gone. I can visit before we leave for Maui, if that is doable with both you and Agnes.”
“Agnes is looking forward to your next visit. She has a couple of new dishes she wants to try. Layla, I’m sorry you’re so lonely. I wish I were there right now to give you a big hug. Honey, you have been through so much in such a short time, you’ve lost a child, been involved in a gruesome double murder, and lost a husband to another man. Look how much stronger you are now than when you first arrived on Maui. You’ve come so far. Hurry and get things finished up and call me. I’ll send the plane.”
“Dewey, you always make me feel better,” Layla said, crying.
“Then why, for heaven’s sakes, are you crying?”
“Because you’ve made me feel good about myself again.”
“Is this one of those times when men say they’ll never understand women?”
“Yep, I do believe it is.”
“I’m going to phone Mr. Soo now and tell him of our plans. I won’t talk too long, then you can call. He’ll be happy we called and that we’re coming for a visit. I’ll call George and Annie too and let them know we’ll be seeing them soon.”
“Great. I’m feeling good again. See how happy you make me. Give George and Annie my love.”
Mr. Soo answered his ringing phone. “Soo here.”
“Hi, Mr. Soo, it’s Dewey. Good to hear your voice. I want to extend to you my sympathy on Mrs. Soo’s death. I know sometimes your life together was difficult, but you were married a long time and she was the mother of your children.”
“You’re right, Dewey. I often said bad things, but she was a good woman. I never told you, but when we married, she was only thirteen. My parents paid her parents to marry me, and it was only two years later when we came to Hawaii. She was pregnant, alone in a foreign country, didn’t speak the language, and was married to a man who worked eighteen- to twenty-hour days. It was difficult on her. Hawaii was making great strides forward, but she was still a child in China at heart. She had every luxury money could buy, but she never wanted them.”
“That’s some story, Mr. Soo. Did she learn English?”
“Yes, our sons insisted, but she would seldom speak it, except when the sons and grandchildren came to visit. She spoke Chinese to me and English to Annie and George. She liked Annie’s no-nonsense nature coupled with her gentle manner, and she liked George’s grin. She felt safe around them. I wish for both of us, our lives had been different. She was a good soul but a scared child at heart. I would have liked to fall in love on my own, which is what I let our children do, against Mrs. Soo’s wishes.”
“Mr. Soo, you are a wise and good man. I called to ask if you would like some visitors. Layla and I are able to come for a visit starting the second Friday of next month. Layla can probably stay with George and Annie, but I thought I could hang out with you.”
“Dewey, I would welcome your visit. It would be my honor to have you in my new home. You understand, I don’t cook, but Otis’s is right up the hill, and his cooking is getting even better, now that I’m a regular at dinner.”
“No problem, and I imagine George and Annie will be grilling for us, don’t you?”
“Yes, I imagine they will. I’m anxious for you and Layla to see my new home. I’m a texter now, so I’ll be texting you often, if that meets with your approval?”
“My schedule and workload doesn’t allow me much time for texting, but you go ahead and send your messages, and I’ll get back to you when I can,” Dewey said, hoping that would deter some of Mr. Soo’s texting. “I’ll call Annie and George now and let them know our plans and get back to you with the exact date. We’re testing a new video game. I’ll bring it for you to try out. I would value your opinion.”
“How exciting! I can now play my video games as much as I want to. Mrs. Soo only allowed me so much time each evening. I like them, keeps my mind alert. I’ll be waiting to hear your scheduled arrival time. Goodbye, Dewey, thank you for calling, and I would wait until tomorrow to call George and Annie. When they left here, they were going to get some much needed sleep.”
“Thanks for reminding me. Layla and I got involved with our plans to visit, we forgot how tired Annie and George must be. I’ll phone them tomorrow. Take care, Mr. Soo.”
Mr. Soo was putting Dewey’s personal cell number into his contact list and jumped as his phone rang again. “Soo here.”
“Hello, Mr. Soo, it’s Layla. I know Dewey phoned you to let you know we would be coming for a visit, but I’m calling to extend my condolences on the loss of your wife.”
“Thank you, Layla. It was sudden and unexpected. She did not suffer, a blessing for the family. I was so pleased to hear you and Dewey would be visiting. I miss you both. I got to know Dewey, and for some reason, he likes this old man.”
“He sure does, Mr. Soo. He thinks the world of you. We are both anxious to visit with you and see Annie and George again. We had such a fabulous vacation together.”
“They left not long ago and were kind enough to tell me about your vacation adventures. You and Annie took a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. That sounds frightening.”
“We never would admit it to George or Dewey, but it was frightening. We were on very narrow paths with nothing on one side but a drop-off into the canyon. Those mules were great. They went along like it was nothing to them. I guess they don’t have a sense of falling like Annie and I did. We were glad to get back at the lodge, but like I said, you can’t ever tell George or Dewey. If they had known how scary it was, we would have never been allowed to take the tour.”
“You are mistaken. If you or Annie wanted to do something, neither George nor Dewey would stop you for fear it would make you unhappy. Those two are very concerned about keeping you both happy. You know, Dewey has been goofy over you since he first saw you during the storm.”
“That’s what Annie told me, but currently, all I want from Dewey is his wonderful friendship. I’m not able to envision any type of relationship with a man at this point in time, except friendship. I do believe Dewey understands that.”
“It’s wise of him to realize this, and one day, you will see what a relationship other than friendship you two could have.”
“Who knows what one day will bring? Only time will tell.”
They discussed various things about his new home, the upcoming visit, and her work in New York. Layla made sure he had her cell phone number and told Mr. Soo to text her whenever he wanted. She ended the conversation, saying she was going to call George and Annie, asking if it was OK if she stayed with them during her visit.
Mr. Soo told her what he told Dewey: call them tomorrow; they had left his house to go home and get some sleep.
Layla thanked him, saying she had forgotten they had just returned from Los Angeles. She ended their call with the promise to see him soon.
The next day Layla called Dewey and said she would like to call Annie and George, asking to stay with them during their visit. Dewey was glad she had offered, feeling it would be awkward for him to ask if Layla could stay at their home.
Layla waited until late afternoon to make her call. “Hello, Annie, it’s Layla. Are you folks getting rested? How was your week with your family?”
“Layla, good to hear your voice. We are getting rested. Only neither of us is looking forward to starting our classes tomorrow. Let me tell you about the family visit. It wore us both down to blithering fools.” Annie went on to relate the particulars of their visit with the children and grandkids.
“I’m
not sure I could have survived all those excursions on top of our week in Utah. You guys are tough.”
“It’s beyond us why every time we visit the kids, they think we have to go to theme parks, water parks, or whatever. We would simply enjoying visiting with our family.”
“Let me make a wild guess. When you visit these places, you and George pay all the expense, right?”
“Yes, that could be the reason we are always treated to those excursions. Maybe we will have to put a stop to that in order for us to survive any future visits.”
“Annie, I called to ask if you could stand to have me for a house guest for seven to ten days next month.”
“Are you kidding? That would be terrific. You’re actually visiting Maui next month?”
“Not only am I visiting but so is Dewey. We decided we would come and pay our respects to Mr. Soo. We both spoke with him, and he was delighted. Dewey will be staying at Mr. Soo’s home, and if it’s all right with you and George, I’ll stay with you folks.”
“Goodness, you don’t need to ask. You’re always welcome in our home. I can’t wait to tell George. He’s jog-walking on the beach right now, and I know he will be excited when he hears. Do you have an exact date and time?”
“No, not exactly. I’m going to stay at Dewey’s a few days before we leave. He has a big project in Tokyo, and once he returns, we will figure out when we can come to Maui. In the meantime, I’ll probably gain a ton eating Agnes’s cooking. Yum, I can’t wait for that.”
“Be sure and bring the pictures you took on our trip and I’ll have ours back. I’m having extra sets made for you and Dewey.”
“I also had extra sets made.”
A few minutes after Annie hung up, George walked in.
“You look pooped,” Annie said, handing him a bottle of water.
“I’m still far from recovered from visiting with the kids.” George sighed. “I think this is the first time in a long time I’m feeling my age.”
“We were put through too much, and I assure you I will not allow those kids to do that again. I’m little pissed that they treated us like a free ticket to where they wanted to go.”
Maui Murders Page 16
