Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll drive my pickup. There are a couple of small things I can take with me. The larger items I’ll let the brothers deliver.”

  “Fine with me. I’ll tell the ladies,” said Dewey. Dewey walked back and told Layla and Fiona that Wade would be taking his pickup and the reason why, and then he suggested he drive.

  On the way, Dewey mentioned to Fiona the offer Wade made to purchase their home and asked if he actually had that kind of money.

  “Goodness, yes,” replied Fiona. “He’s a trust-fund baby but enjoys working with his hands and being creative. He and Herb have a lovely bungalow just off the beach, a few miles up the coast. I don’t know this for sure, but gossip has it he has a doctorate degree in finance from Harvard or Yale or one of those Ivy League schools. His dad is big on Wall Street.”

  “Why am I not surprised? The residents of this little rural community come from amazing backgrounds,” said Dewey.

  “You’re a fine one to talk,” said Fiona, giving her and Layla a good laugh.

  When they pulled up to Rebecca’s, she was outside to greet everyone. She was introduced to Dewey and seemed especially pleased to meet Layla’s fiancé. She ushered them inside to the foyer.

  “My god!” exclaimed Dewey and immediately took off toward the atrium. He peered through the glass and then made his way up one of the side staircases, commenting about the amazing sight before him. “Excuse me, I got carried away,” Dewey said, making his way back down the stairs to rejoin the group.

  “It’s all right, dear,” said Rebecca. “I think by now, we all have grown used to people’s reaction. On behalf of my late husband and myself, thank you.”

  “I’m so happy I got to see this before it was sold. Would you mind if Layla snapped some photos with her cell phone? She’s quite an artist in her own right, and this would make a fabulous charcoal.”

  “Why didn’t I think of that?” said Layla, pulling out her cell phone.

  “Please take as many photos as you like,” said Rebecca.

  “Rebecca, be sure and keep in touch with Fiona so that I can have your address in Oahu. When I get a completed charcoal, I’ll send you one. I’ll do two and keep one for myself.”

  “That would be a lovely remembrance, and I would cherish having it in my new home.”

  They went about reviewing the items selected, with Rebecca quoting prices from her notes. When they came to the pineapple bedroom set, Dewey was surprised Layla wanted it for their home. He looked at her with a slight frown, and she winked at him and mouthed, “Tell you later.”

  When they got to the dining room credenza, Dewey was amazed by the delicate look of the beveled glass piece and voiced his concern about a safe trip to their home. Everyone assured him the brothers would get it there safely. Dewey opened one of the doors and asked, “Rebecca, do you mean these candlesticks to go with the credenza?”

  “I forgot all about those being in there. I meant to ask Layla or Fiona if they wanted them to go along with the credenza.”

  “Yes,” both ladies said in unison.

  “Those are perfect for that piece,” said Fiona.

  Final prices were agreed on by Layla and Wade, then Wade packed up the things he wanted into his pickup and headed back to Paia. Rebecca provided newspaper, and Fiona wrapped the candlesticks to take back with them in the station wagon.

  On the way back to Paia, Dewey asked Layla, “Please explain the pineapple bedroom set. It’s not what I thought you would want.”

  “First off, it’s very authentic old Hawaiian and will fit right in with our home. I do have an ulterior motive,” Layla said. “You see, I know we will host Kyle and Kim when they return to Paia for the opening of the Visitors Center, and that is where I plan on putting them.”

  Dewey turned toward Layla, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Well, this is a side of you I didn’t know existed. I love it.”

  “Oh, that’s priceless,” said Fiona. “Every ounce of revenge is well placed.”

  Back at Mr. Soo’s, Dewey said to Fiona, “Layla and I are taking Mr. Soo to dinner this evening. I was thinking it would be fun for you and Ned, George and Annie, all of us go to Bird’s for dinner Friday night.”

  “Terrific, I can visit by little Bird. I’m sure he misses me. Layla, are you going to take the food orders?”

  “Sure, you talk with Ned, and I’ll call you later this evening. Dewey, let’s walk over and see if Annie and George are home and ask them in person.”

  “OK, but let’s get these candlesticks inside. They’re so delicate.”

  Dewey and Layla went over to the Boones’ and found them both at home. Dewey relayed his amazement about Rebecca’s, and George explained, from and engineering point of view, the difficulties in building such an atrium. They agreed to meet at Bird’s Friday evening at seven for dinner. Layla got their grill order, then she and Dewey set off to grab a sandwich and check into the Paia Inn.

  CHAPTER 80

  Layla got up, made a cup of courtesy coffee, dressed, gave sleeping Dewey a kiss on the forehead, and left for breakfast at a nearby café. After breakfast, she drove to Mr. Soo’s, loaded her art supplies in the car, and went to meet with Donnie.

  Although early, Donnie was in his office. “Layla, I hope I can impose upon you to do me a favor regarding the opening of the Visitors Center.”

  “Of course, Donnie, how may I help?”

  “Would you mind contacting Kim and invite him and Kyle to the opening as soon as we have an exact date? If it’s too difficult for you, I certainly understand, but I wanted to ask anyway.”

  “I had already planned to host them in our new home, provided it was ready when the center opened. Now I know for sure it will be, and I have no problem doing this, We parted amicably.”

  “Thank you, Layla. I was worried about being able to secure a short-notice reservation for them at either Mother’s or the Paia Inn. I’m planning a meeting next week with the major people involved in the opening so we can set a date. I’ll need to get publicity out, and we need to get all the docents, crafters, and restaurant workers in place. Will you and Dewey be available for that meeting?”

  “We’ve not set a date to return to Salt Lake City. If need be, Dewey will return, and I’ll stay here to finish up the house. As far as I know, we’ll be here all of next week.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll get back with you on a date. There are a lot of people to organize into one meeting, so it may take a couple of tries before we get it nailed down.”

  “While I’m here, I need to transfer some funds into Fiona’s working account. Bills are coming in, and I want to be sure she has ample funds to pay everything promptly.”

  “Of course, how much would you like transferred?”

  Layla told Donnie the amount agreed on, and he went to make the transfer. After completion, he returned to his office and gave the transfer slip to Layla. He thanked her for her assistance getting Kim to the opening and confirmed her cell phone number.

  Layla left the bank and stopped at a deli for lunch and several bottles of water, putting everything in the cooler she brought with her. Then it was off to sketch the windsurfers. Sitting at her easel, she began working with various charcoals; hearing someone walking up behind her, she turned to find the sheriff coming her way.

  “Good morning, Layla. I heard you and Dewey had returned. Glad to have you both back. Working on one of your lovely charcoals?”

  “Hello, Sheriff. I’m glad to be back in Paia. I had always planned to do a charcoal of the windsurfers for us personally but never found the time. Today I’m making the time. Our home will be ready to move into soon, and I wanted this one in a particular place.”

  “I saw the one you did for George and Annie. It’s special, Layla. You captured the colors so perfectly. You do excellent work, fitting right in with Paia’s art community.”

/>   “Thank you, Sheriff. I enjoy doing landscape work, and the vistas available in this part of the world are endless. Isn’t it exciting that the Visitors Center will be opening soon?”

  “Yes, it is. I got a call a bit ago from Donnie to set up a meeting to determine an opening date. Getting down to the fun and festivities.”

  Layla thought “fun” was a strange term to use, considering the events that led to the creation of the Visitors Center but dismissed her thought, thinking it was because of his perception of the work involved by his department for the opening ceremonies.

  “Dewey and I will be attending that meeting. I’ll be coordinating the arrival of Kim for the event.”

  There was a crackle on the sheriff’s radio, which he responded to. He bowed slightly and excused himself, saying there was a fender bender on the road to Hana, not an uncommon event.

  Layla got back to her drawing while still feeling inspired.

  Fiona walked to Annie’s, bearing two travel mugs of latté. Handing one to Annie as she was greeted at the door, Fiona said, “Thought we might need an extra shot of the strong stuff this morning. I made these with a double shot of espresso. It’ll give us a good jolt.”

  Annie took a sip from her mug. “Yummy, how I love strong coffee, and a latté is an extra special treat. Thank you.”

  “Where’s George? I’m afraid I didn’t make him a coffee.”

  “He was off early, doing some work with one of his volleyball groups. Those kids would have him out there every day if they could. Of course, he enjoys it as much as they do, and volleyball in the sand is excellent exercise.”

  “He certainly has more pep in the morning that I do,” said Fiona, shaking her head.

  Annie locked up; they got into the Jeep and went to do their shopping, lists in hand.

  Their first stop was Costco, where they found large laundry baskets and plenty of paper supplies, Fiona almost completing her list. Annie didn’t find too much from her list, as big-box items were not practical for Dewey and Layla’s lifestyle. Their next stop was Kmart, where Annie found everything on her list, and Fiona completed her list, adding a couple more things she didn’t think of. They stopped at a card store, and each bought an appropriate greeting card and very large bows for the baskets. Satisfied with their purchases, they stopped for lunch then back home.

  They left the baskets on the dining room table at Annie’s, adjusted the items in the baskets, adhered the bows, added the proper greetings to the inside of their cards, and placed them in their respective baskets.

  George came in from the front lanai, eyeing the loaded baskets. “Well, ladies, did you leave anything in the stores for anyone else?”

  “A few things, but we did real well, and I don’t think we spent much over $100 each. This will give them a start on what they will need to set up their home,” said Fiona.

  “You ladies did a good job. They will be very grateful.”

  “I’m going home, take a shower, and maybe a nap. I want to be ready for a fun evening.”

  When Fiona got home, she found a note from Ned, saying he wasn’t sure when he would get back, he and Dewey were at the Visitors Center.

  Dewey was walking to the Visitors Center from the Paia Inn, giving himself plenty of time to stop and say hello to old friends along the way. As he was walking up the driveway, he noticed Ned walking up the hill and waited for him. Ned explained the latest exterior items, including George’s plaque at the entryway. Dewey was amazed at the complete transformation of the Okamotos’ market and living quarters into a modern and welcoming Visitors Center. The curved wood counter for the docents now had brochures displayed, along with maps of stores and sites of interest in Paia. They walked over to the crafter section; Ned explained the type of crafters Fiona had recruited. He pointed out on the back wall where the six charcoals that Layla had donated would be placed for sale.

  Next, they toured the food area, where visitors placed their orders to take with them or if it was a grilled item, they would take a number. Everyone would go outside to eat, and if your order was served, it would be delivered to your table where a number was displayed on a small standard fitted into each table. Once you got into the food line and picked up your food, it would not be possible to get back into the Visitors Center. This plan would help ensure no food or drinks would be spilled on the wood floor of the center; at least that was the hope.

  Ned opened the wide doors to the outside lanai that ran along the veranda. He explained to Dewey they had taken a large part of the Okamotos’ living quarters, opened it up, and made it part of the lanai. This gave them plenty of outside eating tables, and being raised from the roadway, those driving by could see that food was available.

  Donnie, the contractor, and Ned had worked on an outside sign that was in good taste, welcoming and encouraging travelers to come inside to shop and eat. The sign they had come up with would be ready for installation by next week. Ned said he had taken the inspector to the shop where the sign was being made to make sure everything stayed within the stringent island sign regulations.

  The contractor joined them, and they returned to the inside of the center. Dewey had several questions for Ned or the contractor that were answered easily. Donnie came in, happy to see Dewey.

  “Dewey, I hope you are pleased with what your money has accomplished. The contractor and Ned have done a wonderful job for our city, one that will forever honor the Okamotos.”

  “Donnie, you too are to be congratulated. You are the one that got the ball rolling, and you’ve outdone what I expected. This is so impressive.”

  “Thank you. I am proud of how it has turned out.”

  Dewey touched Donnie’s elbow and directed him away from the others. “Donnie, I know you are working on a sign, and I know there will be quite elaborate opening ceremonies. Do you need any more money? Plus, you have all the utilities and start-up charges. I’m more than happy to write you another check.”

  “Frankly, the answer is yes. The project can use an infusion of funds for just the reasons you mentioned. I was beginning to get worried and thought I was going to have to put together a fund-raiser.”

  Dewey reached into his back pocket, withdrew his checkbook, walked to the docent’s counter, and wrote a check for $75,000, handing it folded to Donnie. “Never hesitate to ask for more. Giving back to this town that was so good to me, not knowing who I was, makes me happy.”

  Donnie unfolded the check and said a soft “Whew, Dewey this is wonderful. I’ll get a receipt to you before you leave. This will see us well beyond our opening. I’ll heed your generous offer, and let you know if we are ever short funded.”

  Dewey clapped Donnie on the back, and both walked back to where Ned and the contractor were talking. They spent another half hour at the center, and then Ned and Dewey left, agreeing to meet at Bird’s at seven that evening.

  * * *

  It was little before seven, and Ned sat at the bar, talking to Jessie. “Is Fiona the only person that comes to talk with him?”

  “Yes, thank God. That bird has an attitude, and now that he and Fiona have some type of weird connection, I don’t think we could handle any more admirers like that.”

  Dewey and Layla pulled into Bird’s parking lot with Annie and George right behind them.

  “I notice the Kellers’ car is already here,” said George. “Fiona is probably in conferring with her feathery Bird.”

  “No doubt,” said Layla. “That’s odd how they took to each other. Only Fiona.”

  Everyone went inside, greeting Fiona and Bird, then continued into the bar where Ned sat.

  “Byrd has everyone set up outside for dinner, and I’ve reserved a booth for you folks inside after you’ve eaten. It’s such a lovely evening, he thought you would enjoy being outside,” said Jessie. “What would you like to drink, and I’ll bring them to you?”

  �
��That’s so thoughtful,” said Ned. “I’ll corral Fiona, and we’ll meet everyone out back. Come, Fiona, we’re all going outside for dinner, and I gave Jessie a drink order for you,” Ned said as he directed Fiona through the bar toward the outside.

  “Isn’t this lovely?” said Fiona as she gazed into the back area that Byrd had set up with tables and strung colored lights. Several other tables were taken by diners enjoying their meal.

  “Just so peaceful,” said Annie. “If you listen closely, you can hear the sound of waves and you can smell the ocean from here, but most of all, I enjoy the lovely scent of the tropical flowers.”

  “I think it’s terribly romantic,” said Layla.

  “I have to agree with you,” said Annie.

  George drew Annie into his side and smiled down at her. “That’s my wife, a wonderfully romantic woman.”

  “Yes, I am,” said Annie, looking up at George, who bent down and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

  Jessie brought drinks, and everyone sat down. There was light conversation, but everyone was immersed in the beauty of the evening until Byrd brought dinner. Large T-bone steaks for all the men and Fiona, and fish caught fresh that morning for Annie and Layla. Everyone had an active day and ate with abandon.

  “Whew, I’m finally full,” said George, pushing back from the table. “The kids ran me ragged today. I was starving.”

  “Dewey and I took the grand tour of the center this afternoon, and he walked to and from the Paia Inn. So we both had worked up a good appetite.”

  “I lugged my art supplies out to the bluff overlooking the windsurfers and painted for hours. Now, that may not sound like hard work, but I was so tired, I had to quit earlier than I planned.”

  Fiona and Annie glanced briefly at each other, hoping no one expected to hear about their day.

  “I want dessert,” said Fiona, breaking the train of conversation. “Does Byrd have any type of dessert?”

  “I’ll check for you, honey,” offered Ned.

  He walked over to where Byrd was finishing up his grilling and asked about dessert, then returned to the table. “He’s going to fix us one big bowl of something special that we can share. Said he always has something ready when adults eat here with kids.”