“Why would the police manipulate evidence?” I asked. “Even if there is a government conspiracy, they have no reason to become involved.”
“Juliana was a nurse in the Army before she came here. She blew the whistle on a big cover-up.” Kai leaned casually against Benni’s side. “You believe me, yah?”
Benni gave Kai a reassuring hug and kissed her head. “Of course I do. McKenna will too. You just have to be persistent.”
Kai leaned forward and let out an exaggerated sigh before turning her charms on Chance. He seemed unfazed by the concept of a former Army nurse giving up medicine to become a nanny. Career changes were nothing new to him. He wasn’t even thirty and was already on his fourth. He changed jobs almost as often as underwear.
Chance had told me being a PI was his dream. I suspected it had more to do with fulfilling his Magnum, PI fetish than actually “hearing the call.” Whatever his reason, it was his issue to work out, not mine.
“How long has she been your nanny?” Chance asked, assuming a posture much like Kai’s.
Could he be mirroring her? If so, it was a smart move to establish rapport on Chance’s part—one I hadn’t taught him. For a moment, I wondered if he might actually be learning something from that scammer. I dismissed the thought. No way. Any business called the Phillip Marlowe Online Detective Agency had to be a scam. The whole thing was bogus and all he was learning from them was how to throw away money.
“Juliana was a nurse forever—like, twenty years. She got fired when she blew the whistle on her boss.”
“How old is Juliana?” I asked.
Kai shifted so her elbows rested on her knees. Chance followed suit. Damn, he was mirroring her. I’d have to ask him where he learned the technique after we ditched the kid.
“She’s old,” said Kai. “But, she’s cool.”
“How old is old, kid?”
Chance and everyone else gave me the evil eye. Sheesh, all I wanted to do was get this girl home to her parents and let the cops do their jobs. How come my good intentions made me the bad guy?
“Forty, I think.”
I was about to get snarky again when she added, “But, she’s cool. Like you. Talking to Great Great Grampa Kimu, that’s awesome.”
I suppressed a groan. The word was out with Alexander’s family. Kimu had adopted McKenna. Ghost helps sleuth solve murders through wacky dreams. Yeah, the papers would love the catchy headline. “Thanks, kid.”
Chance sat up straight, apparently satisfied he’d gotten what he wanted. “Kai, I’m on board.” He winked at Lexie, who was beaming at him. “Now all we have to do is convince McKenna. He’s such a stick-in-the-mud sometimes—okay, a lot of the time.” He flashed me one of his trademark movie-star smiles. Yeah, that was one of his former careers, too.
I returned the favor with a smirk just as the boat rose with a large swell. Alexander, who had been watching the “Let’s Make McKenna Squirm” show, jumped up and hurried into the cockpit. A moment later, the engines kicked on and we turned into the swells.
Alexander might have the Hawaiian Delight back on-course, but this conversation was not. Don’t get me wrong. I love the thrill of the hunt—it’s the fear of failure that scares me to death.
Benni left her seat and plopped down onto the bench next to me. She put a hand on my arm. Oh, man. Not fair.
“McKenna? How can you turn down a child who needs your help?”
I swallowed hard and watched as Lexie put an arm around Kai’s shoulder. Kai leaned into Lexie and smiled at me.
Chance chuckled. “Yeah, McKenna. How can you refuse a child?”
Kira still stood, leaning against the cabin wall, taking in the action. Her broad smile told me she was getting tremendous satisfaction in seeing me squirm. Was there anybody on this boat with a lick of common sense?
Another swell pitched the bow up, then down hard. Over the past couple of years, I’d started reading signs into almost everything in nature. Were the sudden swells a sign from Kimu? Was he telling me to help Kai? Or turn her down?
I gazed to the horizon. The pinks had darkened to crimson, grays to black, and the last rays of gold etched the sky like beacons in the night.
The voice that spoke was mine, but I couldn’t believe the words were. “Kai, tell me again why you’re so sure Juliana’s innocent.”
“Because Juliana wouldn’t hurt anyone. I know her. She didn’t do it.”
“Look, kid, sometimes people are forced to do things they don’t want to do.”
“No. Juliana didn’t do it.”
“Okay, I get it. You believe she's innocent, but that doesn't mean I have to go along with your version of the facts."
My name began echoing around the group. It sounded like some sort of new swear word. Even I thought I’d crossed the line. Across from me, Kai’s lower lip tightened. I was forcing her to confront the facts, not her opinions.
“Juliana wouldn’t do that to me.” Kai’s words were slow and deliberate. Her voice shook as she leaned closer to Lexie.
To my side, I felt Benni stiffen. Pressure built behind my eyes. Good grief, what was I doing, acting like the inquisitor of a ten-year-old? How low could I sink?
Benni left me to kneel in front of Kai. “Do what, sweetheart?”
“Go to jail.” A lonely tear trickled down Kai’s cheek. She swiped it away with the palm of her hand, then took a deep breath. “We swore we’d never do anything that would tear us apart. She wouldn’t break her promise.”
The dark outline of a sailboat traced a slow path across the horizon. Soon, the darkening sunset would swallow it up as the crew continued on their journey. Whether their destination was near or far, who knew?
What I did know was the lessons we learned were what life was all about. It was the journey and those lessons that mattered most. Around me, swells lapped against the hull. The gentle shushing was the only sound as all eyes rested on me. I’d been like the sailboat on the horizon far too long. Now, I had ‘ohana—a family, friends. They were here. We were all aboard the Hawaiian Delight by a quirk of fate or some grand design. Either way, Kai was one of my ‘ohana. She wanted me to go on a journey.
“Will you take the case?” It was Kai, her tone confident, even hopeful.
“You said you have more than a hundred bucks, yah?”
A smile spread across Kai’s face as she sat up straighter. “One hundred nine dollars and twelve cents.”
“You’re going to charge her?” Benni gaped at me.
To my side, Chance said, “McKenna, we can’t take money from a child.”
“I don’t want charity.” Kai held her head high.
“Understood,” I said. “Give Benni the twelve cents. That will be our retainer. Chance and I will bill you for our services when we’ve cleared your friend.”
I heard Chance mumble his agreement as Benni took a dime and two pennies from Kai.
No sooner had Benni stuffed the money into her pocket than Kai looked straight at me. “Can I get a receipt?”
CHAPTER THREE
Once the business of Kai hiring a detective for chump change was out of the way, we all agreed it was time for dinner. The only thing left to do was break out the food. Kai’s request for help, rather than buoying my sense of importance, weighed on my spirits.
It was no wonder she'd bonded with her nanny, the poor kid saw more of her than anyone else. The thought of finding evidence the opposite of what Kai hoped for scared me to no end. Halfway back to the Honolulu Harbor, I was still wavering. Should we begin the investigation? What would I do if we proved Juliana guilty, not innocent?
Screwing up this case could be the equivalent of showing Alexander and his relatives I was a fraud—a guy whose beginner’s luck had run out. My reputation as the haole Alexander and his little niece had trusted—and who had failed them—would spread.
Benni stopped chatting with Kai, Lexie, and Chance, then came and sat next to me. “You look glum.”
My smile was weak. My th
oughts as she’d described. In the short time since we’d met, Benni had connected with my moods on a level I couldn’t comprehend. She had me figured out and the process didn’t work in reverse.
“I’m worried about what will happen if Kai is wrong.”
“You can’t turn her down just because you don't want to disappoint a little girl.”
“It feels so unfair. Nice kid. Parents both working big jobs. They hire a nanny and she turns out to be a killer. It sucks.”
“Sucks? Is that a professional skip tracing term?”
I took her hand in both of mine. “Yeah, it means the situation stinks and I can’t walk away.”
“Very profound.” Benni nodded solemnly. “Are you going to meet with Juliana?”
“If I can.” Chance, Kira, Lexie, and Alexander were gathered around Kai. “Let me join this little powwow and see what we can arrange.”
Some people adapt to the sea easily. I’m not one of them. The rolling of the Hawaiian Delight deck made even little things a challenge. For instance, take walking from Point A to Point B. For me, the trip was a zigzag journey involving multiple touch points. One hand was always on something, and my steps were more side-to-side than direct. I made progress in the same general direction, but the cops would nail me with a breathalyzer test on dry land. Here, it was business as usual.
Even sitting down became a complex task involving timing the butt’s descent with the chair’s rise. Unfortunately, my timing stunk and I landed hard on the bench seat next to Chance.
“No more wine for you,” he said with a sideways glance.
“I’ve got no sea legs at all. Look, we need to set up a meeting with Juliana.”
“I’ve already talked to Kai about setting it up, Boss.”
“I’m not your boss,” I snapped.
Lexie leaned back in her seat, both eyebrows raised. Kai’s jaw fell open. She shook her head, looking at me as though I’d already disappointed her.
My cheeks burned. Rude—again. What was I becoming? “Sorry, that didn’t come out the way I intended.”
Chance smiled. “No worries.”
“We’re meeting Juliana at the dock,” Kai said.
“Of course she is. How'd you make those arrangements?”
“I texted her.”
If nothing else, the kid knew how to get results. During the rest of our trip, Kai talked about surfing with Chance. They discussed the different board sizes. At one point, Kai volunteered to give him free lessons. They set up a surfing date for the following week. Kai invited Lexie, who declined with the excuse of needing to work. Of course, Lexie had lived here all her life. The truth was she probably didn’t want to show Chance up out on the waves.
The harbor lights glowed brighter as we neared the port. When we glided past the breakwater, Alexander announced we were half an hour early. Kai assumed a spot on the bow without being asked, and Kira moved to the stern. I marveled at how they both adapted to their environment. Sea or land, in the water or on top, they were both at home in all situations. I suppose it was one of the benefits of living in a land where everything revolved around the water.
We drifted into the slip, water swishing against the hull. A hooded figure waited off to one side. A woman? Slim build. Her hips swayed as she moved out of the shadows. The night air was warm and pleasant, so why was she wearing the hood up? She looked like someone who wanted to remain incognito.
The figure moved with quick, purposeful steps to the edge of the dock and caught the line Kai tossed. At first, I thought it might be Kai’s mother, but if that was the case, where was her dad? Our helper secured the line while Kira figure-eight wrapped hers around the stern’s cleat.
A symphony of metal clanking against metal filled the night. Sailboat lines and clips swayed in the breeze. Kai waited for the bow to drift closer, then hopped to the dock. She ran into the open arms of the hooded stranger and the hood fell to one side. I caught a glimpse of blonde hair. Could this be Juliana?
Alexander came and stood next to me. “Kira gonna go let Kai’s mom and dad in.” He pointed at the stranger. “They see her, it gonna be big trouble.”
So it was Juliana. “How’d she get past the gate?” I asked.
“Patience, brah. And somebody being careless. Happens a lot.” He nodded at Kai and Juliana, who spoke in hushed tones. “You betta go talk to them while you can.”
To my embarrassment, Alexander gave me a hand as I stepped cautiously to the dock. For a moment, I relished the stability. At last, a surface that wasn't moving. No rise, no fall. Thank goodness.
Alexander took care of securing the boat while Chance and I approached Juliana and Kai. We did a hasty round of introductions and I noticed Kira was nowhere in sight. She'd most likely gone to let the Palakikos in the front gate, which meant we didn't have a lot of time. I cut straight to the chase. “Did you kill your boss?”
Kai squinted at me as though she could intimidate me, but Juliana pulled her close and kissed the top of the girl’s head. “It’s okay, Kai. He needs to ask.” She looked straight into my eyes. “No. I didn’t.”
“Why do the police think you did?”
“It’s a long story. I'll give you the short version. Some very high-up government officials think I’m a pain and would like to see me paid back for the trouble I've caused them. They already took my career away, now they see a way to put me in prison. When Kai said she wanted to talk to you, I told her to leave it alone. I suspected she wouldn’t listen, so I’m here in person to warn you to stay away from the case, Mr. McKenna. If you don’t, it could ruin your life.”
Chance, who had been listening, nodded. “I remember you. It was huge news on the mainland. Corruption in the Army hospitals leading to shoddy care. The big stir was caused by a soldier’s suicide.”
Juliana stiffened. It was as though she feared she’d said too much to the wrong person. She gripped Kai’s shoulders; her voice was stern. “You go home with your parents. I love you dearly, but I will not destroy your life to save mine.” She pulled Kai into a tight hug, then pushed the girl into my arms. “Do not let her follow me. It’s for the best.” She turned and ran deeper into the marina. Over her shoulder, she called, “Kai, forget about me.”
A moment later, I peered toward the front of the marina. Three voices amidst the clanking of metal on metal. If one was Kira’s, the others must be Kai’s parents. Two new figures rushed down the ramp to join us on the dock—a large man and a much smaller woman. They both embraced Kai, who struggled against their fawning. She screamed, “I have to help Juliana!”
But, Juliana was gone. She’d disappeared somewhere into the maze of ramps and gangways. By now, she was hiding out there in a hodgepodge of yachts, sailboats, and skiffs.
Kai’s mother knelt and looked straight into her daughter’s eyes. “You scared me to death. I will not let you go after her. If the police swear out a warrant for her arrest, she’ll be a fugitive. Let them handle this.”
Her father echoed the mother’s concern, then introduced himself. “Tom Palakiko. This is Kai’s mom, June. Look, we don’t want to appear insensitive, but whatever Juliana’s done, Kai can’t be a part of it. She’s a child and doesn’t know how the judicial system works. If Juliana didn’t kill Trinity Kraft, a jury will find her innocent at trial. That’s all we can do.”
From the boat, I heard Alexander call out. “Tom, howzit, brah?”
The two men exchanged a bear hug when Alexander joined us on the dock. Alexander held out one arm and June joined them. They engaged in a three-way hug fest with poor little Kai sandwiched in the middle.
“I have to go after Juliana!” Kai wailed. She tried squeezing between the adults, but her mother’s firm embrace stopped her.
“She’s gone. She ran away.” June pressed the girl to her chest, then looked at me.
“Your mom’s right,” I said.
Kai’s shoulders slumped and she began to sob. A mournful chorus of boats tugging against their moorings reinforced Kai
’s anguish. I bent down on one knee and pulled her close. I whispered in her ear. “Don’t worry, Chance followed her.”
The girl pulled away, her eyes wide, a smile on her lips. She wiped at her cheek and smiled.
“What did you say to her?” June asked.
I might not be on trial, but June’s tone made her question sound more like an accusation. Time to invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment. Better yet, why not just lie? “I told her I’d put Great Grampa Kimu on the case.”
Mom and Dad shook their heads as though a crazy man had spoken. Alexander nodded knowingly, and Benni moved closer.
“Works for me,” said Tom. The family left us standing on the dock next to the Hawaiian Delight.
When they were gone, Alexander asked, “How you gonna have Great Grampa Kimu help when you don’t got a client?”
“Who said I don’t have a client?” I asked. “I’ve received a retainer. No way I’m letting that kid down.”
“McKenna, if this is all on the level, you up against the government. You got a lotta muscle on the other side.”
For crying out loud, now he wanted to be the voice of reason? “Are you saying I shouldn’t help her?”
“No way, brah. You just got rotten odds.”
“I know, but when have I ever let bad odds stop me? What's bugging me is Chance taking off on his own. I wish I knew where he was.”
“He’s on Kalākaua heading East.” Lexie looked up from the phone she'd been staring at for almost a minute.
“How do you know where he is?” I asked.
She held the screen so I could see it. It had a map with a little pulsing dot along one of the straight lines representing a street.
“What did you do, plant a tracker on him?” I asked.
“Nope,” Lexie said. “It’s a couple’s app Chance found.” Her eyes lit up as she giggled. “It's so cool.”
A couple’s app? What else would it do for them? Another thing I didn’t want to know. At least we had a way to track Chance. Now I had to find a way to keep my promise to a ten-year-old girl. If only there was an app for that.
North Shore Nanny Page 2