Black Sands

by Colleen Coble

  She nodded.

  He stepped off the path again and headed toward a group of rocks that had been belched from the volcano at some point in the past. The formation reminded him of a pile of cannonballs left over from the Civil War, round and black as though they were waiting to be loaded into the big gun.

  The ground was a little smoother here. He’d always been fascinated by volcanoes. It was one reason he’d spent so much time at the Tagama house. The talk around the dinner table between Annie and her father was always interesting. There was a curious chemistry among them all—Annie’s mother, Adele, was so quiet and attuned to all their needs, while her three grown kids and her husband filled the house with noise and excitement. At least two of the kids were noisy. Annie was a carbon copy of her mother, directing everything with a firm yet quiet hand. Adele treated Mano like one of her own, and because his own mother abandoned him when he was a kid, Mano reveled in her attention.

  Now, with only Edega and Annie at the house, everything was different. Mano didn’t think he could remember a time when the house wasn’t full with good-natured teasing and laughter. What had Tomi been thinking to risk ruining his family this way? When Mano found him, he’d demand some answers.

  He rounded the rock formation and stopped. His heart slammed against his ribs. “Annie, come here,” he called. Maybe she could explain this, though he didn’t see how. She joined him immediately, and he heard her gasp. She reached out and grabbed his forearm. He winced as her nails dug into his skin, but he didn’t pull away.

  “A heiau,” she breathed. “What is it doing here?”

  In the old days, Hawaiians built massive temples, or heiau, to worship their gods. Many of the ancient temples ranged from the size of a basketball court to bigger than a football field. This one was much smaller than average. Only about eight feet square, the customary stone base was crudely composed of lava rock. But all the basics were there, including a wooden structure atop the stone base.

  Mano stepped up to the heiau and entered it. A stone altar had been erected under the roof of ti leaves. An idol of lava stone, wood, and feathers sat at the head of the altar. The idol’s gaping mouth was lined with some animal’s teeth.

  A drone of flies caught his ear, and he looked down to see the insects buzzing around a sticky mess at the base of the altar. Annie put her hands over her eyes and moaned. She backed away. Mano wanted to turn tail and run. The air thickened with sinister intent. He forced himself to examine the blood. A hiss of relief escaped his lips when he realized the mess held traces of animal fur.

  He needed air. Turning, he bolted after Annie. She was trembling. “It’s not Leilani,” he assured her. “It’s an animal.”

  “Who would build a heiau out here?” she whispered. “Could you tell what god that was?”

  He shook his head. “I’d guess it’s Pele, but it’s hard to say.”

  “What about Ku?”

  He stared at her. “You think Leilani could have been part of this?”

  “I hope not, but with her necklace here . . .”

  “I’d better call Sam. Maybe he can figure it out.” He dialed his cell phone and told Sam what he’d found. Annie was staring at the temple. She blinked rapidly, and a shimmer of moisture clung to her lashes. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but he curled his fingers into his palms instead. She wouldn’t welcome such a forward gesture.

  Annie moved toward the heiau again. Her hand shook as she extended it and pointed toward a wisp of fabric that decorated the idol. “That’s from Leilani’s favorite top.”

  We’ll see what we can find out,” Sam said. He slipped his notebook back into his pocket. “I might check out Aloha Shores.”

  The Aloha Shores area was home to a different sort of residents. With no running water and no electricity, the people who called the subdivision home still lived the hippie life. It was rumored that the greatest contingent of witness protection–plan people lived there.

  “What makes you think they could have anything to do with this?” Mano asked.

  Sam shrugged. “A few groups there engage in some pretty wacky things. This qualifies, don’t you think? Last I heard, one group was meeting to build a heiau to Ku. Maybe that’s what this is.” He swept his hand toward the remains on the altar.

  Mano shook his head. “But why here if they’re worshiping Ku? Pele is the volcano goddess.” He had never been to Aloha Shores, but he might poke around out there himself.

  “Who knows what people like that think? Tomorrow is Saturday, so maybe I can find some residents at home.”

  “Mind if I tag along?” Mano asked.

  “This is my turf. I’ll handle it.” Sam’s gaze held a trace of hostility. He followed Mano and Annie toward the SUV.

  Sam had always been territorial, but Mano wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “I’ll stay out of your way.”

  “Please, Sam?” Annie put her hand on the detective’s arm. “Let us come.”

  Sam’s face softened. “Okay, if it means that much to you, Annie.” He glanced toward Mano. “Let’s see if Leilani comes home tonight. If not, we’ll head out tomorrow morning.”

  Annie had little to say as they returned to the Tagama house. Mano didn’t know how to comfort her. He’d never been good with words. She drove methodically, her gaze never leaving the road. She still hadn’t regained her color.

  She parked behind his rental car. “Still think Leilani is with Tomi?” she asked.

  “That’s hardly a unique top,” he said.

  “True.” She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “I’m just not going to worry about it until we hear from Tomi. Maybe you’re right.”

  “You didn’t say anything to Sam about the call from Tomi or the money?”

  “No, and you’re not to say anything either,” she ordered. “Once we hear from Tomi, I’ll figure out how to handle this.”

  He grinned. “Whatever you say, boss. Though Sam might have an idea of where to look for your brother.”

  She nodded and looked out the window. He got out and went to his car. He needed to talk this through with someone. Good thing his sister was on the island. He drove along the road to Jillian’s house, where Kaia was staying. The topography changed from bare lava fields to rain forest, then to tropical greenery. He followed the coast for five miles.

  He turned into the driveway and honked to alert Jillian. Since she’d been separated from her husband, Jillian had been easily spooked out here, Kaia said. No one answered the door, so he wandered down to the water and found the two women sitting on a lava rock outcropping. This inlet had little sand, though the snorkeling was good.

  Kaia waved to Heidi, Jillian’s eight-year-old daughter, who was romping in the water with Nani, the wild dolphin who had begun “talking” to Kaia. “Don’t go too far out,” she called. She turned, and her gaze met Mano’s. “You’re later than I expected.”

  “Yeah.” His sister’s gaze scrutinized his face. He stared at her, willing her to realize he needed to talk to her alone.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  So much for women’s intuition. “Later,” he muttered.

  “Watch me, Kaia!” Heidi grabbed Nani’s dorsal fin and let the dolphin pull her through the water.

  Kaia’s face registered awareness that something was wrong. Before Mano could decide how to get her alone without arousing Jillian’s curiosity, a figure shadowed them. Mano looked up to see a stocky man with a neatly trimmed beard. He was staring at Jillian as though he’d like to gobble her up. The man had a neck as thick as a sumo wrestler and broad shoulders to match. His dark auburn hair was shaggy and fell over his broad forehead. He blinked, and his sea green eyes met Mano’s gaze.

  Jillian turned. Her gaze traveled up to rest on the man’s face. She gasped. “Noah?”

  Noah Sommers? Mano had heard all about how the man had deserted his wife and child and published Jillian’s research under his own name. Mano’s hackles rose.

  Noah jammed his hands
into his pocket. His smile seemed anxious. “Hi, Jillian,” he said.

  The color left Jillian’s face. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Scrambling to her feet, Jillian brushed the sand from her legs, then grabbed her coverup. “Noah. To say I’m surprised to see you would be an understatement.”

  Mano exchanged a glance with Kaia. He gave a slight shake of his head at the protectiveness he saw in her face. This wasn’t her battle to fight.

  Noah nodded. “I can imagine.”

  Jillian’s jaw clenched. “Can you? I was devastated when you disappeared and the article with my research came out with your name attached to it. And you changed it too, published lies. Betrayed doesn’t begin to describe how your treachery affected me.”

  His face contorted, and he dropped his gaze to the ground. “I want to see Heidi.”

  “I assumed as much. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? It certainly wouldn’t be to apologize.” Jillian jerked her coverup closed.

  “I understand why you haven’t taken my calls, but we have to talk, Jillian. We have our daughter to consider.”

  “Oh yeah, you considered her when you stole my research and took off, didn’t you?” she shot back. “Don’t try to put this on me.”

  Her nose was red, and Mano could tell she was struggling not to cry. Mano wished they were anywhere but here. This was too private to witness. He took Kaia’s hand and started to leave, but Jillian held out her hand.

  “Please don’t go,” she said. “Noah isn’t staying.”

  Noah began to scowl. “You can’t hide your head in the sand this time, Jillian.” He nodded toward Heidi and Nani. “What’s with the dolphin?”

  “That’s none of your business. Except you might be interested to know Nani saved Heidi’s life while you were off gallivanting around.”

  “What are you talking about?” For the first time Noah seemed to be showing real emotion.

  “Your daughter was kidnapped by some maniac who planned to use her to get to Jesse. But my brother saved her. Kaia and the dolphin too. You should have been here, Noah. She’s asked and asked for you.”

  “I’m here now,” he said. “But I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone I’m on the island. Not yet.”

  Mano exchanged another glance with Kaia. What was that all about? And Noah kept glancing around as if he was worried someone might see them.

  Jillian put her fists on her hips. “Are you running from something? I don’t want Heidi in danger. She’s been through too much already.”

  His blue green eyes swept her figure. “You look good, Jillian. I’ve missed you.”

  Mano saw the way Jillian’s body language changed. The rigidity left her shoulders. She must still love the creep.

  She stiffened again and stepped back. “Heidi, come here,” she called.

  Heidi’s blond head turned to look. Her jaw dropped. “Dad? Dad!” She stood in the waves and began to slosh through the water toward them. Her pink bathing suit had a dolphin on the stomach. Behind her, Nani leaped out of the water and did a flip. Heidi reached the sand and ran to her father. He knelt and she catapulted into his arms. He didn’t seem to mind being soaked with seawater. He stood with her in his arms, and she wrapped her legs around him and held on.

  Watching them, Mano wondered how a man who seemed to love his daughter so much could do what Noah had done.

  Four

  Annie turned off the rice cooker. The serene kitchen decorated in shades of taupe, soothed her. Here, she was most at home, most in control. Cherry-blossom rice-paper blinds over the window above the sink added a splash of color. “Dinner, Father,” she called. Miso soup bubbled on the stove, and the aroma of teri stir-fry filled the kitchen. She lifted Japanese puff rolls, called shu cream puffs, from the oven and prepared to fill them with custard.

  The aroma whetted her appetite—as long as she kept her mind from straying to the sacrifice she’d seen. The phone rang, and looking at the caller ID, she saw it was her friend Fawn. “I should have called you,” she said when she answered. “I’m sorry.”

  “Was Leilani at home?” Fawn sounded worried.

  “No.” She told Fawn about the heiau she and Mano found, and the remains of Leilani’s shirt.

  “Did you call the police?”

  “Yes, but Sam doesn’t seem too worried. He thinks Leilani has gone off on a lark with a new boyfriend.”

  “I guess that’s possible.”

  “Yes, knowing Leilani, I guess it is.” Annie hesitated. Mano had said not to tell anyone about Tomi, but this was Fawn. She was as closemouthed as it was possible to be. Annie opened her mouth to tell her friend, then closed it again. No, Mano had asked her to stay quiet. She would honor her promise.

  They chatted a few more minutes. Fawn hung up after promising to pray for them all. Edega had still not appeared for dinner, so Black Sands Annie called him again. While she waited, she glanced through the mail. Her hand hovered over an envelope from the mortgage company. Not another one. She didn’t want to open it but knew she had to. Tearing the back flap, she pulled out the sheet of paper inside and scanned it. If they didn’t get the back payments caught up in one week, the bank would begin foreclosure.

  Foreclosure. Her appetite left her. There was no way they could catch up. Where would they go? Her father wandered into the kitchen, and she stuffed the letter into the pocket of her jeans. She’d figure out something. She’d tried to talk to her father about it several times over the past couple of months, but he always brushed her off. She was on her own with this one.

  Her father stared at the scientific calculator in his hand but hardly seemed to see it. “I think our research will bring in a flood of publicity,” he announced. “We should be invited to every volcano study in the world with what we know now.”

  Annie tried not to smile. His research would hardly change the world, but since her mother died, he had become preoccupied with this study exhausted by other scientists years ago. “I need to talk to you,” she said, putting the food on the table. Wilson stood nearby on hind legs, making small leaps into the air like a circus animal. Annie laughed and dropped some food on the floor. Wilson pounced on it.

  Her father’s lips tightened. “One day you will come home and discover I have gotten rid of that animal myself.” Her father sat at the table and made a note on a scratch pad. “Is there anything to drink?”

  “I made jasmine tea.” She grabbed the teapot and poured him a cup. He was still jotting down notes when she brought the steaming mug back to the table. Often she was as invisible to her father as the tide that rolled the waves to shore. As long as the house ran smoothly, her father and Leilani looked past her. Let one thing happen, and they would howl for her to fix it. Maybe Fawn was right: she mothered them all too much, trying to make up for their loss.

  But the thought of stepping back, of not being needed, made her stomach clench. If she’d watched over her sister better, Leilani might not be missing now. “I need to talk to you,” she told her father again. She perched on a rattan stool at the granite counter and locked her heels on the lowest rung.

  He finally looked up from his notes. “I heard the phone ring. Did Leilani call?”

  Her mother had always said Edega Tagama had the peculiar ability to ignore anything he didn’t want to think about, though Annie never noticed while her mother was alive. She wanted to shake him, to tell him that his family was unraveling right under his nose. Staring at him, however, her anger melted away. He’d become almost childlike—he needed her so badly.

  She picked up Tomi’s bankbook and held it out to her father. “Mano gave me this,” she said.

  The vertical lines between his eyes deepened. He took it and opened it. His eyes widened, and she heard his soft exhalation. “This has Tomi’s name on it. Where did Mano get it?”

  “He found it in Tomi’s things.” She told him about the phone call from Tomi, and his frown changed to an astonished smile.

  He jumped to his feet. “You’re saying you
r brother is alive?”

  “And Mano thinks Leilani might be with him.” Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. Neither she nor Mano was convinced of the possibility now that they’d found the altar.

  “My son is alive.” His eyes began to glisten.

  “We don’t know for sure yet.”

  Her father watched her like a keiki seeking a parent’s reassurance, so she gave him a confident smile. “Tomi is supposed to get in touch with me. I’m sure he’ll answer all our questions then. Until then, I’m assuming Leilani is with him and is fine. Either that or she’s with friends.”

  “Good. I want to show him how the last piece of my research has fallen together. It should be ready for publication in a few more weeks. My son is alive,” he said again in a tone of marvel.

  If he could find someone to publish it. Annie wanted to encourage him, but he didn’t seem to realize his research wasn’t fresh. Her gaze dropped to the bankbook on the table. What if that money really existed? Could they use some to get caught up on the mortgage? She scooped up the bankbook and stuffed it into her pocket with the bank’s letter. She sat beside her father at the table, but all she could do was pick at her food. She put her plate down for Wilson. He crouched like he was about to pounce on a chicken, and then growled ferociously as he began to tear at the meat. When her father finished, she cleaned the kitchen, then decided she had to do something.

  She found her father engrossed in a TV comedy. He had his feet on the Maru table in front of the sofa. Mother would have had a fit, but Annie didn’t have the heart to scold him. “I’m going to go see Jillian,” she told him.

  He grunted and she went out to her SUV. She carried Wilson with her. The mongoose snuggled against her, then looked up as though they were having the most pleasurable evening. Annie laughed and scratched his head. She’d leave him home, but Heidi loved the mongoose. Of course the keiki loved anything that flew, swam, or crawled. Annie ran her window down and let the fragrant scent of plumeria waft over her. The natural aromatherapy eased the knots in her shoulders.