Moonlight Cocktail

by William Cassidy

  “Let’s have a look around and see if we can find anything else.”

  They walked around the field near the ‘Akia shrubs but found nothing. As Papa David surveyed the other plants that grew near the ‘Akia, Jack walked toward the road. On the edge of the road, where it met the mud on the field, he found what he was looking for.

  “I’ve found tire tread marks in the mud. It’s just where you would stop if you had pulled a little off the road but didn’t want to drive onto the field near the shrub.”

  “You’re right. There’s just enough room on the left side for another car to get by.”

  “Just enough room to avoid attracting a passerby’s attention,” Jack added. “I’ve got a digital camera in the glove compartment and I’m going to take some pictures of that bush, the cigarette butt, and these tire marks before we leave.”

  After photographing what they had found, Jack grabbed a piece of paper from the Jeep and walked back to the bush. He used the paper to lift the cigarette butt from the ground without touching it and wrapped the paper around it.

  “I have to admit I’m getting a kick out of this,” he said.

  “I can tell.”

  The sun was low on the horizon when Jack dropped Papa David off at his house in Haleiwa.

  “Thank you for helping me this afternoon, Papa David.”

  “It was my pleasure, Jack. Let me know if I can help in any other way.”

  “You’ve already been more than helpful. I can’t thank you enough, and I’ll keep your posted.”

  Jack called Katherine on his cell phone.

  “Good news. I think I made a breakthrough in the case today. I’ve got to see Dave as soon as possible. Do you mind my being a little late getting home tonight?”

  “Not at all, I have some paperwork to do anyway. I’ll keep my cell phone on wherever I am. But remember, we’ve got reservations at the Club for dinner with the Grants at eight-thirty.”

  “I’ll be home by eight.”

  Jack immediately dialed Dave McNeil’s number at Police Headquarters.

  “Dave.”

  “Jack, I wondered when I’d hear from you.”

  “I’ve got something. Can I meet you at your office?”

  “Come on down. Shall I call Dr. Wong?”

  “Yes.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  The sugar cane and pineapple fields that lined Kamehameha Highway whizzed by as Jack sped south from Haleiwa toward H-2 and their green crops took on a neon glow as they reflected the red tones of the setting sun. By the time he reached H-2, the sun had set and Jack turned the Jeep’s headlights on. They revealed a plain on either side of the highway, dense with sugar cane and pineapples.

  At Pearl City, Jack bore left onto H-1 and headed toward downtown Honolulu. He was convinced he had found evidence that would lead him and the police to the person who had poisoned Derek Reynolds.

  Holding the branch of ‘Akia in his left hand, Jack strode into Dave McNeil’s office, where Dave and Dr. Wong were sitting, drinking coffee.

  “Have you been trimming hedges at the Royal Hawaiian, Jack?” Dave asked with a broad grin.

  “No, but I have been cutting shrubs out on the Windward Shore near Kailua and this bud’s for you.”

  “What is it?”

  Dr. Wong immediately recognized it. “It’s ‘Akia, Dave, a very common ornamental shrub found everywhere on the island.”

  “That’s right, Doctor, but this particular ‘Akia is not like the ‘Akia found in other places on Oahu,” Jack explained. “This one is extremely toxic if consumed by humans.”

  “And how do you know that?” Dr. Wong asked.

  “I’ve been doing research at the Bishop Museum, and I’ve been talking with Papa David Wai’hee, who took me to the field near Kailua where this one grows.”

  “Papa David is a very well-respected practitioner of herbal medicine, Dave,” Dr. Wong told the detective.

  “Yes, he is, and he confirmed the research I did at the Museum,” Jack went on. “This particular form of ‘Akia is poisonous and it was used in an ancient Hawaiian ceremony to execute criminals by having them drink a potion with ‘Akia mixed in.”

  “This is a new one for me, Dave,” Dr. Wong said. “I’m familiar with most of the poisonous plants on the island but I didn’t know that ‘Akia was poisonous.”

  “Don’t feel bad, Doctor. There’s only one kind that’s poisonous and, according to Papa David, it only grows in one place on all of Oahu.”

  “Thank God for small favors,” Dave added.

  “So I assume you want me to extract fluid from this branch and compare it with the fluid from Derek Reynolds’ stomach to see if we get a match,” Dr. Wong said to Jack.

  “I do, and I’m willing to bet that you’ll get one.”

  “How much, Jack. A cigar from your private stock? A pound of your best Kailua Plantation coffee?” Dave asked with a smile.

  “Your choice, Dave, for another round of golf at your club.”

  “I’ll take it to the lab first thing in the morning, and we should have the results back by noon tomorrow,” Dr. Wong added.

  “Excellent, but that’s not all I have for you,” Jack said.

  “You’ve been busy,” Dave observed.

  “Yes, I have.” Jack pulled the paper containing the Camel cigarette butt out of his pocket and placed it and his digital camera on the detective’s desk.

  “The ‘Akia bush I found out there had been cut by a very sharp tool, probably very recently, and the other branches of the bush had been rearranged to hide the cut. I’ve got pictures that show it. And I found this cigarette butt on the ground under the branch that had been cut.”

  Dave took the cigarette butt from Jack’s paper with a pair of tweezers that he drew from his desk drawer and placed it in a plastic evidence bag.

  “I hope you didn’t touch this butt with your hands. We might be able to get some evidence from it,” Dave said.

  “I know how to play the game, Dave. But, at a minimum, we now know that the person who left it smokes Camels and is interested in ‘Akia.”

  “We may very well be able to get even more useful evidence from it,” Dave said.

  “Like DNA?” Jack asked.

  “Yes, and maybe even a fingerprint.”

  “I’ve got more,” Jack announced, pointing to his digital camera on Dave’s desk. “Photographs of tire tracks on the edge of the field. Someone had pulled off the road just far enough to let a car pass by.”

  Jack pushed his digital camera across the desk to Dave and asked him to display the photographs on his computer.

  “These are great pictures, Jack. They’re very clear,” Dave said.

  “They’re yours, old boy. Just maintain the chain of custody on all this stuff, and we’ll have the beginnings of a case with some very tangible as well as demonstrative evidence.”

  “Spoken like a true prosecutor. I appreciate you efforts, Jack, and I’ll let you know what the lab says.”

  “Thanks, Dave. And, by the way, I’m having dinner with Gordon tonight. Do you want me to pass anything on to him?”

  “Just tell him we’re hoping to wrap the interviews up in a day or so.”

  “I’ll do it. Have a good evening, Dr. Wong.”

  Jack was elated as he got back into his Jeep and drove to the Royal Hawaiian. He was confident he had discovered evidence of a crime and not merely the remnants of a botanical field trip. His exuberance was apparent when he opened the door to their apartment and saw Katherine smiling at him.

  “You’ve obviously solved the mystery of Derek Reynolds’ murder,” Katherine said.

  “How can you tell?”

  “It’s written all over your face. Jump in the shower and get dressed. We’re running late. You can tell me all about it on the way to the Club.”

  By the time they reached the Diamond Head Canoe Club, Jack had recited the entire chronology of his day: learning of the Lanes’ interest in Hawaiian plants; reading a
bout the use of ‘Akia in ancient Hawaiian rituals; finding the poisonous ‘Akia shrubs that had recently been cut, the cigarette butt, and the tire tracks in the field near Kailua; and finally, his meeting with Dave McNeil and Dr. Wong.

  “I think you’re on the right track, Jack. It certainly feels that way.”

  “That’s what I think. Now I’ve got to take the next step.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’ll tell you after dinner,” Jack said as they entered the Club and greeted Noa Watson.

  While Katherine stopped to talk to Noa, Jack noticed Sidney Lane sitting alone at the bar and waved to her.

  “Jack,” Sidney said, waving back at him and motioning for him to join her.

  “Hello, Sidney, how are you?”

  “I’m fine, Jack. And you?”

  “I’m well. Is George here?”

  “Yes, somewhere. Jack, I ran into Arthur Fairbanks today, and he mentioned your interest in Hawaiian plants. How have you developed an interest in such an arcane part of Hawaii’s culture?”

  “Oh, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about Hawaii now that we’re living here.”

  “We did the same thing when we first came here.”

  “Yes, Arthur told me you have quite a garden. I’d love to see it.”

  “George and I would be thrilled to have you come by. Just give us a call. We love to show off our gardens.”

  “Thank you, Sidney. I’ll do that.”

  “Say hello to Katherine for me.”

  “I will.”

  Katherine had made her way to the Grants’ table out on the Lanai next to the seawall. As President of the Club, Gordon had exclusive use of the President’s Table, which had the best view of Waikiki and, behind it, the City of Honolulu. The President’s table also enjoyed the delightful accompaniment of the Pacific surf as it danced against the seawall that separated the Lanai from the ocean.

  “Sullivan, you didn’t paddle today,” Gordon called as Jack approached.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I know all. I have sources. The waves tell me. The fish tell me. The birds tell me.”

  “You’re right. I was doing some research.”

  “Research is no excuse, Sullivan. You must serve the master of the seas or be forever barred from Neptune’s Kingdom.”

  “Jack, ignore my husband. He’s full of himself as usual. How are you, my dear?” Georgia said as Jack sat down at the table.

  “I’m well. And you?”

  “Wonderful. I’m here with my best friend, your beautiful and glamorous wife.”

  “You are too much,” Katherine said.

  “By the way, Jack, I saw you talking to Sidney Lane at the bar. What was that about?”

  “Oh, I’ve developed an interest in tropical plants and I mentioned it to Arthur Fairbanks, who told me about the Lanes’ gardens out on the Windward Shore. Arthur told Sidney of my interest, and she invited me to stop by for a tour.”

  “They’re spectacular,” Gordon observed.

  “I agree,” Georgia said. “Gordon and I have been out there several times. She and George know everything about tropical plants and even how they were used in Hawaiian ceremonies.”

  “Well, I told her I’d stop by soon and have a look.”

  “Is Sidney alone, Jack?” Georgia asked.

  “No, I think George is here. Why?”

  “Oh, I thought she might be meeting that young actor I talked to at the party Monday night,” Georgia said with a conspiratorial wink.

  “You mean Lance Forbes? Why in the world would Sidney be meeting him here?” Katherine asked.

  “Well, I saw him hitting on her Monday night. He really does have a thing for older actresses.”

  “Georgia, just because he was talking to her doesn’t mean he was hitting on her,” Gordon chided.

  “I know what I’m talking about. He talked to her for quite a while after he talked to me. Trust me. They had moved beyond the weather and the waves.”

  “Well, there’s George heading into the bar, so I guess that mystery is solved,” Gordon said. “No scandal tonight, my dear. Now let’s order before the kitchen closes.”

  After they ordered, Jack and Gordon discussed the interviews that Dave McNeil was overseeing.

  “Jack, the detectives have been interviewing employees here at the Club.”

  “Anything turn up yet?”

  “Not that they’ve told me.”

  “That’s not unusual, Gordon. They usually keep that stuff to themselves.”

  “Well, on a lighter note, are you and Katherine ready for Dillingham’s radio show?”

  “We are. Peter’s been so enthusiastic that I thought he was about to require black tie for the inaugural broadcast.”

  “He really should,” Katherine observed.

  “That would be elegant, but no one in Hawaii dresses for dinner these days,” Georgia said.

  “I’ll wear my finest silk Aloha shirt,” Gordon said with authority.

  “You know, he’s put us all at the table closest to the broadcaster, who remains a mystery as far as I know,” Katherine said.

  “I’ll bet it’s going to be Peter Dillingham himself,” said Georgia. “I just have a feeling.”

  “Peter would be perfect. He’s got a great radio voice, and no one knows more about Old Hawaii than Dillingham,” Gordon added.

  The Sullivan’s and the Grant’s ate and tried to laugh their way through the evening, but even the warm breeze could not lift the cloud over Derek’s fate from their thoughts and conversation. It cast a discernable pall over the evening.

  Jack and Katherine had barely pulled out of the Club’s driveway when Katherine asked the question she had been thinking about all evening.

  “So, my dear, what is the next step in your investigation?”

  “Hollywood.”

  “Hollywood?”

  “Hollywood. I’m going to call my old client Bob Street to see what he knows about Derek Reynolds and, more importantly, what he knows about those who knew Reynolds and didn’t like him.”

  “Who is Bob Street?”

  “About ten years ago, I represented a company he used to work for and, over the years, we’ve stayed in touch. He used to practice law but he’s a producer now, with his own company, and doing quite well. He also knows the buzz about everything that’s going on in Hollywood.”

  “What do you think you’ll get out of him?”

  “I don’t know yet, but Bob will know something. And you know what else? I’m going to take Sidney Lane up on her invitation to see the Lanes’ Hawaiian gardens tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  The next morning, Jack got up earlier than he usually did on Saturday, anxious to call Bob Street, whose day in Los Angeles began two hours earlier than Honolulu’s. He left Katherine sleeping, showered and dressed, and made the morning pot of Kona coffee. Hearing the floor creak, Jack looked up from the French Press and saw a half-awake Katherine staring at him.

  “Morning, handsome, what are you doing?”

  “I want to call Bob before he gets too busy.”

  “But now I’m awake.”

  “Why did you wake up?”

  “Because you weren’t there.” She stretched languidly, causing her blonde hair to fall over her eyes.

  “Then you should join me as I move one step closer to solving the murder of Derek Reynolds.”

  “You really think he’ll know something useful?” Katherine asked as she leaned against Jack at the kitchen counter.

  “I do. Bob’s a player on the Hollywood scene. Other producers consult him about movies they’re thinking about making. They also call him when they’re looking for financial backing.”

  “Haven’t I met him?”

  “He rarely travels east. We invited him to our wedding but he couldn’t come because his girlfriend was sick and he didn’t want to leave her.”

  “Oh, now I remember him. We had dinner with him once when he came east
to visit some relatives?”

  “That’s right. You did meet him.”

  “I think I’ll take a pass on your telephone call and join you for breakfast later.”

  Jack gathered his thoughts, finished his cup of coffee, and dialed Bob’s number in Santa Monica. It was seven-thirty in Los Angeles and, unless he was out at a film shoot, Bob would still be home.

  “Hello,” said the familiar voice at the other end of the line.

  “Bob, this is Jack Sullivan, how are you?”

  “Hey, Jack. I’m fine. How’s your Hawaiian adventure going?”

  “It’s going great. I’ve got the coffee plantation up and running.”

  “You know, Jack, I still can’t believe you did it. You must be the only guy in the western hemisphere to leave a partnership at a big law firm for the insanity and insecurity of the commodities market.”

  “It was time for new challenges.”

  “I know what you mean. Nearly every lawyer I know here in L.A. will tell you after one drink how much he wants to get out of it.”

  “You hear a lot of that these days, but I can’t complain. It was good to me. I probably wouldn’t be out here if I hadn’t done that first.”

  “Well, hell, with your talent, you can always go back to it if you want to. So, what can I do for you?”

  “Bob, do you know or, I guess I should say, did you know Derek Reynolds?”

  “Yes, I knew him quite well. What interests you about Derek? Are you working on a case?”

  “Sort of. I’ll fill you in later.”

  “Well, I’ll tell you, I was stunned by his death over in your part of the world. In fact, my first thought was that he’d be alive today if he hadn’t decided to film part of that movie on Oahu. But then I realized it might not have mattered, because the other movie he was thinking about making was also set in Hawaii.”

  “How do you know so much about the movies he was making?”

  “He asked me to take a look at two screenplays he’d read and liked. Frankly, I think he wanted me to join him as a financial partner as much as to get my thoughts on the screenplays.”

  “Did you read them?”

  “Yeah, I read both of them and I preferred the one he decided not to make. I thought he made a mistake. So did his wife.”