by Reina Torres
The detective nodded. “I understand. When I left, she wasn’t using the oxygen mask anymore, but as for what I need. I’ll need you guys to make statements-”
“Done.” Mace held up a clipboard with a bunch of papers on it. “We filled them out while we waited.”
“Okay, I guess that’s what we need.” The detective held out a hand to Train. “I’ll be in touch if we-”
“They beat me, you know!” Miles tried to get up from the bench but his ankle buckled and he collapsed back onto the hard wood. “They beat me up before they brought me in.” He held up his arm toward the detective. “You can see what they did to me on my arms… my legs… take a look! They tortured me!”
Miles looked down at the zip ties around his wrists.
“Take this off me and I’ll show you.”
Detective Santos looked at Train. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”
Train gave Mace a nod. “Take off the cuff.”
A smile curled Mace’s lip. He reached into his back pocket and when his hand came back around, he flicked open a knife that made Miles blanche even more. “Whatever you want, Train.”
Mace stalked toward the suddenly sobbing mess. “Come on, Miles. You wanted the cuffs off.”
Shado was enough to hold Miles still and with a quick flick of Mace’s wrist, the plastic ties fell to the linoleum under their feet.
Gasping in fear, Miles pulled up his sleeves to show his forearms to the detective. “See? Do you see these marks?”
The detective moved closer and narrowed his gaze as he examined Miles’ arms. When he’d gotten his fill, he stepped back and nodded at Miles. “You certainly got beat up and by the looks of it, it was one mean ass moa.”
Miles’ triumphant grin soured in seconds. “Moa? What’s that?”
Train smiled first. And his smile caught around the room, going from Delta to Delta until even the other officers were laughing at their prisoner.
Santos got in the final word. “Moa, asshole… means chicken. Looks like you stumbled into the wrong yard in Lihue.”
When all was said and done, Ku‘uipo had the privilege to witness the purest form of Aloha that happens in a community. People coming together to make things right.
Taking the hand of her good friend, she hobbled out onto the temporary dais that a party rental company had erected beside the lagoon and sat in a high-backed rattan chair that a local school used for their May Day celebrations.
Even with the thick wrapping they had administered to her ankle and the bandages that swaddled her hands after they’d cleaned out the splinters and treated her torn skin, Ku‘uipo was going to acknowledge the amazing work that everyone had done.
The band playing under a large party tent faded away as the local representative of the tourism bureau got up beside Ku‘uipo and gave her a tentative one-armed hug as the assembled crowd gave the moment a round of applause.
“Aloha and welcome to the Grand Opening of the Kailani Palms!”
A bigger round of applause was mixed in with cheers.
“I know all of you are eager to take tours of the grounds and see what wonderful accommodations and event spaces are a part of this unique hotel, so I am going to make this as short as possible.”
He turned and nodded to Ku‘uipo.
“I’m also sure that you have heard about the harrowing morning that Miss Ornellas has had. As soon as this ribbon cutting is over, she’s going to have the opportunity to sit down and have people cater to her every need like she has done for her staff for the last year.
“You will all have a chance to revisit the history of this location and its legendary visitors, but you’ll also see all of the hard work that has gone into making the Kailani Palms a beacon of the future for our hospitality industry here in Hawai‘i.”
The distinctive sound of a conch shell was heard, calling out from a short distance away.
Ku‘uipo turned her head to look at Uluwehi. He had originally volunteered to do it but changed at the last minute to be her assistance up to the dais and make sure she didn’t fall on her face in front of dozens of cameras.
Now, she had to wonder who he had charmed into taking his place.
Another long airy blast of the conch was heard and the crowd shifted. Ku‘uipo leaned to the side to catch a glimpse and felt Uluwehi’s hand on her arm. “Steady.”
“Come on, spill. Who is it?”
“You’re like the worst person to surprise,” he laughed, “can’t you just wait and see?”
Her ankle was aching and the pain medications that she’d willingly taken were starting to wear off at an alarming rate, but there was no way she was going to sit down and admit defeat. Not now.
Not when so many people had gone above and beyond to make this opening happen, even going so far as to lend her the clothes on her back. So, she could stand and wait, but being patient was still a stretch.
The crowd shifted again and she could see a flash of red cloth and the green ferns of a haku lei as the runner stopped and raised the conch shell to his lips.
She was, in a word, stunned.
Efrain stood, backlit in sunlight with the never-ending ocean behind him. She could tell from the admiring murmurs coming from the assembled audience that they were all transfixed by the same site.
He was clothed only in the fern haku on his head and the traditional malo that was tied around his hips and waist. The length of fabric that reached from his waist to mid-thigh front and back did nothing to hide the muscled form that she was sure she knew like the back of her hand.
Whether it was a fine sheen of sweat or someone’s evil sense of humor to add oil to his skin, Efrain was the center of attention for the crowd, cameras trained on his incredible body.
But when he lowered the conch shell, he took a moment to meet her eyes across the lagoon and she was fairly sure her legs were going to give out. Who on earth could resist that smile and those warm, amazing eyes?
One last length of his journey took him to the base of the dais, where he turned and faced the crowd one last time and blew a long resonant note through the shell.
Ku‘uipo was grateful that the trade winds carried barely any strength with them, because the wind that lifted the edge of the malo at the back gave her a delicious view of his spectacular backside.
She needed to focus.
Uluwehi handed the ceremonial scissors to the representative from the tourism bureau because Ku‘uipo wasn’t able to use her hands for anything. Together they stood there and watched as the over-sized, etched scissors was used to cut the red and yellow ribbons in front of the plaque designating the site as a Historical Landmark.
Applause and cheers rang off the walls of the buildings surrounding them. They all stood still for pictures and after an awkward arm-shake with the gentlemen from the tourism bureau, Uluwehi helped Ku‘uipo walk to the high-backed rattan chair and take her seat.
She almost groaned at how amazing it felt to sit down and take the pressure off her feet, and the broad arms of the chair allowed her to rest her forearms on them and keep her hands clear of pressure on her palms.
Around her, the crowd was dissipating, searching out all of the exciting places to visit within the hotel and its grounds, but there was only one person that held her attention.
Efrain.
The way that man looked in that strip of cloth was sinful.
Uluwehi leaned down and gave her a wink. “Just remember, you’re in public.”
“I know,” she lifted her hand to smack him lightly on the shoulder before remembering that she’d have to wait until later to get her revenge.
She narrowed her eyes as Efrain stepped up onto the first step up toward the main stage of the dais. His sure stride and the heated look in his eyes told her she was in deep, deep, trouble.
As he moved closer, she saw the way the malo was tied around Efrain’s body, the precise method looked very familiar. She looked at her friend with a knowing smile. “You tied that fo
r him.”
Uluwehi shrugged. “Of course.” He winked at her. “You’re welcome.”
She couldn’t help the way her smile deepened. “I guess I should say thanks, but that was supposed to be you in that.”
“Like I said. ‘You’re welcome.’ And,” he leaned in closer, “you can take it all off with one, well-placed tug.” He whispered the secret to her and walked away.
Efrain made his way to her chair and lifted his free hand to brush her hair back from her face. “You look so beautiful. Like a queen.”
She lifted her hands and looked at the bandages. “More like a mummy from where I’m sitting.”
“Hey,” Train’s voice sounded tight as it emerged from his throat, “when I think of what could have happened to you, those bandages look like satin gloves.”
“When I came to you were already gone,” she couldn’t quite keep the pain out of her voice. “I know where you went, so I should thank you.”
“Ipo,” his voice softened as his fingertips traced the high curve of her cheekbone, “I wish I could have been in both places, but the paramedics told me you were breathing and your heart rate was strong. I had to make sure that he wasn’t going to hurt you ever again.”
“Efrain?”
He smiled at her, his eyes moving over her face like a caress. “I love the way you say my name.”
“And I love the way you say mine.” She started to reach out her hand and then stopped when she saw the bandages around her palms. She turned back to focus on him. “I have some things that I’d like to say to you, but not here. Not with all of these people around.” A strange thought hit her and she shook her head, laughing softly.
“What is it?”
She saw his smile and felt the way he trailed his fingertips along her wrist between her bandages and the edge of her sleeve.
“I just don’t know where we’d go.” Her head hung down as she struggled not to give in and start to cry.
“Why don’t you let me worry about it. I can do that much.” he gave her a little shrug and she was desperately trying not to notice the way the sunlight played across his tanned skin and muscles. “Besides, I have a few things to say to you too.”
Smiling, she noticed a steadily growing group of admirers on the lawn. “You better go and say hello to your fans. Looks like you’re going to be Elvis for a day.”
Winking at her, he did a little movement with his hips and curled part of his upper lip as he lowered his voice into a recognizable rasp. “Thank you, thank you very much.”
Officer Kim turned at the sound of footsteps coming toward the holding cell. Dragging a steadying breath into his lungs he saw Detective Santos stop short a few feet away. The two looked at each other and let a moment of silence pass them by. “I called the coroner.”
The detective nodded but didn’t step past the open cell door. “What do you see in there?”
Pulling out a pen from his shirt pocket, Officer Kim crouched down beside Miles Kirkendahl’s body and nudged one of the deceased’s fingers. With that slight touch, Detective Santos saw the edge of a little plastic bag.
“Suicide?”
Santos shook his head. “I doubt it. We need to find out where he got that from. He was cleared before we put him in the cell. He didn’t have that on him.”
Nodding, Officer Kim looked over into the other cell. It was empty. “There were a few guys that we had in there from last night. A couple of drunks and local fisherman for a petty beef. I can track them down.”
“Good. Go ahead and do that.”
Before Kim could move out of the cell, he looked at his old friend. “What are you thinking? Why aren’t you just going to leave this alone.”
“He died in our custody,” Detective Santos shook his head, “but more important than that, if this was intentional… if someone gave him the drugs to get rid of him… then there’s a bigger problem out there. Someone who was pulling his strings. If there’s still someone out there who didn’t just want him dead… but made it happen, then we need to find them too.”
Ku‘uipo was half asleep in the office when she felt someone touch her shoulder, startling her awake. “Hey.”
She just couldn’t help the soft smile that touched her lips when she saw Efrain standing beside her.
“Sorry for the wait, I had to get a few last-minute things.”
“I’m not complaining.” She yawned and started to stand, but she felt his hand on her shoulder.
“You’re supposed to be giving your hands a rest.”
She shrugged. “I’m pretty sure I’m okay. My doctor will remove the bandages in a day or two and I’ll just have to be careful.”
Efrain held still for a moment. Then he closed the door and pulled a seat up before her. “You know, I don’t think we can wait to talk until later. We should talk now.”
“Now?” She looked around at the office and shook her head. “Anyone could come in.”
“Your friend is standing guard outside.”
“Uluwehi?”
Efrain’s grin was addictive. “The very one. In fact, he’s an amazing concierge. The guy knows his stuff and his people. He’s the one who set up the rest of the night for us but given how smart he is at reading people. I’m pretty sure he knew we were going to end up talking here, in the office.”
“Okay,” she hesitated. “What did you want to tell me?”
She saw his smile and the bright light in his eyes, but even with all of that in front of her, she worried.
She tensed up.
“Actually,” she swallowed hard and couldn’t seem to move the knot in her throat, “I’d like to talk first.”
Efrain hesitated but nodded for her to continue.
“I know I was upset last night. And it didn’t make much sense then.” Smiling at her own stupid fears. “And today? After everything that happened… after everything you did for me, I had to take a good hard look at where my head was. Where my heart was.
“You popped up in my life when I was dead set against anything derailing my goals. And I was sure from the first moment that I met you… you were going to do just that.
“But I was wrong. Getting to know you? Finding out about myself because of you? They didn’t take away from my job or my plans. I think… No, I know that having you in my life made things clear. Well, clear-er.”
“I’m glad to help where I can.”
She gave him a mock glare and then eased back into their conversation. “I’m not good at this boyfriend-girlfriend thing. I don’t date much if you can even call it that. And I don’t just fall in love,” she blinked back a sheen of tears in her eyes, “but I did. I fell in love with you.”
“Ipo, I-”
“Please, let me finish.”
He nodded and she sighed in relief.
“But I can’t just follow you back to Oʻahu. I have a job here and responsibilities that I asked for. Something I’ve been training for and there are responsibilities that I have, to more than just the property, but to the people as well.
“So, I’m going to make you an offer and it’s probably going to suck for one or both of us, but I’ve been thinking about it and not just in the last few days. Before that it was just wishful thinking. Wondering how this was going to change after you left.”
“And what’s the offer?”
“The offer,” she smiled and felt her cheeks heat up with something she couldn’t name, “is that we don’t put titles on things. We don’t draw lines in the sand. We just see where things go. That seems to be the easiest thing for both of us.”
“And if I don’t want easy?” Efrain leaned even closer. “What if I like the idea that we’re a complete mess of a relationship. That we don’t have a plan, but we’re just going to do everything we can to be together when we have the chance.
“And if you tell me that’s too crazy for you, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying to convince you to give us a chance in the long haul. I don’t just fall in love with people
left and right, Ipo. I fell in love with you and your dreams, so there’s no way that I’m going to make you stop what you’re doing because of where I’m based and what my team means to me.”
“So, we’re an unlikely pair of peas in a pod. I feel the same about my people.
“And I have to see this through.” She made it very clear.
“Just like I have to be with my unit. We’re just a pair of dedicated people.”
Even with her hands bandaged, she managed to touch the tips of her fingers to his arm.
It wasn’t the kind of connection she wanted with him at that moment, and yet it seemed like the most appropriate for the moment. All she was armed with was her heart and her mind, but Efrain seemed to like them too.
“I love you, Ku‘uipo Ornellas. I love the way you commit to your dreams and someday I hope you’ll feel that way about me.”
“Someday?” She shook her head. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Even before I woke up to that fire, I knew that I was going to talk to you about us. I was going to find some way to make it work as long as you did.”
“Oh,” he grinned, his eyes sparkling like the stars in the night sky, “I want it to work, but longer than what you’re suggesting. When I say I love you, that’s it. That’s what I have to offer. Me. And you can have me however you want me.”
Her shoulders shook with laughter. “I’m going to have you,” she sighed, “but not tonight.” Holding up her hands she shrugged. “I’m out of commission for anything more than laying on my back and keeping my hands from being squished under me.”
“And again,” he leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers, “you misunderstand. When we’re together, Ipo, we’re going to be together. So tonight, Uluwehi found us a love cabin by one of the black sand beaches.”
“That sounds sweet,” she began, “but I don’t have anything to wear to the beach. Maybe you forgot that-”
“I didn’t forget a thing, sweetheart. You don’t have anything to wear and that will be fixed soon enough. Hi‘ilani is headed out to the stores tomorrow. She’ll pick up whatever you need and have it shipped to you, but while she’s doing that, I’m going to take advantage of the idea that you’ll be naked and stuck in a cabin with me for at least a day. And whatever you can’t reach or do with your hands, all you have to do is tell me and I’ll make sure it’s done.”
