The formality of his words was in stark contrast to the rage on his face. Suddenly I wasn't sure of what I was doing. If Derrick Stone was the killer, I'd just given him another reason to want me dead.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
On my way back to the resort, Juls called, telling me how sorry she was that I'd found Kailani and that I had the rest of the day off. I didn't argue. I knew Jimmy had probably suggested it to her.
I did not want to go home and sit in my apartment all day, so I swung by the resort to see what time Summer got off.
"Hey, Summer," I said as she finished up with a customer.
"Oh my gosh! Are you ok?"
Man, word really spread quickly around here. "I'm fine. Better than poor Kailani."
"I can't believe you found her. It must have been terrible."
"Understatement of the year." I gave her a sad smile. "What time is your shift over?"
"In a little over an hour. Why? What did you have in mind?"
I shrugged. "Maybe some pool time? I just need to unwind and process all these emotions going on inside me."
"Excuse me," a snobby voice said behind me.
I turned around and found Patti Stone, big black sunglasses covering most of her face, a wide-brimmed hat on her head, a hot pink velour tracksuit, and—No. It couldn't be. I looked down at her feet just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Yep. Hot pink high heels. Did she own any other kind of shoe?
Summer looked as if she were trying to hide a grin. "What can I do for you, Mrs. Stone?"
"My spa appointment. I missed it this morning, and I need to reschedule for now."
"I'm not the one that schedules for the spa. You'll need to call the spa and do that." Summer looked as if her patience was wearing thin, and I wondered how many times a day Mrs. Stone used the resort staff as if they were her very own personal assistants.
"What kind of customer service is this anyway? I want you to call the spa for me and switch it. Tell them it's an emergency." Since Patti wasn't exactly a guest, I wasn't sure why she insisted on acting like one. Last I checked, having a contract with a resort to use the facilities didn't mean that the front desk staff were your personal assistants. People around the island used the spa services at Aloha Lagoon, as they were top notch. But most people didn't ask the front desk to reschedule their appointments, especially when they weren't staying there.
Summer picked up the phone, catching my gaze behind Patti's back and rolling her eyes. After a brief conversation, Summer hung up.
"They said to send you on back. They'll work you in."
"Now, was that so hard?" Patti spat, turning on her very high heels and waddling away. I wondered if she knew just how silly she looked walking in those things.
Fortunately, Patti didn't stick around for Summer's answer, because I had a feeling she was within seconds of throttling her. As soon as she disappeared around the corner, Summer whirled around.
"Can you believe that woman?"
"Not at all. Isn't she even a little bit upset that one of her surfer's girlfriend and fiancé of another one—" I paused mid-sentence. "This whole thing is a little like a soap opera, isn't it?" Summer laughed, and I continued. "Anyway, isn't she the least bit troubled that Kailani was found dead in her apartment this morning?"
"Maybe she doesn't know."
"You know. She has to know."
Summer shrugged. "You should ask her."
"I should. Any chance the spa has an opening for me?"
Summer grinned and dialed the spa. When she hung up, she said, "You're in luck. They have an opening for a facial in thirty minutes. You can use the indoor pool or sauna beforehand if you want. I'll meet you there in about an hour when my shift's over."
"Perfect."
* * *
I stopped by my locker, taking out the bag of clothes I'd decided to stash in case I needed a swimsuit or change of clothing. I quickly pulled on my swimsuit and threw on my cover-up then headed to the spa.
I wasn't sure how I was going to find Patti Stone. She could be there for a massage or Brazilian waxing for all I knew. Gross. That was an image I didn't want in my mind.
Checking in with the front desk, I signed the release papers. Then the receptionist gave me directions to the sauna and indoor pool.
"I'm meeting my friend Patti here. Any idea where she might be?" I was hoping that she wouldn't question the huge whopper of a lie I'd just told. I was also hoping that Patti wasn't already buck naked under a sheet, getting a rubdown while I spoke.
The young girl grimaced before schooling her features under the guise of professionalism. I guessed she must have experienced Patti Stone in her usual state of unpleasantness.
"Yes, ma'am." There was that wretched word again. "She's also waiting in the sauna."
"Thank you."
The long hallway was adorned with green, aqua, and blue mosaic glass tiles on the walls and slate floors. It was stunningly gorgeous and another area in the resort where you could tell that no expense had been spared in its décor.
I pushed through double doors that opened to a heated pool, the same glass tiles decorating the walls and sides of the pool. A small waterfall flowed from a rock feature in the corner. It felt like walking into a small indoor oasis, with the potted palms and other tropical flowers arranged to appear as if one was still outdoors in a private lagoon.
There were two sauna rooms, one on each side of the pool. I chose the one on my left, hoping I'd find Patti there. When I opened the door, steam rolled out of the room, nearly knocking me over with the humidity. I peered in but didn't see anyone.
Hurriedly I power walked around the edge of the pool. Just as I approached the other sauna door, it flung open, a woman in a thong bikini storming out with her cell phone in hand. Patti Stone.
But wait—her cell phone? In a sauna? Where in the world did she keep it in that getup? I followed close behind her, ducking behind palm trees and plants to keep from being caught. Patti slipped into one of the empty massage rooms, and I flattened myself against the wall to listen in.
"What about the boards?" Patti hissed.
I waited for her response.
"Yes, but did you get the"—she hesitated—"the merchandise?" she asked in a loud whisper. "Meet me and Derrick at the house this afternoon. We received the new shipment of boards from the warehouse last night…I don't care what you have planned today. Listen to me and listen closely. That merchandise better be all set for the Classic, or there will be hell to pay. Do you understand me? If we go down, you go down."
Realizing that Patti was done with her phone call, I rushed to hide behind one of the palm trees, watching as she marched herself back to the sauna room, her thong-clad backside jiggling behind her. As soon as the sauna door opened, I came out from my hiding place and started toward the sauna, looking behind me as I did to make sure no one was watching.
Unfortunately, I failed to look in front of me and ran right into Annie Morris.
"Umph! Oh, Annie. Hi!" I said, much too cheerfully.
"Autumn, hi. What are you doing behind that plant?"
"Oh, that thing? I was just, um. I was just—"
"Waiting for me," Summer's voice called out from behind me.
I tried not to let the relief show on my face, but I was afraid my acting abilities weren't up to par.
"Right. I was just waiting for Summer. Just getting some sauna time in before the pool."
Annie eyed me dubiously. Maybe it was the lack of sweat on my body or the fact that I was crouched down behind a potted palm that gave me away.
"Well, I was just glad I got away early," Summer said, taking me by the arm to steer me away from Annie's knowing eyes.
"Good to see you, Annie," I said as I hotfooted it away from the awkward situation.
"Bye, Autumn," Annie said, watching us as we fled the scene.
As soon as we were out of earshot, Summer turned on me. "What were you thinking, skulking about behind potted plants?" She threw her hands up
in exasperation, and I just shrugged. "Also do you not understand the words 'be careful'?"
"I was being careful. That's the whole reason I was behind the plant in the first place. I was listening to Patti's conversation and then realized too late she was off the phone. I had to hide somewhere, or she'd know I was listening."
"Well, I'm sure Annie will tell her you were lurking about. I don't think she believed you." Summer's face looked concerned, and I didn't have any words to put her at ease.
"Not much I can do about it now. I'll just have to be more careful in the future."
"In the future? Do you even hear yourself right now? Let's just say Patti is the killer. What do you think she's going to do to you when she discovers you're listening to her phone conversations and asking too many questions?"
I swallowed hard. I didn't have an answer for that. All I knew was that Kailani deserved better. Noe deserved better.
What merchandise was Patti talking about? I thought back to the pictures Kailani had taken of Derrick and Dax at the luau. I was pretty sure Derrick wasn't giving Dax a bag of powdered sugar for him to take home to his mama. So that left drugs.
Were the Stones running drugs somehow through their surfboard business? But how?
I hadn't put all the pieces of the puzzle together yet, but I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that whoever did this might also have my camera. My favorite, very expensive pride and joy, I might add. It didn't seem that the police were getting very far with this case, and I was tired of waiting for the killer to turn his sights on me.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Did you hear the news?" Juls squealed as soon as we approached the front desk. Gabby Le Clair of Gabby's Island Adventures Tour Company stood next to her, her clipboard in hand.
"What news?" I asked.
"We got the bid for the Classic! Can you believe it? Oh my gosh! Do you know how much work has to be done in the next two days?" Juls asked in a tone that would have dogs running away from her in pain.
"It will all get done, Juls. I'll help you," Gabby said, squeezing her arm and giving me a look that screamed what a crazy person!
"That's great, isn't it?" I asked. I knew it would be a lot of work, but it was fantastic exposure for the resort.
"It is." Juls exhaled loudly. "I'm just freaking out because everything has to be perfect. You'll be there to take pictures, right? Like, of the surfers and everything. Just like you see in magazines and on the internet?"
Butterflies took flight in my stomach. This was my big break! This was what I had moved here to do. And finally I was going to be able to realize my dreams. Except now I had to go and buy lenses for my backup camera since my good camera was stolen.
It's hard for people to understand my obsession with my camera. A camera is a photographer's best friend. It's the paint an artist uses to create a beautiful masterpiece. Or the voice of a singer. Not having my camera was like a musician not having her instrument.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," I said quietly, and Summer grinned at me.
"This is what you've dreamed of, right?" she asked, pulling me in for a quick hug.
I nodded, tears forming behind my eyes. I would not cry. I would not cry.
I pulled away before I made an idiot of myself. "I've got to go. I need to stop by the camera store and pick up some lenses. I'll talk to you later?"
Summer waved and grabbed her things from behind the desk to leave as Juls and Gabby talked animatedly about the details of the event. For me, I'd need to be armed with all the tools necessary to take the most amazing pictures of my life.
* * *
I found Jimmy sitting at his desk several minutes later.
"Hey! Did you hear the big news?"
He looked up at me with a smile on his gorgeous face, but his eyes looked tired. "I did. Great news. Big event though. I've been working all afternoon on getting coverage. Fortunately, the police will be here to help as well."
"I didn't think of that. Will you be working late tonight?"
He shook his head, standing to stretch. All his muscles bulged and flexed, and I was momentarily stunned by the view. I heard a rough chuckle and jerked my gaze up to meet Jimmy's.
"When you look at me like that—"
I could feel the warmth crawling up my neck, and my cheeks burned.
"Want to go with me to the camera store?" I blurted, hoping he wouldn't finish his sentence.
Jimmy shook his head from side to side, a grin lifting one side of his mouth up. "Eventually we're going to have to talk about this," he said. Then mercifully answered my question. "Sure. When are you leaving?"
"As soon as I can. I'm not sure what time they close, so I'd like to get there early enough to catch them."
"I'm ready now, if you are," Jimmy said, flipping the power off on his computer screen and rounding the desk. The light in his eyes said he might be talking about something besides the camera store.
We walked to the parking lot in relative silence until Jimmy asked, "So why are you going to the camera store?"
Great. Safe topic. "I have to buy a long lens and a few other lenses for my backup. I hate doing it. I feel like I'm cheating on my real camera."
"That one—" He motioned toward the camera on my hip. "It isn't a real camera?"
"Of course it's a real camera. It's just not as good of a camera. Anyway, I didn't buy insurance for the other one, which is why I'm so determined to get it back. But since I'll need a long lens for tomorrow, I have to go ahead and get one for what I have on me."
I was still regretting not taking insurance out on my camera. Would a business owner not insure their brick-and-mortar building and equipment? It was a mistake I wouldn't make again once I had it back in my possession. And I would get it back.
I drove since it was my errand, and Jimmy slid into the passenger seat beside me. He was so large he took up all the space in my tiny Cooper. His legs were folded almost to his ears. I snickered, and Jimmy gave my shoulder a slight push.
"I can't help it if you drive a clown car, Red."
"It's a perfect size for me. I can't help it if I'm vertically challenged."
"All you need is some rain, and maybe you'll grow an inch or two."
I couldn't help it. I threw my head back in laughter. That was the funniest short person joke I'd ever heard. I usually didn't like to encourage him, but this time it was out of my control.
"Liked that one, did you?"
"Yeah, but don't get used to it."
We drove to the camera store that was in the next town over. The drive was scenic, the water on one side and the lush Hawaiian foliage on the other.
"How are you feeling since finding Kailani this morning?"
I couldn't believe it had only been that morning. I'd spent the day trying to keep the images out of my head, but with Jimmy's words they all came flooding back. I shook my head as if to dislodge the horrible memories.
"I'm ok. It was terrible. The worst thing I've ever seen." My hands had started to shake, so I squeezed the steering wheel a little tighter. Jimmy must have noticed, because he reached up and grabbed one of my hands, clasping it firmly in his.
"I'm sorry."
Shrugging, I said, "I know. Me too. I just want to figure out who did this to her. We weren't close, but I felt like we could have been. I hate that she died that way. Any word from Detective Ray?"
Jimmy still held my hand, and I was struggling to keep my attention on the road and not where he was touching me. He'd rested our hands on his very firm thigh. It was distracting.
"He called right before you walked into my office. They found heroin in Kailani's system. Enough to take down a large animal. You were right. She didn't kill herself."
"Couldn't she have overdosed on her own?"
"She could have, but there's no evidence of drugs in her apartment. If she had been the one to OD, she would still have had the syringe and vial there. It looks as if the killer made a mistake not leaving the evidence at the scene that w
ould have indicated that Kailani took her own life. I'm assuming he'd hoped that her slashed wrists would be all the proof the police needed to deem it a suicide."
I thought back to the substance that Derrick had passed to Dax. It was hard to believe that Dax might have killed Kailani, but it wasn't as hard to believe that Derrick could have had a hand in her death. Phil had indicated him already. Maybe Derrick knew she'd caught him on her cell phone and had made sure Kailani couldn't testify about what she'd seen and photographed.
"That's terrible. But maybe that means she didn't suffer. I'd hate to think that she was aware of what was going on." I trembled, and Jimmy brought my hand to his chest then bent his head and kissed the top of my hand.
"I won't let anything happen to you." His eyes were solemn, as if he'd fight to the death for me. Friendship? Or was it more?
I smiled in return, not really having a response to that statement. I wasn't sure it really even needed a response. Pulling into the parking space in front of the camera store, I was loath to get out of the car and let go of Jimmy's hand. It felt nice. Right.
The camera store was tiny, but being that it was located in Hawaii, a place where surfing was king, I knew it'd have what I needed.
After putting an obscene amount on my credit card, I picked up my purchases and walked back to the car. "Want to get a bite to eat?" I asked, putting the purchases in my trunk and locking the door.
"Does a fat baby eat cake?"
I gave him an eye roll of epic proportions. I was surprised my eyeballs didn't get stuck in the back of my head.
"It was better than the one I'd originally planned."
"I don't even want to know."
"You know you love me," he joked.
But I went utterly still. He meant as a friend, right? But the feelings I had for Jimmy were starting to feel like something other than friendship. Fortunately, Jimmy didn't seem to notice my lack of response, and we walked to a taco place nearby. I'd heard they had amazing fish tacos but had never stopped while visiting the camera store.
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