Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  There was another knock on the door, and Fiona entered.

  “My god,” she said, walking directly to the flowers. “I’m assuming these are from Dewey.”

  “Aren’t they beautiful and so many?” Layla said, beaming.

  “Let’s see the card,” Fiona said, taking the card from Layla. After reading the greeting, she turned to Layla, saying, “Maybe we won’t need to bother with the fancy underwear after all.”

  Layla smiled weakly at Fiona. Chris saw Fiona and said, “Fiona, we need your input on where we should start on the floors. Josie and I will be able to begin that work on Thursday.”

  Layla was grateful Chris drew Fiona’s interest away from the flowers and her underwear purchases, so she turned to Annie and George. “Please go ahead and take anything from this counter full of stuff. I’ll ask Chris to box it up and free the space for my final cleanout.”

  Fiona, Chris, and Josie were in the dining area discussing floors, Annie and George were going through the items on the counter, and Layla decided to go out on the lanai and phone Dewey to thank him for the fabulous roses. As she opened her cell phone, there was a knock on the screen door. George turned to see who was there and loudly announced, “Mr. Soo, welcome, welcome,” as he opened the screen, ushering him inside.

  “I saw so many people heading over here, I was afraid something was wrong. My goodness, what a large floral display, yours, Layla?”

  “Mr. Soo!” Layla exclaimed and went over and hugged him. “I’m so happy to see you here. Dewey sent the roses. Aren’t they lovely?”

  “Lovely flowers for his lady love,” Mr. Soo said softly.

  “Thank you” was all Layla could say as tears formed in her eyes.

  Fiona heard Mr. Soo’s gentle voice and went to greet him. “Mr. Soo, a pleasure to see you here. Can I take you on a tour? Chris and Josie have done a wonderful job refurbishing the wood, and we were just discussing where he should start on the floors. Layla, he should start buffing, and as soon as the air-conditioning work is completed, then the floors can be stained. I don’t want any stain on before that work is completed because of dust particles and who knows what else in the air. Stain the fourth bedroom first. That way, if any furniture is delivered early, it will give us a place to store it. As soon as that floor is finished, I will have the painter in to paint that room. The second room to stain should be the living room, then we’ll paint so Wade can start work on the shelves. I don’t think it will take him too long to design and make the bathroom cabinets. What do you think?”

  “Fiona, I defer to your judgment. You are the expert.”

  Fiona walked toward Mr. Soo and extended her hand. “Mr. Soo, let’s tour.”

  “Whew,” said Layla, “what a morning.”

  Fiona, Chris, and Mr. Soo were in the living room, Mr. Soo commenting on the wonderful wood restoration.

  “Fiona, is that your lovely voice I hear?” Marty asked, coming in from the front lanai.

  “Marty, dear friend,” said Mr. Soo, walking over to shake hands.

  “Mr. Soo, I’m so proud of what Chris, my grandson, and Josie have done to restore your wonderful wood to its original beauty. Come out to the lanai and see what Josie and I have done with the Shoji screen frames.”

  Mr. Soo, Fiona, Chris, and Josie followed Marty to the front lanai.

  “Marty, are you finished?” asked Fiona.

  “Yes, I finished adding the final ridge for the glass top, and Josie stained it yesterday. I was checking to make sure everything was ready for your glass man to come and measure.”

  “This is wonderful!” exclaimed Mr. Soo. “I can’t believe you made this remarkable table from those frame pieces. The woodcarvings have once again been restored to their original beauty. I’m so grateful this was possible.”

  Fiona smiled fondly at Josie. “Josie’s tiny hands were able to clean the small intricate carvings on the frames and stain everything evenly. She did a very professional job. Marty’s craftsmanship enabled him to design and build this table that will sit in front of Layla’s large sofa. I’m having a clear glass top made that will allow all the carvings to show through.”

  George and Annie joined the group.

  “Marty, this is so beautiful!” exclaimed Annie. “I can’t imagine how you managed to shape all those straight frame pieces into this beautiful table. You are a genius.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Boone,” beamed Marty. “While there are two able-bodied young men here, I would like to ask if Chris and George can help me carry this into one of the rooms. I want to get it inside now that it’s finished.”

  George laughed. “Marty, calling me a young man will get you everywhere. Come on, Chris, you and I can get this inside. Fiona, where do you want it?”

  “Could you please sit it in the middle of the dining room? That will enable the glass man to measure it easily.”

  George and Chris toted the table into the dining room with everyone following to make sure they did a good job.

  “How’s that?” asked Chris.

  “Perfect. Thank you, gentlemen,” Fiona said.

  “Well, it’s time Annie and I head back home. I’ve just been called a young man and a gentleman, can’t do any better than that,” said George, grinning.

  “Layla, I’ve got a couple of things from the counter. Oh, before I forget, do you have a key for us?”

  “Thanks, Annie, I would have forgotten.” Layla went to her tote bag and began rummaging through it, soon producing another spare key. She handed the key ring to Annie and George, then gave them Chris’s phone number.

  Fiona and Mr. Soo were on tour. Marty had returned to the lanai to clean the area, and Chris and Josie were back at work on the wood. Layla went to the back lanai and dialed Dewey’s cell number.

  A very professional-sounding Dewey answered, “Hello, McMaster here.”

  “Dewey, it’s Layla, and I’ve caught you at a bad time. I wanted to let you know that I received your beautiful bouquet of red roses, and I’m thrilled. I can’t wait for Friday, and I’ll thank you properly.”

  “Excuse me, folks. I have to take this call,” Dewey said, walking out of his meeting and closing the door behind him. “Layla, I’m glad you like the flowers. I’ve missed you so much, no, I’ve missed us so much.”

  “Me too, it’s so crazy here right now, the house is full of people, but all I wanted to do is hear the sound of your voice and thank you. I know you have to get back. I’ll be there for you at the airport on Friday, and I can’t wait!”

  “I’ll see you then, honey, and yes, I’ve got to get back to the meeting. Until Friday!” Dewey closed the phone and went back to his meeting a happier man.

  Fiona was finishing her tour with Mr. Soo. “Well, what do you think so far?”

  “I’m amazed at how wonderful my former home looks. You, Layla, and all these talented craftspeople are turning this into a masterpiece of island living.”

  Layla walked over to Mr. Soo and grabbed his small arm, hugging it to her. “Thank you, Mr. Soo, we are all grateful for your glowing words of approval.”

  Mr. Soo went across the street back to his home, and Layla continued working on the kitchen cabinets and drawers.

  Fiona went to speak with Marty. “Marty, your sofa table is breathtaking. I’m going to call my glass person when I get home, and hopefully, he’ll come out tomorrow. Is there enough of the frame pieces to construct a small end table that would go next to a chair? It doesn’t need to be large, no lamp will be set on it, something to hold, say a drink, and a bottom shelf for books or magazines.”

  “That should be no problem. How soon would you need it made? You see, this old back needs some time off,” Marty said.

  “Layla and I won’t be able to go to Oahu until next week to find just the right chair. When we do, I’ll get you measurements, and you can make the table accordingl
y. Take a couple of weeks off. Enjoy some playtime with your great-grandson.”

  “Perfect, just tell Chris when you’ll need me back, and thank you, Fiona, for allowing me to work on this project. It’s been a sheer delight.”

  Fiona gave Marty a peck on his cheek, saying, “Thank you, Marty, for lending your expertise to this home.”

  Fiona left Layla’s and was walking in the middle of the street making notes on whom to call when the sheriff pulled up almost directly behind her. He leaned his head out the window and called, “Fiona, you shouldn’t be walking in the middle of the road. You didn’t even realize I was behind you.”

  “Huh, oh, my goodness, Sheriff, you’re right. I was so absorbed in what I was doing I was oblivious to where I was walking. Thank you for looking out for me,” Fiona said, walking back to the sheriff’s truck.

  “How’s Layla’s house coming along?”

  “We are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Chris will start on the floors later this week, then the painters, then Herb and Wade are redoing the bathrooms. Goodness, that sounds like the light might be dimmer than I thought,” Fiona said with a slight frown.

  “It’s exciting with Layla’s home getting this major makeover and the Visitors Center, Paia is quite the construction hub,” the sheriff said with a smile. “Who knows everything could be finished around the same time.”

  “You’re right, Sheriff, I never thought of that. I consider myself lucky that I have Chris. He and Josie have done wonders on the wood restoration. I recommend him to anyone that needs that type of work.”

  “Good for you. We need to keep the young people here in Paia with good jobs. Well, take care and no more walking in the middle of the street,” the sheriff said, tipping his hat toward Fiona and driving up the hill to Hana Highway.

  CHAPTER 50

  Fiona walked into her home. “Ned, where are you?”

  “In the office, dear.”

  Walking into their third bedroom, now a shared office, Fiona said, “I have just made a fool of myself, I’m so embarrassed. I was walking back from Layla’s, making a mental list of people I had to phone, and I lost track of where I was walking. The sheriff pulled in behind me and admonished me for walking in the middle of the street. I felt like an idiot. We chatted, but I couldn’t wait for him to be on his way.”

  “Just think, honey, you might have gotten a ticket.”

  “That would have been humiliating.” Fiona went over and sat down on Ned’s lap. “Wait till you hear who showed up at Layla’s.”

  “Elvis?”

  “No, dear, he’s in Kauai this week. Mr. Soo! We were all curious if he would visit his old home, and he walked right in and had compliments for the work Chris and Josie have done. Made me so proud.”

  “I’ve got to get over there and see how things are progressing. Next time you go, drag me along.”

  “You should see the huge bouquet of red roses Dewey sent Layla with a very seductive card. There were at least three dozen long-stemmed beauties.”

  “You’ve always been my long-stemmed beauty.”

  “Ned, you’re such a romantic,” Fiona said, planting a kiss on his forehead. “Marty finished making the coffee table from the Shoji screen frames. You cannot imagine the beauty of this table. You’ll be blown away when you see how it’s turned out. That’s one of the phone calls I’ve got to make. Call the glass man and see if he can come and measure for a tabletop piece of glass. Then I’ve got to call the Grand Wailea and make reservations for Layla and me to have the works on Wednesday. Plus, I’ll call Choo Choo Bacca and get Layla in for a haircut on Thursday. Layla and I will do some shopping for her on Wednesday while we are in Wailea. Whew, I had better get going.”

  “That Choo Choo may cut great hair, but that name is so stupid. She had to have stolen the idea from Star Wars.”

  “Absolutely, that’s exactly where she got her Choo Choo from. Her career was going nowhere, even though she was outstanding in color and cut. She decided it was her name that was hindering her. Ned, if I tell you her real name, you must make a solemn promise to God you won’t tell a living soul.”

  “I promise,” Ned said with a mock serious face.

  “It’s Matilda Bacca. Within a year after changing her name, she was working at the best hotel on Oahu and had top clients, and the rest is history,” said Fiona with a knowing nod.

  “I now have changed my whole prospective on Choo Choo. She’s a very savvy businesswoman.”

  “Even though I hate to leave you, my love, I’ve got to make calls.”

  Within an hour, Fiona had completed her calls and had made a schedule for both Layla and herself. “I’ll fix us something for lunch, then we both can go over to Layla’s. I’ll give her this schedule, and you can check out what all has been done and see Marty’s table.”

  “Great, I’m hungry and I’m anxious to see that table.”

  After lunch, Fiona called Layla to make sure she was still at her house, saying she and Ned were on their way over.

  Ned walked in and saw the roses, saying, “My god, Layla, there can’t possibly be a red rose left on Maui.”

  “I’ve taken several photos with my phone for Dewey. I thought he would like to see them.”

  “That’s a good idea. Be sure and say something sexy to go along with the photos,” suggested Fiona.

  “Fiona!”

  “Oh, Ned, when we were young, we said outrageous things to each other, remember?”

  “Yes, dear, and you’re still saying them.”

  Layla couldn’t help herself, she burst out laughing. “I love to hear you tease Ned, Fiona. George teases Annie the same way. I can tell that both Ned and Annie enjoy it, even though they pretend not to.”

  “I believe you have a point there, Layla,” Ned said with a smile. “Where’s that table Marty made that Fiona has been raving about?”

  “Let me show you. It’s in the dining room,” Layla said, directing Ned to the table.

  “My god, this is a work of art. It looks like something an old-world craftsman might have created two or three hundred years ago. The ceilings and wood trim are almost finished, I see, and they have turned out beautiful. This is going to be a true showplace. Layla, I’m glad you had the finances and the background to understand what was possible here. You will be very proud of this home’s legacy once everything is completed.”

  “Ned, that’s a lovely thing to say. A lot of the credit goes to Fiona. Without her advice and knowledge, most of this would not have been possible.”

  Fiona smiled and thanked Layla, then gave her Wednesday’s itinerary. “We’ll leave for Wailea at seven in the morning. If we get there too early, we can have a coffee. At eight, we get waxed. After that, facials, then massages, manicures, and pedicures, and then lunch. After lunch, we’ll head to the shops at Wailea. I feel sure you’ll be able to find everything you need, between there and the hotel shops. Not sure when we’ll get home, but we’ll be beautiful! Thursday, at three in the afternoon, you have an appointment with my friend Choo Choo Bacca for a haircut. I’ll drive us over there. Thank goodness she retired close. I would hate to fly to Oahu every time I wanted my hair cut.”

  “She’s that good?” asked Layla.

  “Best these islands ever saw. Quite a few women and men were mortified when she retired. We’re all set then, Layla. We’ll let you get back to work. Oh, I almost forgot, the glass man will be here at ten tomorrow, and I’ll be here to work with him.”

  Fiona and Ned left Layla’s and went back to their home. Fiona turned to Ned, saying, “The sheriff mentioned both the Visitors Center and Layla’s house might be finished about the same time. Do you think that might happen?”

  “It’s possible, although I believe Layla’s will be finished first. So many little odds and ends to get in place before an official opening can be scheduled. Why do you
ask?”

  “Once everything is finished, I would like us to go on vacation. Things have been so crazy and seem to only be getting worse. You and Donnie are going to get me involved in the center, so I can imagine life even more hectic.”

  “That’s a good idea, honey, do you have a place in mind?” Ned asked, knowing full well Fiona had something in mind or she wouldn’t have brought the subject up.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. You will be surprised at where I would like to go.”

  “Let me guess, the Ritz in Paris or the Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Italy?”

  “No, I want to take a trip to Utah in one of those big mobile homes, like Annie and George and Layla and Dewey did. I want to see those places, especially the Grand Canyon. The photos Annie and Layla showed us just didn’t look real, and I want to experience that for myself. I know you can drive one of those big things because you drove one to trade shows so that should be no problem.”

  Ned’s mouth hung open slightly, and he just stared at his wife.

  “Ned, damn it, say something.”

  “Who are you, and what did you do with my Fiona?”

  “Ned, don’t be an ass. I am a naturalized citizen, and I think I should see some of the wonders of these United States, don’t you?”

  “Honey, you realize you will have to do a lot of the cooking. There will be no maid service or room service.”

  “Well, of course, I do most of the cooking here, and although we do have a cleaning crew weekly, I still do a lot of work on my own.” Fiona moved into Ned and threw her arms around his neck, smiling. “And, honey, I count on you for your most excellent room service.”

  Ned put his arms around his wife and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you, my dear, I do my best. I think we would have a great time, and I bet I can get the same trailer that Dewey had. It may be bigger than we need, but I like the luxury sound of all it contains.”

  “What a brilliant idea!”

  Fiona walked into Layla’s at fifteen minutes to ten and told her the glass man would be there at ten to measure the table.