Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “Yes, and about making love, I was looking forward to it. You’ve been patient way too long, and now I can’t wait any longer.”

  Dewey held the phone away from his ear and looked at it for several seconds before he answered, “Honey, you’ve made me a happy man. I’ll get back to you on with my arrival time. I’m speechless at the moment, you’ll have to carry the conversation.”

  “I have much to accomplish before Friday. I’ll have George and Annie come over and make sure everything is secure for the weekend once the crew leaves on Friday. They obviously will know we are going away together,” Layla said with a laugh.

  “Tell them. They’ve wanted us together for a long time. They’ll be happy. They both know that I fell in love with you at their home. My god, that was almost a year ago. That doesn’t seem possible.”

  “Was it that long ago? You’re right, so much has happened since then. My divorce, moving to New York, going with you, Annie, and George on vacation, ending up here, buying Mr. Soo’s former home, and this remodeling. I can’t believe so much good came from so much bad.”

  “Funny, that’s how it seems, doesn’t it? Kyle and Kim coming to Hawaii to get their award, a storm, and the murders. All I know is that it brought us together,” Dewey said.

  “I just remembered I was going shopping with Fiona on Saturday. I’m going to tell her you and I will be going away for a long weekend. She’ll be very happy for us. We’ve become friends, and she’s a hoot. She told me the story of how she snared Ned. It was very exotic. It may surprise you to know, but she is crazy in love with him and he with her. In fact, they are very touchy-feely with each other. Mr. Soo and I were at Annie and George’s for a cookout yesterday evening, and Ned and Fiona were there too. I was surprised at how lovingly they treated each other.”

  “Wait a minute. Did you just say Ned and Fiona were at Annie and George’s with you and Mr. Soo for a cookout?”

  “Yes, we had a great time. Everyone talked about goofy things they did in their youth. That Fiona was a wild thing, but she had a plan and she kept her focus. Got her degree in interior design, was good enough for the Italian Olympic shooting team, and when she set her eye on Ned, he was a goner. It was a fun evening, a lot of laughter.”

  “Somehow I’m surprised that Annie and George enjoyed Fiona. You know what George always called her?”

  “I believe he has changed his mind about Fiona. In fact, after hearing Fiona’s stories and seeing how demonstrative she and Ned were toward each other is when I began to think of us being together. It seemed that everyone had someone they loved. Yet here I was, an ocean away from you. I spent most of this morning and afternoon trying to come up with a way I could entice you to visit without my home being finished, and here you came to my rescue.”

  Dewey shook his head, still uncertain this was his Layla. “I’m sorry we have to wait until Friday, but it’s the soonest I can get away. Don’t worry about telling people of our long weekend. As far as I’m concerned, you can stand in the middle of the street and tell all of Paia.”

  “Friday is fine. That will give me time to get myself looking feminine again. I need a haircut, a manicure, and a pedicure. I’ve been so busy with the house, I’m looking pretty ragged. If it’s all the same with you, I’ll just keep it to a few about our weekend plans,” Layla said.

  They ended their conversation with Dewey telling Layla he would call her back with his arrival time on Friday and she assuring him she would be waiting at the airport when his plane arrived.

  Layla went into the kitchen and began to assemble a casserole when Mr. Soo returned from his walk. “Layla, have you called Dewey?”

  “Yes, we just finished.”

  “I hope you gave him my best wishes.”

  “I always do, and he asked about you as well. I have some surprising news for you. Dewey is flying in on Friday, and he and I are going to spend a weekend together at the Four Seasons.”

  Mr. Soo went to Layla and placed her hand between both of his. “I could not be happier for both of you. I believe you two will share many wonderful years together, and this will be your beginning.”

  “Thank you. I think you are right.” Layla smiled fondly at him.

  After dinner, Layla placed a call to the Boones. “I have a couple of things I want to talk to you both about.”

  “Let me get Annie on the extension.” George called out for Annie to pick up the extension.

  “All set, what’s going on?” George asked.

  “First, if you can come over tomorrow, I have another counter full of stuff for you to go through.”

  “Great,” they both said.

  “Now I hope you both are sitting down,” Layla said with a slight laugh. “Dewey is flying in on Friday, and we are spending a long weekend together at the Four Seasons.”

  “Well, about damn time,” said George. “I was beginning to wonder if you two were ever going to get serious.”

  “I’m so happy for you both,” Annie said. “I feel this will be the beginning of a relationship that will last.”

  “Thank you, and I agree with you. Could I ask both or one of you to make sure my house is locked on Friday and opened on Monday, if you’re going to be available, that is? I’ll be home sometime Monday afternoon.”

  “We will be glad to do that for you. We’ll get keys from you tomorrow,” George said.

  “Hello, Fiona here,” she said, answering her cell phone.

  “Hi, Fiona, it’s Layla, and I desperately need your help.”

  “What’s happened?” Fiona asked, anxiety in her voice.

  “I’m picking up Dewey at the airport Friday morning, and we are spending a long weekend at the Four Seasons. I took an inventory of my appearance, and I look terrible. I need a manicure, pedicure, facial, waxing, haircut, and a massage. Can you arrange some of that for both of us? And whatever you want is my treat.”

  “Did you say you’re spending this coming weekend with Dewey?”

  “Yes, finally,” Layla said.

  “Thank god. When a woman drools over two gay men, I begin to worry about her mental state. I can help. I’ll make arrangements for us to have the works on Wednesday with the exception of the haircut. One of my best girlfriends is retired from a very high-end salon, and she is a marvel at cutting hair. I’ll arrange for us to go over to her house on Thursday, and she can take care of your hair. Your color is terrific. The sun has bleached it out beautifully, but it does look like you are somewhere between a long and short style without any shaping.”

  “I knew I could count on your help. Thank you so much. I want to look fetching when I meet Dewey’s plane.”

  “You shall, my dear. Maybe we should get you some lovely underwear for the upcoming occasion?”

  “You’re right, and a few other sexy things to wear for dinners. I’m grateful you’re looking out for me, and Dewey will be too!”

  “I’ll get back with you tomorrow and give you all the details. Sleep well tonight and have erotic dreams,” Fiona said, ringing off.

  * * *

  Ned looked wide-eyed at Fiona. “Did you just say Dewey and Layla were going away for a weekend?”

  “Can’t believe it myself. She really needs to get laid.”

  “Fiona!” Ned said, gawking at his wife.

  “And poor Dewey. He must be horny as hell after all this time, waiting for her to come around,” Fiona said, walking over to the counter stool where Ned sat.

  “Fiona, there are still times when you amaze me. I never thought about the situation,” Ned said, putting his arms around his wife’s waist.

  “That’s because when it comes to sexual things, I’m quite aware. I’ve always been keenly aware of sexual situations.”

  “I know you have, and I’m just the lucky man you chose to share that keen awareness with.”

  * * *

&n
bsp; Annie rushed into the kitchen just as George was hanging up the extension. “George, do you believe it?”

  “I’m going to call Dewey. Get on the extension.”

  “Honey, do you think you should?”

  “Sure,” George said, grinning, “he may need some guidance.”

  “Oh brother,” Annie said as she left to go to an extension phone.

  George dialed Dewey’s cell number, surprised that Dewey answered immediately. “Layla, is that you?”

  “Sorry, it’s me, George Boone.”

  “George, I thought it might be Layla calling back.”

  “You afraid she was going to back out on your upcoming weekend?”

  “She called you guys all ready? Good, then she was serious. Honestly, I still can’t believe this all happened so quickly after so long a time. She actually was the one that wanted us to get together sooner rather than wait until she had her home completed. I’m going to make it all happen this coming weekend.”

  “Now, Dewey, let me make a suggestion,” chimed in George. “Send her a bunch of red roses so that she gets them tomorrow. She’ll be at her house working in the kitchen. That’ll thrill her.”

  “George, that’s so romantic of you,” Annie said admiringly.

  “Honey, I’m a very romantic guy.”

  “I’ll call the florist right after we hang up. Three or four dozen red roses should be plenty, don’t you think?”

  “No more than three. You want to be sure she can carry them back to Mr. Soo’s,” Annie said, chuckling.

  “Annie, could you please hang the extension up? I want to discuss something man-to-man with Dewey.”

  “Oh, for heaven’s sakes, I’m hanging up now,” said Annie, then she quietly walked into the kitchen behind George.

  “Dewey, just wanted to remind you, don’t forget protection.”

  “When I returned from Maui after the storm, I bought a box of condoms and put a sticky note on them that said, For Layla Only. That box traveled with us on vacation and to Maui and back. Believe me, I won’t forget to take it this time,” said Dewey.

  “If you have time before you go back to Utah, stop by and say a quick hello. Annie and I would love to see you.”

  “I would like to see you both and Mr. Soo too. I’ll fit that into my scheduling. I really do miss all of you,” Dewey said with sincerity.

  When George hung up the phone, he turned and found Annie leaning against the wall behind him; he jumped, startled. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “I heard everything on your end of the conversation, but I’m dying to know what Dewey said,” Annie said, grinning.

  “Can’t we guys have any secrets?”

  “Sure you can. I just want to know what Dewey said when you told him to take protection. Is that asking too much?”

  “Annie, that’s a man thing,” George said with a frown, “but I suppose I might as well tell you or you’ll bug me all night long.” George repeated his entire conversation with Dewey.

  “Thank you, darling, and I’m especially excited to hear Dewey will stop by to say a quick hello on his way to the airport. Let’s celebrate. Fix us one of your special brandy Mai Tais,” Annie said, smiling sweetly, trying to get back on George’s good side.

  “Can you scrape up something to munch on?”

  “No problem, honey,” Annie said as she began rummaging through the refrigerator.

  Annie and George were sitting on the back lanai enjoying their drinks and snacks when Ned came out on his front lanai with a cup of coffee.

  “Looks like Fiona has banished Ned out of the kitchen. Ask him to come over for a drink,” Annie said to George.

  “Ned, come on over. We’re having brandy Mai Tais. We’re celebrating,” George called out, shielding his mouth toward Mr. Soo’s direction.

  “That sounds great.” Ned made his way over to the Boones’ as George went inside to make him a drink.

  “I imagine you and Fiona have heard the good news about Layla and Dewey’s weekend plans by now,” asked Annie.

  “Fiona is thrilled. Layla asked her for assistance in getting herself looking feminine again, and she’s anxious to tackle that project. She’s fixing us a healthy dinner after all we ate last night. She will have a fit when she sees I’m over here having a cocktail and eating snacks,” Ned said, laughing.

  George brought Ned his drink; after a long draw on the straw, Ned said, “This is terrific! I’ve never had a brandy Mai Tai before.”

  Fiona stepped out on their lanai and spotted Ned across the street. “Ned Keller, are you drinking and eating too?”

  “Busted! Lock up and come on over. You’ve got to try one of George’s special brandy Mai Tais. It’s a celebration.”

  “Did you say a brandy Mai Tai?”

  “They’re excellent. Come on over,” Ned coaxed.

  After locking up, Fiona made her way across the street. George offered her a freshly made drink. “Yum, this is so good. Why haven’t we ever had something like this before?”

  “Our daughter hates rum, and a friend introduced her to using brandy in its place. Since the cost of a good brandy is considerably more than good rum, we only have brandy Mai Tais on special occasions. Naturally, the weekend plans of Layla and Dewey are cause for celebration,” Annie said.

  “I agree,” said Fiona. “Annie, weren’t you worried about Layla this afternoon the way she drooled over Wade and Herb?”

  “She was admiring lovely male bodies. They are quite a pair of lookers.”

  “Just a minute here,” George said, frowning. “Ned and I aren’t exactly out-of-shape old men.”

  “Of course, you aren’t, darling. I’m speaking from Layla’s perspective. I think she got turned on.”

  “I’m sure it’s been over two years since she had sex, and well, frankly, all things considered, how good could Kyle have been?” asked Fiona.

  “Fiona!” exclaimed both Ned and Annie, while George burst out laughing.

  “Fiona, I like that you come right out and say what the rest of us are thinking.”

  “Thank you, George. I’ve never been one to hold my tongue,” Fiona said with a nod.

  “Not to change the subject but, honey, Donnie asked if you will accompany me tomorrow when he and I meet at the Visitors Center.”

  “No, no, no, I’m not getting involved with any those projects of his that end up consuming so much time. One member of this family should be enough.”

  “He wanted to consult you on a design aspect, and like he said, the best interior designer on the island is living just a few steps from the center. The least he could do was ask for your input.”

  “Donnie actually said that about me?” Fiona asked pleased.

  Under the table, Annie nudged George’s thigh and smiled, knowing that Fiona had succumbed to Donnie’s flattery.

  “He certainly did, so will you join me tomorrow?” Ned asked.

  “OK, dear, I’ve got to see what Donnie has up his sleeve.”

  “George, I hear you had a great input on the center. Donnie said almost all the interior design was spun from original ideas you offered. How do you think things are shaping up?”

  “To tell you the truth, since the first time I offered Donnie my ideas, I haven’t been back to see how things have progressed.”

  “Join us tomorrow. You will be surprised how well things are coming along. Annie, why don’t you make it a foursome?” Ned asked.

  “Thanks, Ned, but I’m just not ready yet. Of course, I will visit the center, but it will have to be on my own time. Thank you for asking.”

  To lighten the mood, Fiona lifted her drink. “I would like to propose a toast to Layla and Dewey.”

  “Fiona, keep it respectable,” warned Ned.

  Fiona looked at Ned and smiled. “To Layla and Dewey
, may this be the start of much happiness for them both. Personally, I hope they return with wide grins on their faces.”

  “Hear, hear” was heard from those around the table.

  CHAPTER 49

  Layla was working in the kitchen when Chris interrupted her. “Layla, there’s something I need to talk with you about.”

  “Sure, Chris, what’s up?”

  “By the end of Wednesday, all the wood restoration will be complete, and we’ll be ready to start on the floors. Where do we begin?”

  “I’ll call Fiona. I don’t know what she has planned with the other contractors.”

  Layla pulled out her cell phone and dialed Fiona. “Fiona, it’s Layla. Would it be possible for you to come over? Chris and I need to discuss something with you about doing the floors.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “Fiona is on her way, and we’ll let her figure out where we go from here.”

  There was a knock on the screen, and Chris let Annie and George into the kitchen.

  “Hi, folks. Chris, I want to tell you what’s going to be happening. I’ll be leaving Friday morning, and I won’t be back until Monday afternoon. I’ll leave you the Boones’ phone number, and if there is any problem, please call them or Fiona. The air-conditioning people will start work on Monday, so there might be quite a few folks around. Remember, any problems call the Boones or Fiona.”

  “Glad to see you taking some time away. You’ve been working really hard,” said Chris.

  There was another knock on the door. Chris went to the door and exclaimed, “Holy cow! Who gets those?”

  “Someone named Layla,” came a voice hidden behind three-dozen long-stemmed red roses.

  “Layla, come and get your flowers.”

  “My gosh!” exclaimed Layla as she lifted the huge vase of roses over to the kitchen counter. She removed the card from its holder and read, “Layla, Friday! Love, Dewey.”

  Annie went over to Layla. “Lovely.”

  “I’ve had flowers before but never in this abundance.”