“Give him time and you will.”
“Good night.” Lani fled to her room with her face afire. Oh, to hear those words from Ben.
Two days they’d been here so far, and still no new leads on Yoshi’s case. But Ben insisted they stay put until the killer was behind bars. They were running out of things to do, so Lani decided to go to bed early. The mattress’s hardness and the sounds of an unfamiliar house kept her from resting. Ben hadn’t approached her since Thursday night.
She could hear the clock on the bedside table. CeCe’s party was tonight. CeCe had probably called Rina’s house to arrange what time to pick Lani up and found her gone, but her friend would come get her in a minute if she called.
Footsteps crunched in the grass outside her open window, and she half rose in the bed. Tensing, she listened again, but the sound of Yoshi’s and Mano’s low voices reached her ears, and she realized there was nothing to fear. With her arm over her eyes, she lay back and tried to relax. Annie slept peacefully in the bed beside her, and Lani wished she could follow her sister’s example. Fawn was on the other side of Annie in the huge king bed.
Lani eased her feet from under the sheet and sat up. All she had to do was take her clothes with her to the bathroom, call CeCe, and forget all about these problems for a little while. The bed springs squealed when she stood. She felt for the shorts and top she’d removed when she got ready for bed. There they were. She gathered them up and patted her leg for Fisher to come with her.
Annie stirred. “Lani, you okay?”
Busted. Lani grimaced. “Go back to sleep.”
The bed rustled. “Why do you have your clothes?”
“I was thinking about going to CeCe’s party tonight. I’m restless.”
“Oh.”
“Do you think I shouldn’t go?”
Annie sighed. “What do you think? What does God say about it? You don’t have to please me.”
Lani examined the feelings she’d been having every time she thought of her old life. “I miss the fun I used to have. Now it attracts me and repels me at the same time.”
“Do you know why?”
“I guess because I know that old life of guys and alcohol and no thought in my head beyond the next party is wrong for me. God expects more of my life than a never-ending party. I wish it didn’t draw me.”
“It doesn’t have to, Lani. You’re free to resist sin now. Before you were a Christian, you didn’t have the power to break free of that life. Now you do. You’ve done it. Sin is always attractive, but we can see beyond the surface now.”
Lani felt for the edge of the bed, found it, and eased down. Her restlessness faded. “You’re right. I’m not going to go tonight.” Strength flowed into her as she said the words. She could be free of the old life. She just had to take the freedom God had given her and remember she had it. For some reason, that knowledge kept slipping away.
She took Annie’s hand. “Go back to sleep, Obi-Wan.”
Annie laughed. “I’m glad I could help.”
Fluffing her pillow, Lani climbed back into bed and turned her back to her sister. Her new life was so much better. Her fingers crept to her lips. No! She wouldn’t think about Ben’s kiss. She didn’t want to read more into it than she should. Tyrone said Ben loved her, but Ben needed to speak for himself.
Lani touched her lips again. Was Annie still awake? “How do you know when you’re in love?” she whispered.
Her sister’s breathing evened out, and a slight snore came from that side of the bed. Lani should have asked sooner. She thumped her pillow again. Sleep still hovered far away. Maybe some warm milk would help. She slipped out of bed. Fisher didn’t have his harness on, but he bumped her hand with his nose. “I think I can do this alone, boy,” she whispered. Feeling for the wall, she moved toward the door. The tile felt cool on her bare feet. The air grew warmer in the hallway, and she trailed her fingers on the painted surface of the wall and inched forward.
The wall made a ninety-degree turn toward the kitchen. Fisher kept pace with her, his thick fur brushing her bare calf. She negotiated the turn and stepped into the kitchen. Her hand moved along the top of the stove to the countertop, then continued around the room until she found the refrigerator. When she opened the refrigerator door, the cool air rushed into her face. She wasn’t as helpless as everyone thought.
Groping the top shelf, she found small, round glass containers that could have been jelly or maybe pickles. But no milk carton. That was a wasted trip through the house. Sighing, she shut the door and cut off the rush of cold air. She began to retrace her steps back to the bedroom when she heard voices outside the open window.
She was moving on past when she heard her name mentioned. Yoshi and Ben were talking about her.
“I guess your job is done anytime you want to leave,” Yoshi said. “Lani seems to be doing okay with the dog. I appreciate you trying to figure out what she knows, but I think you’re right. I thought for sure she was protecting Aunt Rina, but Lani’s clueless.”
“I’m not leaving while some madman is still running around. You need me to help protect her,” Ben said.
Lani began to frown. It sounded as if Yoshi had contacted Ben before he came. Were they friends? She thought back to the first time she talked to Yoshi after Ben came. It was when that man had attacked Ben, and she’d rushed for help. Yoshi had known his name. She clenched her fists.
Yoshi spoke again. “You’ve got your hands full with Meg. Now that Mano is here, we can handle Lani if you want to pick up your own life. I know you have to finish that thesis. Watching Lani learn to cope with her blindness should give you plenty of material.”
Lani stifled a gasp and put her hand over her mouth. He was using her for a thesis? Anger flared and began to simmer.
“I’ve never seen you so quick to get rid of me. I’ll hang around,” Ben said.
It had all been a setup. Lani brushed her fingers across her wet lashes. He wasn’t worth her tears. Yoshi and Ben had lied to her. Maybe not in words, but in actions. They’d layered Ben’s appearance with concern for her blindness, when all along they just wanted to find out what she knew. And Ben wanted to use her tragedy. The betrayal shouldn’t have hurt so much. Ben was nothing to her. Nothing.
She knew she should go on back to bed, but she couldn’t let this slide. Her hand found the screen door, and she slid it open with an angry jerk and stepped onto the deck. The wood beneath her shuddered with the force of her angry feet.
“Lani?” Ben’s voice was cautious.
“I heard every word,” she said, swiping again at her wet face. “So my doctor didn’t refer you to me. And my dear cousin doubted my word and had to call in reinforcements. Men! Did you think I was a liar or what?”
Fisher whined and licked her hand. She could feel him trembling, and she patted him, but even that didn’t drain her ire. “I don’t need your help or your protection. I’m not a child anymore, Yoshi.” Someone’s hand touched her arm, and she jerked away. She didn’t care if it was Yoshi or Ben who touched her. Neither hand was welcome.
“Why are you so mad?” Yoshi asked. “You’ve not exactly been the most open person in the past, Lani. I had to know the truth. This has been the must frustrating case of my career. Witnesses vanishing, empty houses. I’ve got nothing. You’re the key, Lani. Tell me the truth.”
“I told you the truth!” She backed away, her hand searching for the door. “I’m going back to Aunt Rina’s in the morning, and I want both of you to leave me alone.” She started back to the door and turned. “And don’t even try to take Fisher from me! Possession is ninetenths of the law, and I’m not giving him up.”
She stumbled back through the kitchen, banging her shin against a chair. Fisher’s nails clicked on the tile as he loped along beside her. Gaining the sanctuary of the bedroom, she shut the door to discouarge either of them from trying to talk to her and climbed back into bed. Hot tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and trickled into her hair and onto
the pillow.
Why had Ben kissed her? Was it to gain her trust and ferret out information? She didn’t want to believe that, but it made sense. Stupid, she was so stupid. She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.
As she brushed her fingers across her eyes, she felt a strange sensation in her head. She blinked. Was it light she was seeing? Opening her eyes wider, she strained to see something. But it was gone. Probably her imagination again. Closing her eyes, she decided not to think anymore. She’d just sleep, and it would be better in the morning.
A face swam in her memory behind her closed lids. It seemed so familiar, not scary like she remembered. If only she could drag that memory from the cellar. She was at the mercy of the murderer as long as the memory of that day eluded her.
THRESH SAT OUTSIDE and watched the condo. Peekaboo had no idea of the danger she was in. The lights flickered and hummed. Did she have company? It wasn’t like her to be without a man. She hadn’t changed a bit, which made his job easier.
The darkened leaves crunched underfoot. A streetlight was out, which helped. It wouldn’t take long to dispose of her and escape. He looked forward to seeing her expression change when she understood what was going to happen.
Ben’s condo faced the water, and the smell of the sea was strong. He took the tiled steps up to the fourth floor. A Harley sign was on the door with the name Mahoney under it. This was where the party would happen.
He felt a pleasant buzz of anticipation. Peekaboo had arranged for Mary to die and for Blossom to take the fall. Now she would pay. This day had been coming for a long time. Peekaboo opened the door. “Thresh, what are you doing here? Do you have any idea what time it is?”
“Your light was on.” Thresh said. He stepped into the entry, shoving her back.
“Hey,” she said, her voice rising on an indignant note.
He shut the door and turned to face her. This night would be treasured for a long time to come. Her gaze went to the gun in his hand, and fear crept into her eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Ben knew he shouldn’t be mad at Yoshi. It was no one’s fault Lani had overheard their conversation. The time for truth had come and gone, and he’d let the opportunity slip away days earlier. Before he kissed her, he should have confessed how he came to appear in her life. Even when Yoshi had talked him into helping her, Ben knew he should be aboveboard and honest.
He’d been the victim of half truths himself too many times to enjoy making Lani one too. There had to be some way he could make it up to her. The memory of the anguish in her voice made him pace the deck. Would she accept an apology?
“You’re making me nervous, prowling around like a cat. Sit down. She’ll get over it.”
“I don’t think so, Yoshi.” Ben dropped onto the step beside his friend. “We really hurt her.” He winced inwardly at the remembrance of the way the moonlight had illuminated the pain in her face.
Yoshi didn’t answer right away, and Ben turned to look at him. Yoshi stared at him. “What?” Ben asked.
“You’ve fallen for my cousin, dude.” There was surprise in his voice. “Don’t go there. She eats hearts for breakfast.”
Ben had always known Lani attracted men. He’d watched her in action with Ethan and Tyrone. Someone that gorgeous didn’t get to be twentyfive without having any boyfriends, but she was different now. “I know I don’t have a chance,” he admitted. “You don’t have to tell me.”
Yoshi appraised him. “You’re not ugly. I didn’t mean you’d scare little children. But Lani has been used to men swarming around her from the time she was twelve. She never stays with one long. Mano was nuts about her once too.”
Ben raised his brows. “Mano doesn’t seem to notice anyone but Annie.”
Yoshi nodded. “It just took him awhile to see Annie’s goodness. But Lani tires of men easily. I love her, but sometimes you gotta face the truth about someone.” He shrugged. “Though I will say she seems different lately. Not so restless and eager for a good time.”
“I don’t think she’s like that anymore at all,” Ben said. “A friend called last week and offered to come get her for a night out, and she put her off.”
“That surprises me. Lani’s always been a party waiting to happen.”
Ben shook his head. “I can’t see it, man. I know what you’re saying, and I’ve seen her in action in the past. She’s not like that now.”
“Maybe you’re right. I keep waiting for the old Lani to reappear. Still, watch yourself. I’d hate to see you get hurt.”
“Not a chance. I know enough to realize I don’t have a shot.”
Yoshi’s smile flashed, and he studied Ben’s face. “You’ve still got your hair. And you brought her the dog. That ought to count for something.”
“I’d say you’ll be the one to go to the altar first, buddy.” Ben jabbed him with his elbow. “I’ve seen you making eyes at Fawn. She’s a sweetheart.”
“I’ve known her for years,” Yoshi said in a pensive tone. “But I feel like I’ve just met her. She’s pretty special.”
“I don’t know what she sees in a slime ball like you.” Ben smacked him on the shoulder and wished Lani would show her feelings as clearly as Fawn showed hers.
“She’s had a crush on me for years. I always knew it, but I just thought of her as Annie’s best friend.”
“Kind of like the way you don’t see Lani clearly either?”
Yoshi grinned. “You’re grasping at straws, man. Just be careful.”
“I will.” But he was afraid it was already too late.
The sun beat warm on her arm and face. Lani smelled the spicy aroma of Spam and eggs. She opened her eyes and blinked. Light flooded the room, brilliant, golden light. Bolting upright, she widened her eyes and looked around. It wasn’t as bright as she first thought, but she could see shadow and light.
“Annie!” She groped for her sister’s arm, but the bed was empty. Fawn was gone too. Lani’s feet hit the floor, and she stumbled toward the door, blinking at the brightness. “Annie, Annie!”
She ran into the closed door and bounced back. An idiotic smile stretched her lips. Twisting the knob, she flung open the door and padded down the hall with her hand on the wall to steady herself. “Annie!” she shouted again.
“What’s wrong?” Annie asked. A vague form cut off the light as her sister’s voice grew nearer.
“I can see light.” Lani reached toward the shadow and grasped Annie’s hands. “I can see your shadow!”
“Oh, Lani!” Annie embraced her. “We need to call the doctor right away. Maybe your sight is coming back.” Her wet hair smelled of something herbal.
A bigger shadow moved through Lani’s vision. “What’s going on?” Ben asked.
“I can see light!” Lani squinted and tried to make out his face, but he was just a blur. She moved closer, but his face refused to come into focus. “I still can’t see you, though,” she said.
“You can see?” Fawn’s voice came from the kitchen door.
Lani turned. “Not yet, but it’s coming back—it’s coming back.” She whirled in a circle, colliding with a hard chest. The spicy after-shave told her it was Ben’s firm hands that steadied her. She pulled away, but realized her initial anger had evaporated some with the lifting of the oppressive darkness. She could deal with him now, and with her emotions. He’d never know how much he hurt her.
Lifting her chin, she stepped away. “Where’s Yoshi?”
“He went after some milk. Meg wanted cereal,” Tyrone said. “Congratulations, Lani.”
His tone told her he didn’t begrudge her her good fortune. “Thanks.” She heard Annie talking to the doctor on the phone. Stepping to the window, she basked in the light piercing her darkness. “I want to go to Honaunau,” she said.
“I’ll take you,” Ben said.
The last thing she wanted was to be with him. “Annie will take me.”
Annie hung up the phone. “The doctor wants you to go to his office immediately. I’ll take y
ou, and the guys can take care of Meg.”
Lani wanted to see faces now. The doctor should be able to tell her how long it would be before she could see clearly again. She was still basically blind, except for shadow and light. At least she didn’t feel so walled off from everyone. “Let’s go,” she said.
“I’m coming too,” Fawn said.
Dr. Cooper’s office bustled with shadows and noise. The nurse ushered Lani, Fawn, and Annie to an examining room, and the doctor rushed in moments later. “Let’s check your pupil reflexes,” he said. He examined her eyes, shining the light into them, then stepped back. “How many fingers am I holding up?” he asked.
Lani could see only his shadow. “I can’t tell.”
“Hmm,” the doctor murmered.
Was that good or bad? Lani clutched the edge of the examining table and waited for the verdict. “So when will I get back all my vision?”
“There’s no guarantee you will. This may be as much as you get. Or it may all come back. Only time will tell.” Dr. Cooper’s shadow moved, and his little light went out.
“That can’t be! If it’s come this far, it has to come back. I can’t even make out faces.” Lani’s voice rose, and Annie put a warning hand on her arm. Lani didn’t slow down. “There has to be something you can do now.”
“I’m afraid not, Lani.” Dr. Cooper patted her shoulder. “It’s going to take time before we know. I could give you another IV of mannitol, but I don’t think it will do any good this late in the healing.” His pen scratched on paper. “Come back in a couple of weeks unless there’s a dramatic change again.” He nodded to Annie and Fawn and exited the room.
The crash at the bottom of her euphoric morning brought a knot to her throat. “I was so hopeful,” she murmured. She hugged herself and fought the sting in her eyes.
A shadow moved, and Annie touched her arm. “I’ll pray, Lani. God’s brought us this far.”
Lani squinted up at her sister. “He has, hasn’t he?” She’d been spiritually blind, and he had brought her light. Maybe he’d do the same with her eyes.
Midnight Sea (Aloha Reef Series) Page 20