Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “What a wonderful invention! Thank you, Layla, this is just what I need. On moonless nights, it gets quite dark out here. This is a perfect gift. I think you are too tired to fix dinner. Let’s walk to Otis’s.”

  “I’m starving. I want a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate malt. Let’s take the car. The only other way is for you to carry me.”

  “Taking the car is good idea,” said Mr. Soo.

  CHAPTER 42

  On Monday morning, Layla was at Fiona’s, loading up her station wagon with all the restoration supplies that had arrived. She drove them over to her house where Chris helped with the unloading.

  “There’s a lot here. Will we be needing it all?”

  “Probably not, but I would rather have more on hand than not enough and have to wait for another shipment. I will have to do the cleaning/restoring on the kitchen cabinets, and that will take some of the supplies.”

  Chris and Josie spent most of the morning learning the intricate part of mixing cleaners and how to use them on wood without damage. Marty selected his wood for the dowels and began crafting the dowels using equipment he had set up on the front lanai.

  The day flew by; Chris and Marty were getting ready to leave but stayed until Layla had the house closed up then were on their way.

  * * *

  Two weeks had passed since work started on Layla’s home. Marty decided he would stain the frames that Josie had done such a meticulous job cleaning. Fiona had purchased from her Hilo contact the exact shade everyone decided upon.

  Marty began the slow process of staining, rubbing, waiting for the coat to dry into the wood, then repeating the process several times until the correct shade was obtained. He had assembled quite a few newly stained frame pieces, and he looked at them pensively. He asked Layla, “Do you have anything in mind for the frame pieces?”

  Layla led him into the living room and said maybe shelves on one of the long sidewalls.

  “That would be a pity. You would be covering up so much of the carvings by putting things on the shelves. I was thinking I could make a beautiful large oval coffee table, and then a single sheet of glass could top it. That way, none of the frames would be harmed if something was spilled on the table, and yet the carvings would still be visible. What do you think?”

  “That sounds wonderful, but I’ve purchased a huge sectional that will require a huge table. Fiona could give you the proper measurements, and you could then tell if you would be able to construct a table large enough for the sectional.”

  “Definitely, we will need Fiona’s input. Will you contact her?”

  “Consider it done, I’ll call right now.” Layla dialed Fiona’s and told her of Marty’s idea. Fiona said she would see them after lunch.

  When Fiona arrived, Layla explained Marty’s idea of a coffee table using the refurbished frames. Fiona thought it was a genius idea and flashed Marty an admiring smile. Layla explained she told Marty is was an unusually large sectional and would require a large coffee table. Marty said it would be possible, but he would like the measurement of the sofa.

  Fiona told him she had the measurements back at her home and she could draw a fairly comprehensive diagram of the sofa, but he would have to imagine it in the exact dimensions. “Follow me home and I’ll get the information for you. You can tell Ned all about your visit to my hometown during the war. He and I have visited there several times. We took our sons there several years ago.”

  “That will do nicely. I’ve never met your husband, lucky man that he is,” Marty said as he followed Fiona out of the house.

  “She’s a hoot,” said Chris. “I have to admire a woman that uses her charm on Gramps to get him to do things without complaint. He can be an old devil when he decides to get testy.”

  “Fiona sure works her magic on him. I think most men are a tad afraid of her. She can be fierce, but she also is a charmer, and as her client, I can tell you she will do anything to please. I’ve learned to appreciate Fiona.”

  As they were closing up for the night, Marty was returning from Fiona’s. He had several papers in his hand. “That Ned is a swell guy. He sat down with the drawing and specs Fiona gave him, and he measured everything out then made an excellent diagram. The table I envision will now fit perfectly in front of that sofa. It will be an outstanding addition to your home, Ms. Layla.”

  When Layla got to Mr. Soo’s, she spent about half an hour preparing a casserole, deciding she could not take one more night eating out. She would toss a salad before they were ready to sit down. First, she wanted to call Dewey and report on the great coffee table caper that Marty was planning. Layla was finding it important she phone Dewey and report on progress more than once a week. So whenever something out of the ordinary occurred, she made a call.

  Layla anxiously told Dewey about the massive coffee table Marty was designing using the beautifully restored frames. Dewey suggested she take photos with her cell, saying they might be a nice keepsake for a “before” and “after” of her new home.

  “Dewey, your thought process is ahead of mine. I would have wished I had done that once everything was completed. What would I do without you?”

  “Well, at this point in our relationship, I’m more curious what you would do to me,” Dewey said with a chuckle.

  “I can’t wait for my place to be finished, and you’ll see what I’ll do to you,” Layla promised.

  “Huh, please tell me I heard you right.”

  “You did, since you’ve been gone, I’ve realized now very much I miss you, and after that kiss at the airport, I realized we have a future as a couple. I can hardly wait for that future to begin.”

  “We don’t have to wait for your new home to be completed. The Four Seasons is just on the other side of the island, and they have wonderful, romantic accommodations.”

  “That would be lovely, except I want so much to show you the finished product. For us to begin our future together in that house, guess I want your approval on what I’ve accomplished.”

  “Honey, you’ll always have my approval. You don’t need to prove anything to me.”

  “I know that. I suppose I really want to prove something to myself. That I can take on a project of this proportion on my own and complete it successfully, a personal project, not just something for business. I’ve always had so many personal things done for me. Doing this on my own is very important to my own self-esteem.”

  “The minute it’s complete, I’ll be there.”

  “I knew you of all people would understand what I’m talking about.”

  They spoke for a bit longer then hung up, promising to call within a few days.

  Charlene looked up as Donnie Munson walked into the sheriff’s office, bearing doughnuts. “Yummy, a special occasion?”

  “Just stopped by say hello and thought you folks might enjoy some of these great doughnuts. I used to eat a couple a day, but lately, things have been so hectic, I’ve sort of lost my appetite.”

  “Thanks, Donnie. I can assure you these will be enjoyed. You do look like you’ve lost weight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you thinner.”

  “I don’t remember when I’ve ever been this thin. Stress can be a weird thing. Some people eat and gain weight. I’ve lost all desire to eat. MayLee said I’m going to have to buy all new clothes ’cause she can’t take them in anymore,” Donnie said, shaking his head.

  “Let me see if the sheriff is available.” After speaking with the sheriff, Charlene told Donnie to go back to his office.

  “Donnie, you’re wasting away. Are you feeling poorly?”

  “No, it’s stress. That Visitors Center has turned out to be more daunting that I dreamed. That, plus we’re having to foreclose on some good people lately, and I’m sick about that.” Donnie slumped down in the chair across from the sheriff’s desk.

  “Donnie, you need to get away for a few day
s, something to relieve that stress. You don’t want to find yourself in the hospital.”

  They chatted a bit longer, then Donnie checked his watch, saying, “Sheriff, I’ve got to get to the bank.”

  “Do you have any idea when the Visitors Center will have its official opening?”

  “I’m hopeful in about three or four months, only about a half year off schedule, but damned, it will be up to code,” Donnie said, raising his voice slightly.

  “Are you lining up your docents?”

  “Not yet. I’m going to enlist the help of the Boones. Between the two of them, they will have a pretty good idea who in Paia would do a good job on a weekly basis. I’ve already hinted that they could help out by training the docents. I think they will be glad to do the training.”

  “We’ve gotten a wonderful, unexpected donation. Hilo Hattie’s in Lahaina is donating all the shirts for the docents and will keep a particular pattern in stock. I just have to get down there and pick out a fabric, then they will make some them up for the volunteer docents. Of course, they will be listed on the donor wall and rightly so.”

  “Why don’t you have MayLee go and have her take Ms. Layla with her? After all, she’s a very capable artist.”

  “I’ll speak with MayLee tonight. She’ll enjoy doing that, and I’ll have her ask Annie also. That might help cement her docent involvement.”

  “Are you doing OK on cash funding?”

  “Yes, a benefactor called about a week ago asking the same question. I told him I was keeping a very detailed expenditure record, and we are holding our own as long as nothing else comes to light. The very next day, he wired $50,000 into the donation account.”

  “Well, that’s got to be Dewey. He’s very generous. You know, he’s pretty sweet on Ms. Layla.”

  “Really, I didn’t know that. I knew she divorced Kyle, but I didn’t know about her and Dewey. Good, he’s a great guy. I’ve really got to be on my way.”

  With that, Donnie went to open the bank.

  CHAPTER 43

  Annie and George sat on the back lanai, enjoying coffee, when they saw Donnie Munson walking their way.

  George said quietly to Annie, “What could Donnie want this early in the morning?”

  “Sorry, folks, to intrude so early, but, Annie, I wanted to speak with you and thought this might be my only spare time before the bank opens. I wanted to ask you and Layla if you would accompany MayLee to Hilo Hattie’s in Lahaina on Friday to select the material for the docents’ shirts. They’re donating the material and are going to make up shirts for the docents. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “What a lovely donation, very thoughtful. I would be honored to join MayLee and Layla,” Annie said. “Did you say this coming Friday?”

  “Yes. Will that day be suitable for you?”

  “That will be great. Have you spoken with Layla?”

  “No. I’m headed to her house next. I see the Elwood’s truck, so I thought she might be over there.”

  “That’s correct. She works with Chris and crew every day.”

  “I’ll have MayLee give you a call this evening, and you can arrange a time for her to pick you and Layla up. I feel confident you ladies will make a much better selection than I would.”

  Donnie left the Boones and walked the short distance to Layla’s. He knocked on the back lanai screen; Chris Elwood came over and opened the screen so Donnie could enter. Donnie said he was looking for Layla, and Chris pointed to the front lanai where she and Marty were looking over pieces of Shoji screen frames.

  With a surprised look on her face, Layla noticed Donnie and worried she might have some type of money problem. “Donnie, how nice to see you. Come for a tour?”

  “No, thank you, Layla. I was wondering if you would be available this coming Friday to go with MayLee and Annie into Lahaina to Hilo Hattie’s. They are donating shirts for the Visitors Center docents and want us to select the fabric. I felt you ladies were more adept at selecting a proper design than I would be, especially you, Layla, with your artistic background.”

  Layla walked back inside and asked Chris if he thought they could get along without her this coming Friday. Chris assured her they would be fine, so she agreed to the outing. She told Donnie she would check with Annie for the time and saw Donnie out and on his way to the bank. She noticed Fiona and Ned having morning coffee on their lanai and walked over to talk with them.

  “Good morning, folks. I’ve been thinking I should begin to have the air conditioner installed, and, Fiona, we need to talk about the two guest bathrooms. The more I look at them, I will need to have some work done. The work could be done while we work on the wood restoration, don’t you think?”

  “Absolutely, it would save time. I’ll go back with you, and we can figure out what to do with those other two bathrooms. I’ve forgotten if they need a lot of work or just a cosmetic touch-up. Ned, can you get in touch with the air-conditioning people and have them come out to give Layla an estimate of cost and time?”

  “Will call this morning. Any time fine with you, Layla?”

  “Yes, just not this Friday, I’ll be away for the day.”

  “I’ll get back with you ladies once I’ve set something up. Are you going over to the house now, Fiona?”

  “I’ll follow Layla back and take notes on what we decide she’ll need for the bathrooms.”

  “Fiona, I’ve made a list of other furniture pieces I’ll be needing. Seems it would be cheaper for me to get everything to the warehouse and shipped all at once instead of just a few pieces at a time.”

  “We’ll have to plan another trip to Oahu.”

  “Can’t wait,” Layla said with a broad grin.

  Back at Layla’s, Fiona began her appraisal of the guest bathrooms. The first bathroom was one shared by two of the bedrooms. “The toilet needs to be replaced, along with the sink and surrounding tiles. Layla, do you realize this floor is linoleum? This has to be original, gads! The shower looks fine, small, but it really is quite nicely retro. The tub is never going to come clean. I think whoever used this facility soaked for hours and never cleaned it properly. Naturally, the room will have to be repainted.”

  “Yikes,” said Layla with a sigh, “well, on to the next one.”

  “This is a smaller bathroom, probably because it wasn’t a shared facility. This too will need a new toilet, tub, floor, sink, and surrounding tiles or whatever type of top you want, new flooring and painting. I think work should begin now. Once Chris is done with the ceilings and starts on the floors, I expect things will go swiftly. It would be wise to have the bathrooms as finished as possible prior to that.”

  “Hi, ladies,” Ned said as he entered the doorway of the small bathroom, “I spoke with the air-conditioning people. They will be out tomorrow at ten to give you an estimate, and I’ll be here to go with them through the house.”

  “Thank you, Ned, that’s terrific. Fiona and I have finished going through both the guest baths. A lot of work has to be done to them, and I want to get things started right away.”

  “You’ll need to have the building inspector people sign off on the installation of toilet or tub replacements, and that can add time to any project. Although building has gone dead because of the economy, the wait has gotten much shorter. That is, if Donnie isn’t having all the inspectors at the Visitors Center,” Ned said with a laugh.

  “Oh no, not the dreaded building inspectors. Poor Donnie, he’s looking quite stressed. He dropped by this morning to ask for a favor, and I believe he has lost about thirty or forty pounds.”

  “You know, I should go over and see if I can help him out with the Visitors Center. This is probably his first time with a contractor, let alone building inspectors.”

  “How thoughtful of you,” Fiona said, kissing Ned on the cheek.

  “Well, ladies, if you don’t need me for anything, I’ll
head over to the bank and talk to Donnie while I’m still in the mood to relinquish some golf time.”

  “No, you go on. Layla and I have more things to work out. Layla, I will call my contractor that does bathroom work for my clients. I’ll see if I can get him here tomorrow afternoon. You and I will have to go over what you want as far as tile and countertops. I would recommend just standard toilets and tubs, nothing fancy that might mean a special time-consuming order.”

  They made their way out to the kitchen area, where Layla had a card table and folding chairs set up. “I’m beginning to get that overwhelmed feeling again, Fiona.”

  “Don’t think that way. This house is going to be full of men working their butts off to give you a beautiful new home. Think of it that way, and you will feel better. Now, I would like to make a suggestion, something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about. Chris is doing great work on the ceilings, in fact, he’s further along than I thought he would be. You should let him finish, and you should begin cleaning the wood on the kitchen cabinets. That way, you can begin to fill them up with eating and cooking items. It will take a couple of weeks of cleaning to get them in pristine condition. What do you think?”

  “Fiona, what would I do without you? I was so engrossed in working with Chris on the ceilings, I never thought about the kitchen cabinets. You’re right. I will start on those tomorrow. I also wanted to go over with you the other furniture I will need to purchase.

  “First off, I want three or four kitchen island bar stools and some type of small kitchen table and chairs for the wall opposite the counter island. For the living room, I thought I was going to use Shoji screen frame pieces to make shelves, but Marty is using those pieces to make the coffee table. I want some type of shelving for books, CDs, photo albums, small art objects, and in the middle of the shelving, a big-screen LCD television. I bought a new Bose music system I’m using at Mr. Soo’s and I’ll bring it here. Next, I need a large chair for the area across from the shelves and next to the front lanai window. I think Marty can make a side table for the chair, so I won’t need that.”