For the first time today, she actually smiled at me. “No, you don’t have to. I get it.”
“If you want to end this after we’ve solved Mandy’s murder, I won’t stand in your way. But, I can honestly tell you from personal experience, running away is the worst choice.”
“All right. I’ll stay because deep down there’s a little girl inside me who wants to believe in the legends. But, there are no more secrets. You got that, McKenna?”
I agreed, just happy she hadn’t left already.
Chance glanced over his shoulder at the security offices. “McKenna, you’re the man in charge. What do you want to do now? Just remember, my dad won’t appreciate having to make another phone call. Oh, and by the way, Seagrave just took Alvarez out the back.”
I turned to look behind me. The door was closed, the lights off in the office. “We shouldn’t need Alvarez. Besides, I think Seagrave was right. Alvarez won’t talk, but we’ve got a clue as to where to start.”
Chance peered at me, his eyebrows raised, his impatience obvious. “What? We’re looking for a nonexistent security company?”
“Seagrave said he couldn’t tell us who Alvarez works for, but he told us about the plane. That means he’s got to have some suspicions about who we’re searching for. If he was totally clueless, he wouldn’t have shown us that business card. He might not want to name names, but he didn’t leave us in the dark, either. He deliberately put us on this trail.”
“The floor’s yours,” Chance said.
“Think about the information we have. Alvarez works for some mainland security company. They brought in a high-powered attorney to get him out of here. What I don’t understand is why these guys are going to so much trouble. It can’t only be because we started asking questions about one girl’s murder.”
“Kinda like tip-of-the-iceberg type stuff,” Benni said.
Chance nodded, a smile growing on his face. “Remember how Ryan told us about a big meeting in Lāhainā when we checked in? He said the governor met with some locals and a special interest group.”
In unison, Chance and I looked at each other and blurted out, “Hisao!”
“No way,” Benni said. “You asked him point blank. Why would he lie?”
I bit my tongue, not seeing the need to remind Benni about Hisao’s other lies. Especially the big one—murdering Mandy Kenoi.
37
Lexie was nodding enthusiastically. ”Maybe the special interest group was run by Alvarez’s boss. My dad deals with lobbyists whenever there’s some new big development in Honolulu. He’s seen some good ones and some really bad ones.”
We all turned to Lexie. Even though her experience was secondhand, I hoped she had a decent knowledge of how these types of organizations were run. “So are you saying Hisao lied to us twice, and he really was in the Lāhainā meeting?”
”I don’t know. It all depends on who’s in charge.” She grimaced as she brushed back a lock of dark hair. “I know, not much help.”
“But you think we’re looking for whoever is behind this mysterious group.” Benni sighed, and her voice hardened with skepticism. “How are we going to find that out? There are so many layers of insulation in those things. It’s like dealing with an octopus.”
Lexie scrunched up her face. “More like Medusa.”
Benni looked straight at the fish. “What do you think?” She nodded at the little green monster. “I agree. McKenna, this is all just plain crazy.”
I held her gaze, but she didn’t smile, and the moment faded. I couldn’t tell if her declaration of me being insane meant she’d had enough or what. I pushed down my fear to ask the critical question. “Does this mean you’re leaving?”
“I told you I’d stay to help my ‘ohana. I’m not changing my flight…not yet, anyway. And for the record, I didn’t say you were crazy; I said this whole situation was.”
“Well, I certainly agree with that. Let’s find someplace to sit.”
As we walked toward the main rotunda, I wondered if maybe Benni was correct. Why was I betting my future on a stuffed toy from an airport gift shop and a whacked-out dream? How much crazier could I get? I wished I had answers.
I marveled at the changes in Maui’s airport. I’d seen pictures from the 70s. Back before the first mainland hotels opened in Honolulu, Hawaii’s business environment had been one of mom-and-pop shops. Now it was filled with international conglomerates and high finance. With the big money had come construction work. After nearly half a century of growth, the islands were addicted to new development. How long would—could—the cycle continue?
We stopped at the Starbucks in the rotunda, where Lexie secured the only vacant table while the rest of us trudged through a long line of caffeine-deficient travelers. Chance was kind enough to pick up the bill. Given my return to a bleak financial future, I was thankful and figured the least I could do was serve as the coffee runner while Benni and Chance joined Lexie.
Three expectant faces gazed at me as I approached with my order, the final one. “You all think I’m nuts, don’t you?”
Benni’s hand came to rest on mine. “This isn’t easy, McKenna. You’ve been acting very strange today.”
Oh my God, she was actually touching me. It was as though every nerve ending in my hand was on fire. I glanced down and she seemed to realize what she’d done. It came as no surprise when she pulled back.
“Well, I can’t blame you,” I said. “It’s Kimu. He’s back. Messing with my head again. I have to stop fighting this…thing. I’m petrified…sharing the dream, that is. But it’s time. I should have told you right away.”
“Guided by Great Grampa Kimu.” Chance winked at me. “How cool is that?”
Benni’s eyes cut in my direction, then slid over to Chance. ”Kimu always tried to help the underdog. I never realized what a curse that could be until today.”
I started to remind her it wasn’t my choice, but what good would that do? Benni knew the story and it was up to me to live with the consequences. Might as well just go for the facts. “Two nights ago, I dreamt you were on the beach.” I pointed at Benni. “You were with Mandy and Penny. The three of you were being chased.”
“Let me guess, by whatsisname? Myers or Alvarez. Whatever he’s calling himself.” Benni sipped her tea and watched me over the rim of her paper cup.
“No,” I said. “A remote-controlled crop-dusting biplane. Red, to be exact. It had the number 6 on the tail.”
Lexie did a double take. The others watched me with wide eyes. I took a deep breath. Why not? They already thought I was off my rocker. Why not prove it? I dove in. Told the whole stupid dream, beginning to end, and when I’d finished, Benni held the fish in front of her face.
She turned it sideways. “The dead fish, he looked like this?”
I nodded.
“McKenna, it’s a Peacock Grouper. A reef fish. He’s not native to Hawai‘i…you didn’t know that?”
I shook my head. “Can’t say as I’ve ever seen one before this trip.”
Benni let out a slow breath. “This is a lot to take in, McKenna.”
“Wow. We’re talking, like, really bizarre.” Lexie stood, came around the table and hugged me. “I get it. You’re entitled to be freaked out.”
“In the dream they were all dead?” Benni peered at me. “You’re sure?”
“The water was thick with them. They were floating...everywhere.” I shuddered at the memory. “Just beneath the surface.”
“And you used one to fight off Frank Alvarez?” Benni rolled her eyes. “Do you realize how unlikely that is? It’s somewhere between not happening and impossible.”
“Not if it’s dream symbolism,” Lexie said.
“Geez, more woo woo. Whenever this starts, either Kimu or my subconscious are trying to tell me something. They all stared at me like the last of my marbles had fal
len on the floor and rolled away.
A couple at the next table, just past Benni’s shoulder, cast sideways glances at me. Great. Crazy guy on the loose. For sure.
“Let’s assume for a minute you’re right about Mandy’s death being connected to a conspiracy. Where does that get us?” Chance asked.
Lexie licked her lips. She looked lost in thought. “Maybe further than you know, babe. McKenna, you mentioned the tail number of the plane.”
“What do you got, Lex?” Chance asked.
“I’m just speculating, but the Big Six have been controlling Hawaii’s agriculture since, like, forever. What if Mandy’s murder has something to do with bringing that to an end?”
“Isn’t that kind of a leap of faith?” Benni shook her head. “I don’t see why they’d be concerned about any of this. Everybody already knows they’ve polluted the water with atrazine. The scientific evidence is turning public opinion against them.”
“Benni, you’re not considering the politicians who ignore the proof,” Lexie said.
“Come on, Lexie, political hacks don’t go around killing off their constituents just because they’re on opposite sides of an issue. They have other ways of dealing with problems. This has to be bigger. By a lot.” Benni glanced at me. “McKenna, are you okay? You look like you’re going to cry.”
“You guys believe me? You don’t think I’m loony tunes?” I steeled myself for a sudden barb, convinced this couldn’t be happening.
Benni rubbed the back of her neck, then looked to Lexie.
“I believe you,” Lexie said.
Chance draped an arm over Lexie’s shoulder and gave me a thumbs up with his free hand.
“Yes,” Benni said. “We’re with you…now that we know...everything.
Lexie pulled away from Chance and hugged Benni. She turned to me. “Look, my dad’s been in politics for a long time. He’s seen a lot of back-room deals. He would never talk about them, except once when I was really little. He must have believed I wouldn’t remember or understand, but the story stayed with me. It was the first time I’d ever seen my dad worried.”
Chance eyed Lexie, his raised eyebrows begging for more, but he didn’t ask the question I expected. Well, he might not want to pry, but I was willing—especially if Lexie could offer insight on the dirty politics angle. I leaned forward on both elbows and stared straight at her. “You’ve got my attention.”
Lexie bit her lower lip and thought for a few seconds. “I can’t give out details because it would ruin people.”
“Including your dad?” I asked.
“He knew about it and didn’t report it. So, probably. But, what I learned is everybody makes deals. All these guys have an agenda, so if this Mr. Big was making a deal with the mayor or someone higher up, it could be worth hiding.”
I folded my hands, trying not to appear impatient. “Sorry, but there’s nothing momentous there.”
“No,” she said. “But, think about all the signs. The six on the plane. Dead fish. The meeting Ryan told us about. It all points toward Maui’s water.”
Of course, so obvious, yet so…Kimu. “Lexie, you’re a genius. I’m hiring you to be my official dream interpreter.” I reached out and gave her hands a squeeze. “Ryan will have all the details. He’s tapped into the local scene.”
While I dialed the number for the Ilikahi, Chance and Lexie put their heads together and began working the displays on their phones. Ryan answered on the third ring. Before he could finish his greeting, I blurted, “Ryan, this is McKenna. What’s the name of the guy who met with the governor?”
“Uh…McKenna…sure. They tried to keep it a secret, but the Coconut Wireless says the big guns were Congressman Alcott and Robson Poussin of Finance International. You don’t want to mess with these guys. Rumor has it Poussin plays dirty—and always gets what he wants.”
38
“Sorry, Ryan, I must have heard you incorrectly. You said Alcott?”
“The family owns a lot of land on Maui.”
Alcott and Poussin knew each other? What kind of spiderweb had Hisao gotten caught in? “Have you booked our rooms yet?”
“Nooo…Chance told me to hold them.”
I glanced across the table at Chance, who was pointing at something on his phone. Now, Benni had joined in the free-for-all and was working her cell, too. I finished my call with Ryan and regarded Chance. “You got him to hold the rooms?”
He flushed a few shades of red, then gave me a sheepish smile. “Well, I hoped you’d come around. I couldn’t believe my mentor would surrender.”
“Thanks for having confidence in me. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you when I should have. It’s just all so…”
“Weird?” he asked.
“Even stranger.” The pressure built behind my eyes and the room blurred. They hadn’t given up on me, even when I had. I pushed my chair back and went to stand next to him. “Give me a hug, buddy.”
He rose, and we exchanged a man-hug. When I turned away from Chance, Benni stood before me.
She grasped my hands with hers and gazed at me with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. You wouldn’t abandon us. How could I not believe in you? Can you forgive me?”
“Can I…” I gulped down my shock. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is all on me. It was a mistake to hide—the truth. You knew about Kimu. What’s happened in the past. It was stupid of me to not trust you.”
She shook her head and squeezed my hands. “Not stupid.” She winked. “But, maybe kinda chicken.”
“Cluck, cluck.” I pulled her toward me and started to kiss her, right there under the massive domed ceiling of the rotunda. But, she stopped me with a press of her fingers against my lips.
She had tears in her eyes as she whispered, “I’m still not sure.”
“Sorry,” I muttered.
Benni returned to her seat, a look of confusion on her face. I vowed to win her back somehow. No matter what it took. When we were all seated, I asked what each of them had been working on while I was talking to Ryan.
Chance gestured at Lexie. “You’re the one who picked up on it first.”
She barely missed a beat and started right in. “Our dinner conversations at home can get pretty intense. Since my dad’s on the City Council, we sometimes get kind of carried away when it comes to politics.” Lexie stopped and giggled. “Once in a while, we even agree.”
I laughed politely, then said, “Your point?”
“Congressman Colin Alcott. His family’s sugar business has been around for generations, so he’s always been opposed to restrictions. They cite their need for weed control and fall back to the reports showing atrazine dissipates in the soil and is harmless. The best part is there were rumors his major campaign support came from a worldwide conglomerate—Finance International.”
“That’s right. There was a big story about this on the news when it happened. Accusations flew back and forth. Yah?” The momentum...it was shifting in our direction. Almost as though we suddenly had the advantage and the ability to dig as deeply as we needed.
Chance shook his head. “Don’t get too carried away, McKenna. The rumors were never substantiated. But we kept asking how all those claims gained any traction. We figured there had to be some kind of connection between Frank Alvarez, Colin Alcott, Robson Poussin, and our victim, Mandy Kenoi.” He turned to Benni.
“I background checked all four of them, starting with Mandy, and it turns out she never existed until a few months ago. That’s consistent with what Penny told us. So, I checked Teddie Lawler. Everything kind of stops on her at the same time Mandy appeared—and she lived in San Bernardino. I’m sure they’re the same person because Teddie Lawler worked at Finance International up until she disappeared.”
Chance squirmed in his chair like an anxious four-year-old. “This is just too cool.”
Benni glanced sideways at him and said, “Go ahead, I can see you’re dying to tell the story.”
“Frank Alvarez has to be at the center of this,” Chance said. “Remember the card Seagrave let me copy? It was for a company called Total Security. Benni confirmed Frank Alvarez worked for them. It’s no surprise they have a website which claims they are specialists in commercial and industrial espionage. I suspect it’s all fluff, nothing but a big show to impress people. No client names are listed and all the links dead end.”
“But if they’re a real company why did Seagrave say they didn’t exist?”
Chance slumped forward, his balloon slightly deflated. “Wish I knew. Benni was working on that angle, too.”
“I was, and that part still doesn’t make sense. Seagrave would have to tell us that himself. It certainly looks legit. The business domain name is owned by Roger Lewis of Walnut Creek, CA. I ran a check on him, too. He’s almost totally clean, with one exception. Roger Lewis was a security analyst for Finance International until about five years ago.”
“He worked for Poussin?”
Benni milked the moment, forcing me to wait until she had me hooked, then she flashed a smile at Chance. “I’ll let you handle this.”
Chance’s eyes lit up. He was once again the kid with answers. “He left FI and started his own security consulting business. The long answer is a lot more interesting.”
“Will you stop messing with me?” I snapped.
Chance winked at me. “Maybe. Anyway, the Total Security website also says they specialize in dealing with multinational companies, I texted my dad to see if he’d heard of them. He had. Apparently, this Roger Lewis approached him and pitched the idea of an autonomous intelligence gathering service. As my dad put it, he wasn’t about to hire a team of industrial spies he didn’t know and told Lewis to take a flying leap.”
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