Ukulele Murder: A Nani Johnson Aloha Lagoon Mystery (Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Book 1)

by Leslie Langtry

  "But it may explain the break-in at Leilani's house last night!" To be totally honest, I'm a little excited that I might've figured something out.

  "We'll have to think about that." He kisses my forehead. It's nice. So nice, that I am still standing there. Like an idiot.

  "I'm sorry, Nani." Nick frowns. "But I've got to get to work. We're getting some new plants in from Maui today, and I've got to be there."

  "Oh." I try to hide my disappointment. "Right. You go. I'll give this more thought."

  Nick stops and looks into my eyes. "Why don't you head over to the resort and talk to Julia Kekoa, the activities coordinator. With the Terrible Three gone, she'll be desperate to book someone for the big luaus and on-site weddings."

  "You don't think that's a bit tasteless?" I ask.

  He shakes his head. "I don't. They'll need someone fast. Besides, that guy we talked to in Princeville, Pauli, might score the job before you do."

  "That's not a bad idea…" I say. "Okay. I'll run home, grab my résumé, and head over."

  Nick grins. "Then you can meet me for lunch. Say noon at the Loco Moco? I'll buy to celebrate our little breakthrough on the case."

  I can't help but smile. "It's a date."

  Mom and Vera are gone by the time I get home, thank goodness. I need to get organized. Hitting the resort now would be a good idea. They'll need someone soon. The resort always seems to have big events on the weekends. I change my clothes, check myself in the mirror, toss my résumé into a briefcase, and head out.

  On my way over, I practice what I could say to the activities coordinator that doesn't sound like I'm a total weirdo and possible serial murderer.

  I guess you need a new musician now that the others are dead…

  Sorry to hear about Kua and Leilani—but the good news is I'm available to fill in…

  Ugh. It's no use. I'll just have to wing it and hope Ms. Kekoa doesn't call the police.

  I pull up to the front of the resort and get out. I love this place. It's beautifully designed and has some of the most picturesque views of the ocean on Kauai. The architect must've been a genius. Almost every room has a view of the ocean. That's not easy to pull off.

  "Hello." Roberta Lugosi is standing on the lanai.

  "Mrs. Lugosi, isn't it?" Why am I running into them today? And why aren't they together?

  The woman nods. "That's right. You did our wedding the other day."

  "I hope you're enjoying your honeymoon." I've got nothing. Her husband burned through all my small-talk material earlier.

  "It's nice," she says absently. "My husband…Robby…he's sick with the flu. I'm going to check out the surfing lessons here."

  Um…her husband just told me he was going surfing. This couple is definitely weird. And she certainly didn't look like the type who’d take up surfing. Or any new sport.

  "Good luck." I try to end the conversation. "There's an instructor here at the resort."

  Roberta looks at me curiously, as if I just spoke to her in Swahili. After a few seconds she nods and walks away. What is with these people? I definitely need to talk to Pastor Dan about screening couples. I shake my head and walk inside to the lobby.

  "Is the activities coordinator in?" I ask the front desk. The man behind the counter nods politely and disappears into the back room.

  Okay. Showtime. A young woman about my age with a pleasant smile walks up to me, holding out her hand. I shake it.

  "Hello, I'm Julia Kekoa. How can I help you?" she asks.

  I like her immediately. Something about her seems so friendly and approachable. Please let me land this gig! I'd love to work for sane folks.

  "I'm Nani Johnson. I'm a professional ukulele musician. I thought maybe you'd have an opening?"

  Oh my God. Why did I say that? What's wrong with me? She's probably pushing a panic button under the desk.

  "Come on back." Julia leads me around the counter into the back office. She sits and motions for me to do the same. Well, at least I got in the door. And Detective Ray isn't in here waiting to pounce with Aha! I knew it!

  "I'm sorry. That probably sounded bad," I say. "I'm aware of the horrible murders. This probably isn't the best time…"

  She waves me off. "It's okay. Really. I know what you meant. And we do desperately need someone for the luau this weekend. Are you available?"

  I nod. "Absolutely." I hand her my résumé. "I assume you'll want to check my references…"

  "You went to Julliard?" Julia asks as she looks the document over. "Impressive. And you've been teaching lessons and working at the Blue Hawaii Chapel. That's really all I need to know. Can you start immediately? Would you be interested in teaching lessons here?"

  "Really? That's great!" I sound like a moron. And I haven't answered her question.

  "Yes! I can start right away."

  She rises from her chair. "I'll pass this on to our HR division, and we'll get in touch with you about the luau. I'll make a copy for Alexander—our leisure groups coordinator—in regard to the lessons."

  "Thank you!" This went better than I hoped. "I look forward to hearing from them!"

  She leads me back to the lobby and shakes my hand again before the front desk calls her over. I'm in! I can't believe it. I thought it would take years. Instead it took three murders.

  What is wrong with me? Couldn't I show a bit of humility? I certainly didn't want it to work out this way.

  "Hey." Pauli Keo walks up to me. "I know you."

  "Aloha." I paste on my biggest smile. Did I get here before him? Was Nick right about him moving into my territory?

  "You gonna be working here too?" he asks with a careful grin.

  I nod. "Luaus and maybe lessons. You?"

  "Three nights a week."

  "Great!" I feel like I'm acting a little over the top. "I'll have to check you out." I can feel the blush rising in my cheeks. "I mean check your music out."

  "Okay," he says. "See you around."

  Pauli walks off, and I watch him. Does he wonder if I killed three performers in order to get their gigs? Hmmm…did he? This idea has some merit. I mean, if he can think it, so can I, right?

  "So you got the job! Congratulations!" Nick joins me at a table at the Loco Moco for lunch. "I'll get to spend more time with you."

  Nick's wearing the resort polo shirt and khakis, and he makes the uniform look good. It feels like we've been seeing each other for months, not days. Murder is a strange matchmaker.

  "This is going to be great for us, Nani." His eyes seem to drink me in. Nick is definitely intense.

  There's that nervous feeling again. He's coming off a bit too eager. Oh, for crying out loud! Stop being so suspicious, Nani!

  We order, and I fill him in on how it went. I leave out the embarrassing parts. I'm not stupid. I just act that way occasionally.

  "You're going to Kua's funeral after lunch…" Nick says. "Remember that sometimes the murderer turns up at the funeral of his victim." Now he looks a little worried. Which is really sweet. I'm worried too.

  I nod. "I'll keep an eye out. Leilani's funeral is tomorrow, so I'll look for someone who goes to both."

  "Good idea," Nick says as the food arrives. "Just be careful. Don't make any citizen's arrests or anything. If you see something suspicious, you should let the detective know."

  "I will," I promise. It's nice to have someone other than your crazy, alcoholic mother worry about you.

  I'm famished and tear into my burger. Being a suspect in three murders is exhausting. I don't want our relationship to be just about death, so we make small talk until he has to go back to work.

  "Did Detective Ray stop by to talk to you yet?" I ask as Nick pays for lunch

  "He's coming this afternoon. Maybe I'll find out something. I'll let you know." Nick smiles.

  "Why don't you come over after work?" I ask. "I'll throw steaks on the grill, and we can share what happens this afternoon."

  "That sounds perfect."

  Nick kisses me on the
lips, only for a moment. But I feel my body respond to him. I go all squishy inside, giggling like a schoolgirl as he walks away. He kissed me. Not on the forehead, but on my actual lips. Maybe tonight we'll just relax. Not talk about the case. Act like a man and woman on a sort of date.

  Now, I just have to go to the funeral of a man I loathed. A man who people think I murdered. Piece of cake, right?

  My cell rings as Nick disappears from view.

  "Binny." I sigh. "I'm glad it's you."

  "Who were you expecting?" my friend says.

  "I'm always expecting the police these days. How's it going? When do you get back?"

  "I'm at your house, waiting to go to the funeral with you."

  It feels like a boulder has been lifted off my shoulders. "You cut your trip short to go with me?" Once again today, I'm happy for something I shouldn't be. When all this guilt catches up with me, I'm probably going to have a stroke.

  "It's all right. Mom doesn't need me. But you do."

  She's right. I do need her. More than she suspects.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  On the way to the services, I tell Binny about Alohalani’s murder. My best friend’s mouth drops open as I describe the scene. She’s horrified. For a moment, I think she’s going to freak out, but she keeps it together. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

  Kua's funeral is held beachside, not far from the resort. It's my first since I've moved here, but Binny has filled me in on proper protocol. Tradition dictates that after the ceremony, the friends and family paddle out on the ocean—in a boat or on surfboards—and scatter the ashes.

  Leis are placed around our necks as we arrive. Binny whispers to me that after the thing with the ashes, we will throw our leis into the sea. As the ceremony starts, I look around to see who is here.

  I don't know most of the people. It seems to be a lot of family, but I'm not sure. I'm not surprised to see Todd Chay from the interview list here. He told us he knew Kua. I am surprised to see some of the gang members from the Sea Dogs present. But then they surfed with him, so maybe it's not that weird. I'd have to ask Binny about that later.

  Detective Ray makes eye contact with me, and I try to act casual. He's a respectful distance from the rest of us. It makes sense that he'd be here. Like Nick said—the murderer sometimes comes to the funeral of his victim. Of course that implicates me, but maybe I'll get lucky and the detective will overlook that.

  The minister alternates between the Hawaiian language and English. I don't understand much of it, but I nod when everyone else does. In fact, I'm just starting to get the hang of it, when I see her. A woman standing on the other side of the crowd. At least, I think it's a woman. She's wearing a large black hat with a veil that obscures her face. Her dress is black and billowy, hiding the shape of her body. She shows no reaction. She just stands there, observing. Like she's the only star of a weird art film.

  Who is she? Besides being someone who doesn't want to be recognized, that is. I can just make out the outline of oversized black sunglasses beneath the veil. Maybe she's a love interest or maybe a family member whose mourning runs very deep. I can't tell. The woman just seems out of place here. But since this is my first Hawaiian funeral, it's possible that the woman's presence is part of the tradition.

  Binny nudges me, and I realize that people are climbing into a large boat. I follow her lead and take my seat with the others. Detective Ray doesn't join us. Neither does the lady in black. A couple of elderly people also remain on the shore. My guess is that it isn't mandatory to participate in this part of the ceremony.

  As we row out to sea, I can't help watching the detective on the shore. His eyes are on the boat and probably on me. Is he waiting for me to come back so he can take me in? I look for the woman in black, but she's vanished.

  The Sea Dogs and some other surfers paddle out to sea on surfboards. Does the detective suspect the gang of Kua's murder? I know it's wrong to hope for that, but I do. I want the suspicion off of me.

  The minister says a few words in Hawaiian, then nods to an old woman at the front of the boat. Could it be Kua's mother? She lifts an urn and empties ash into the ocean. All at once, everyone removes their leis and tosses them overboard. We sail back to the beach in silence.

  "What do you think?" Binny asks as we walk to my car.

  We'd decided not to go to the dinner announced by the family. I'd feel like a fraud being there, and I'm fairly certain Kua wouldn't want me to go. It's the least I can do for him.

  "Did you see the Sea Dogs?" I ask. "And Todd Chay was there too."

  Binny nods. "I noticed. Do you think they killed him?" She turns and looks out at the ocean where the men are still sitting on their surfboards.

  "I don't know. They seem too reverent about the whole thing to have killed him."

  "I see what you mean." Binny's eyes are still on the surfers, who've now formed a circle and are clasping hands.

  "The good detective spotted me." I put my seat belt on. "But he didn't approach me. I thought he would."

  Binny shakes her head. "It can't be that bad. Not yet."

  I change the subject. "What was the story with the woman dressed all in black? Is that part of the ceremony?"

  "I've never seen her before." Binny frowns. "My guess is she's family, but it's weird that anyone would come dressed like that."

  We drove back to my house, and I filled her in on our nocturnal burglaries the night before. Binny says nothing, but she looks freaked out. I guess if she told me she'd been breaking into strange places in the middle of the night, I'd feel the same way.

  Mom isn't home. She left a note—something about going to a luau in Hanalei with Vera. I'm secretly relieved. It means that Nick, Binny, and I can speak openly about our little investigation.

  I'm happy that Mom has found a friend in Vera. Maybe being part of a twosome might make her a little less crazy. Perseverance Woodfield might be the best thing that's happened to me. Well, except for Nick, that is.

  The steaks are sizzling on the grill, and Binny and I are lounging on the lanai when Nick arrives. He'd gone home and changed out of his work clothes and now looks ridiculously hot in a fitted black T-shirt and khaki shorts. He runs his right hand through his dark hair, tousling it boyishly. Nick adds a sly smile and a wink, and it makes me tingly inside. Brandishing two bottles of wine, he joins us.

  It's a warm Kauai night. Not too hot, not chilly. Breezes come and go, and I begin to unwind. The sun is low in the sky, giving the flowers in my garden an ethereal glow. This really is paradise. I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. Even with all my problems, it's impossible to be depressed. And even though it won't be easy, I'm determined to stay here and make Aloha Lagoon my forever home.

  "How did it go?" Nick asks as we set the table.

  Binny and I fill him in on Kua's funeral. It feels strange and kind of disrespectful to talk about it. I know I didn't kill him, but other people's perceptions tainted my appearance at the ceremony, and I felt guilty.

  For some reason, when we're through, Nick seems interested more in the Sea Dogs and Todd Chay than the lady dressed in black.

  "Maybe Todd did it." He sits, unfolding a napkin in his lap. "I didn't get the impression from him that he and Kua were close."

  "I don't know," Binny says. "It could have been one of the Sea Dogs."

  I shake my head. "I didn't get a vibe off of any of them. The Sea Dogs even performed their own private ceremony after." A memory pops into my head.

  "Did I tell you I ran into the other Lugosi this afternoon?"

  "What are you talking about?" Binny asks.

  I tell the two of them about both encounters with the bland couple. "Robby was interested in the Sea Dogs. You might be onto something there, Binny."

  Nick shakes his head. "Then this investigation is over. Those guys are dangerous. There's no way we should get involved with them."

  I think about this for a moment. "There was the lady in black…"

  "Th
at was weird," Binny agrees. "She was covered from head to toe. We couldn't describe her if we had to."

  "She was definitely hiding something. Who goes anywhere dressed like that in this day and age?" I ask.

  "There's no way to find out who she is unless she turns up again," Binny says.

  "Do you think it's one of Leilani's former roommates—Gina or Elizabeth?" I ask. "I just couldn't buy that they loved her that much. Leilani was too horrible."

  Binny nods. "It would be the perfect cover up. Act like they loved her, but secretly, they killed her."

  I agree. "If I was her roomie, I'd want her dead. That woman was toxic."

  Nick sits back, his plate empty. My mother would call him a good eater. Even though she doesn't cook, she appreciates people who eat well. It's one of her many, many peccadillos.

  "We should definitely consider Elizabeth and Gina. Remember Alohalani told you that things aren't as they seem? If you're right about them lying to us, that would fit their behavior perfectly." Nick shrugs.

  "But that doesn't explain Kua. Or Alohalani." I chew my lip.

  "Then perhaps the murders are unrelated," Binny answers. "The Sea Dogs killed Kua, and the roommates killed Leilani, then Alohalani because he knew too much."

  "But why frame me? I'd never met Gina or Elizabeth before now."

  "Leilani probably complained about you so much"—Nick is getting excited—"that they pegged you as the perfect patsy."

  We sit quietly with our thoughts as the sun sets and the solar lights come on. Sure, these explanations might work. But it doesn't feel right. Like a puzzle piece that almost fits but not quite. You shove it into the one remaining hole, but it isn't seamless. That's how this feels.

  "My missing ukulele hasn't turned up yet," I think out loud. "Why frame me with my own instrument and have it go missing? Seems to me the killer would want it found."

  Nick shrugs. "Maybe he's going to use it again. Or it's a mistake. That could explain a lot with this whole mess."

  "I don't know…" I run my hands through my hair. "I'm beat. And we've got Leilani's funeral in the morning."

  Binny and Nick help me clean up. It's late before they finally say good-bye. Binny leaves first, promising to come over in time to head to the funeral. Nick looks into my eyes before kissing me. There's that tingle again. This man has definitely lowered my defenses. I press up against him, kissing him back.