by Tamara Woods
"Are you alright? Do you want to head out?" he asked in a voice pitched low just for her ears. She nodded. She'd been ready to go before, but now she was totally over it. Surfing was fun and all, but being a spectator was dangerous.
Rod dabbed at his face again and then gave them a beguiling smile. “These surfers can be surprisingly emotional,” he said mildly. “Don’t leave on my account.” His harem arrested his attention taking turns cooing to him. The brunette gave him a bottle of water.
“I’m dragging and I’m sure Fraya is too. We’re going to head out. Is everyone still coming to the bar tonight?”
Rod raised his bottle with a sleazy grin. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
CHAPTER TEN
Things felt like they were coming to a head for Fraya. There was a piece missing and she couldn’t quite put it together. Between Cam attacking Rod, poor Liz and Gamilla dying, the past few days had been a rocky road.
Yet, there she was, ready to sleep for a week, pulling herself together to go to Keith’s bar tonight. He would be picking her up any minute. She felt strongly about taking care of the environment, but she liked to think they were helping by carpooling.
Weak, she knew. Especially with his gas guzzling menace. But there was literally no way she could handle a bike ride. She was feeling every one of her thirty years.
A knock sounded on her door. She rushed to look through the peephole and found Keith standing there. She grabbed her purse and opened the door.
“You look great,” he said.
“You’re not too bad yourself.”
While she’d gone for a soft blue strappy dress with matching sandals, he wore khaki shorts and an Aloha shirt that had the same shade of blue. For some reason, she was pleased that they matched.
They drive to his bar was a fairly short ride and they chatted about everything other than the murders. Even if they were always in the forefront of her mind, she wanted to have one night where things could just be normal.
They parked behind the building in his spot. He walked her around the lanai.
“The back goes through the kitchen. It’s always hot and muggy in there. I’m guessing you don’t want to walk through that,” he said.
“You’d guess right,” she said. “There’s some places I love to be, but a hot kitchen isn’t one of them.”
“Where do you love to be?”
She didn’t even have to think. “By the water at night, when it’s quiet and all you can hear is the tide rolling in. It feels so serene.”
“Beautiful,” he said, looking down at her. She smiled, but it was tinged with uncertainty.
He took in her face, and brushed a curl back from her face. “We better get inside,” he said.
Though she nodded, she wished she had the courage to reach out. The moment was lost, and inside he excused and she was left to her own devices. She walked over to the bar and ordered a black Russian. She wasn’t in the mood for a milky drink and loved the coffee flavor of the liqueur.
Rod had rented out The Oasis for a private party. Several of the surfers and their buddies danced in the middle of the room. She could see Rod and his harem in one of the tables closer to the front. One booth over, Cam and Trent sat by themselves. The deejay bumped a reggae mix that she felt right in her hips. She danced in place while she waited for her drink.
“You’ve been holding out on me! Where you find that dress?” Leilani asked from behind her.
Fraya spun in surprise, her dress flaring around her. “I didn’t know you were here!” They gave each other hugs, like they hadn’t seen each other in years, like they always did.
“Yeah, just for a little bit. Marcus is at home with the kids, letting me chill for the Saturday.”
“Nice, you’re definitely working it!”
Leilani’s maxi dress had red hibiscus that emphasized the golden tones in her skin. She wore her long, thick hair loose for once. So long mom bun, Fraya thought as she grinned at her friend.
“Ya know, I still got it,” Leilani said, brushing imaginary dirt off her shoulder. They caught eyes and burst into laughter.
The bartender brought her drink and set it on a napkin. After putting change in the tip jar, she turned to her best friend. “Do you have a table?”
Leilani led her across the bar and plopped into the booth beside Cam. She found herself seated beside Trent, who stared morosely into his glass.
“Are you okay?” she asked him.
He didn’t seem to know how to answer, and she didn’t know what to say to him after that. With an inward shrug, she let the conversation die.
Cam and Leilani discussed his girlfriend back home. He showed her pictures of his baby and she shared pics of the twins. Fraya smiled ruefully. Only Leilani would go to a bar and find someone as ready as she was to show of baby pictures. She looked down at Trent’s hand. His fingers fiddled with a ring that was too big for him. It looked like Keith’s.
“Oh, were you in a frat?” she asked.
“No, I graduated high school and dove right into the ocean. Never looked back,” he said.
“Has surfing always been your life?” She spun her drink on the napkin to dislodge some of the sweat.
“Part of my life is gone now. It died with Gam.”
Cam caught her gaze and rolled his eyes before returning his attention to Leilani’s phone.
“Weren’t you two broken up?” Fraya lifted her low ball glass and sipped. He turned to her so abruptly, she choked on her drink.
“Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that. We were going to be together again,” he hissed. His dark eyes had an intensity that made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
“Of course, of course,” she quickly agreed, more than ready to leave the booth. “I’m going to go chat with some people. Excuse me.”
She joined the group who were dancing, smoothly sliding into swinging her hips to the downbeat. She put one hand in the air, moving her shoulders side to side. She closed her eyes so she could feel it. Music had been the bread and butter of her childhood. In all family get-togethers, she and her cousins would have music going in one room while the older-timers told stories in the other.
Good times.
These days she took any the opportunity to find that rhythm. She opened her eyes and Keith was matching her step for step. They moved toward each other, dipping hips. They weren’t touching, but they might as well be. His eyes had darkened as they met hers.
The deejay chose that moment to abruptly turn off the song. The crowd grumbled in protest.
“Sorry, sorry, hit the wrong button,” he said into the mic.
Just like that, the moment was broken.
“I’m going to head outside to get some air,” Fraya said to Keith, leaving him standing on the dance floor.
When she shoved through the back door, the breeze played through her hair and cooled the sweat on her brow. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. And again. And again. She needed to calm down. Something had changed between her and Keith. She hadn’t expected it. Hadn’t looked for it. But that didn’t matter. She hadn’t been on a date since her divorce. Maybe it was time to open herself up to the world again.
The door behind her slowly squeaked open. Her stomach jumped at the sound. She assumed it was Keith coming outside. Who else would brave that inferno of a kitchen? Her mind went back to how he’d brushed the hair from her face, and she wanted that moment to do over. She waited for him to join her.
“Are you having a good night?” she asked over her shoulder.
“No, no I’m not Fraya,” Trent said.
She spun around in surprise. “Oh hey Trent, I thought you were inside,” she said, wincing at obvious statement. “What’s up?”
“Too hot, I needed air,” He shoved his hand through his already ruffled hair and the light hit that ring. Something clicked for her.
“Trent, where did you say you got that ring?” She asked, hoped like crazy her hunch was wrong.
“I didn’t say.�
�� Those dark eyes were boring right through her again.
“You know, Keith has a ring like that.”
Trent remained silent, looking at her.
“He got it in a frat. You know who was in that frat with him?”
Still he waited, his eyes watchful.
“Rod did, Trent. Rod was in the frat with him.”
Nothing.
Fraya didn’t need him to tic though. Following her hunch, she added, “I know that Gamilla was wearing that ring when you hurt her that night.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His teeth clenched so hard, it looked like his jaw could break.
She’d struck a nerve. “That’s why it’s so loose. Rod definitely has a couple pounds on you,” she continued like he hadn’t spoken. “Must have been so frustrating to see your girl with a guy like that.”
She waited. She’d been watching him the past couple of days. Silently simmering. Exploding yesterday. He wouldn’t be able to sit in the silence. She heard a lone car driving in the distance.
“He’s a vulture.” Trent’s voice was low and grinding, like he was ripping the words from his throat. “Look at him in there. With those girls. He doesn’t care about any of them.”
“I know. He’s a horrible person. But why Gamilla? You loved her so much.” She suddenly realized that she was behind the building with a murderer. She had to keep him talking so she could get away.
“She was my everything. Is my everything. But she wouldn’t listen, would she Fraya? I told her Rod wasn’t right for her. I was.”
He took a step toward her, but she moved to the side. She was in heels; she probably wouldn’t be able to outrun him. But with the adrenaline running through her veins, she’d give a good fight.
“She wouldn’t listen to me. After all these years. When everybody else just wanted to steal some of her glory, it was me trying to make sure she shone bright. Me.” He jabbed himself in the chest with his thumb. “And what did I get for it? Do you know Fraya since you know so much?”
She shook her head, her eyes darting around.
“She yelled at me. And when that didn’t work, she laughed. And that’s when I did what I’d come to do. I stuck her in the neck. With a needle.”
He pulled one of his cargo pants pocket, “Just like this one. Chock full of Angel’s Trumpet. You can learn how to do anything you want on the internet, you know. Anything at all.”
He stood transfixed looking at the needle and she made her break for it. Her feet pounded against the wooden lanai while she made her way around The Oasis. There was another door between the front door and the back. If she could get to it—
He grabbed her hair from behind and pulled her toward him. “Maybe if I kill one more, those idiot cops will figure out Rod did it.”
He was so close to her body, his hot breath burned her face. She snatched a heavy ashtray from a nearby table. She firmed her grip and smacked him as hard as she could in the side of his head. He grunted and let her go. Her feet were already in motion when she heard his body hit the deck. Fray didn’t bother to look back. She ran into the bar to find Keith.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Don’t’ just stand there with your trap wide open waiting for somebody to land in there. Get her a glass of water,” Norma Jean ordered. Today’s shirt said Sorry I’m Late-Didn’t Want 2 Come.
“Don’t you mean some thing?” Winnie asked.
“Oh no honey. She definitely meant somebody,” Rose said over her shoulder with a wink as she sashayed into the house. Fraya quietly chuckled at the other woman’s sass.
“Good grief,” Winnie said, fanning herself with her hand. “Y’all are going to be the death of me.”
“You promise?” Norma Jean snipped. Then she caught sight of Fraya’s wounded expression. “Oh I’m sorry. There. Better?”
Fraya’s mouth twitched at the gruffest apology she’d ever heard in her life, but she nodded. She knew they liked to push each other’s buttons, but in all ways that counted, they were a family. She was glad to have them with her today. Instead of allowing her to sit and mull over everything, they’d brought food over for an impromptu picnic.
“I can’t believe you were out there alone with that...that...demon! What were you thinking?” Winnie asked, looking over her sunglasses at her. Fraya opened her mouth in defense.
“She was thinking about that tall glass of sexiness who isn’t here today, that’s who she was thinking of,” Rose said, handing Fraya a glass of water.
Fraya thanked her friend, appreciative that the ladies had closed rank to take care of her. After last night’s ordeal, she preferring having her friends surrounding her on her porch. The idea of being alone was more unnerving than she was willing to admit
“I had gone outside to be myself. And he came out there, too. And he—and he—“ Fraya’s throat felt like it was closing in on itself; her stomach tied itself in knots. She hadn’t had time to think about how much trouble she’d been in. She’d been acting on pure adrenaline. And now that it was over, the danger and what ifs were all she could think about.
She looked down at the wrinkled hand holding hers.
“There, there now girl,” Norma Jean said, her voice gruff. “That sunovagun is going to be in jail for a long time. You don’t have to worry about him no more. You did me proud, bashing him in the face like that.”
Fraya smiled in appreciation, knowing she’d been given the biggest compliment ever. She wrapped herself a little tighter in her brown cardigan. It was a chilly day with the wind blowing off of the ocean, but it felt refreshing. The sky’s blue rivaled that only of the ocean. It was these little things that made life so precious.
I really need to get that camera, she thought. She looked up at the minivan that pulled up beside of her sedan.
“Hey, sis!” Leilani called out.
Marcus waved. Behind him, Ayden followed at a sedate pace, crisp as ever in his suit. The twins blew past them, running to Fraya, holding flowers. Her eyes fill with tears. Why were those two battered flowers so touching? Kanoe and Kekai snuggled up against her, each claiming a shoulder. She hugged them close and kissed the top of their heads. They smelled like sunshine and the beach.
“Now what are you supposed to say to Auntie?” Leilani prompted.
“We love you berry much Auntie,” they said in unison, grinning their matching gap-toothed grins.
“Hey, where’d those teeth go?! Did you lose my teeth?” Fraya asked with mock seriousness.
“No Auntie!”
“They’re mine teeth.”
They wiggled their way back onto the ground and ran toward the sand.
“Stay where we can see you, ya?” Marcus called.
Leilani and Marcus had brought their own beach chairs. Winnie had brought her portable beach table where they’d laid out quite the spread. Lomi lomi, ahi poke, poi, roasted chicken, and even a few sweets. Rose had brought a bottle of red wine that she knew Fraya favored. Norma Jean always brought the paper plates and a bag of chips.
Chancing a glance over, Fraya spotted Ayden. Far enough away that he wouldn’t hear. “Has your brother said anything about the cases?” Fraya asked Leilani.
She nodded. “He said he’s really up against it right now. They have to wrap everything up quick. Two murders and an attempted murder.”
Fraya felt light-headed and a little dizzy. Her brain seemed to be moving in jerky stop motion. Attempted murder...attempted...attempted...
The next thing she knew, her face was pressed down into her knees.
“Breath in deep,” Winne told her. “Take it slow. You only passed out for a little bit.”
“I’m sorry, Fraya. I need to watch my words. I didn’t know you were so fragile.”
I didn’t either, she thought. She’d never fainted before in her life. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be a trend.
“I’m fine,” she said out loud, sitting up slowly.
Leilani stood there with her hands clasped in front of her
.
“I’ve never seen you like that before,” she said, her voice thick with unshed tears.
“I’m okay. Don’t worry, Lani. Have a seat and relax yourself.”
“Don’t start getting sappy and opening up the waterworks,” Norma Jean said. She plonked down a plate full of too much food in front of Fraya. “Here. Eat this. You probably haven’t eaten all day.”
Fraya thanked her, appreciating her brusque manner. If everyone started treating her like an invalid, she would start to believe it herself. She took a bite of chicken and chewed slowly.
She turned to Ayden. “How did he...how did he murder Liz?”
“He did it the same way. The Angel Trumpet is a lethal flower. He managed to distill it and weaponize it. He’d injected her in the neck too,” the detective said, leaning back on his beach chair.
“Everybody thought it was a drink because her drink was spilled beside her,” Fraya said, recalling the scene. A thought struck her.
“Was Gamilla pregnant?” she asked.
Ayden’s eyes widened before he could contain himself. “None of this goes off this lanai, got it?” He looked around and then pointed at Winnie. “Especially you.”
She huffed and crossed her arms. “Oh, the nerve!”
He kept looking at her steadily.
“Well, fine then,” she patted the back of her hair. “I know how to keep a secret.”
Norma Jean snorted.
“Ladies, please. Let this handsome gentleman have the floor,” Rose said with a wink.
“Uh, thank you, ma’am,” he said, making her frown in disapproval.
Or what she could manage of frown. With all that botox fighting for control, it was hard to say what her real emotions were.
“How did you know she was pregnant?” Ayden asked.
“It made sense in a twisted way. That’s what pushed Trent over the edge. And that’s why she was saying: ‘He doesn’t know.’ She hadn’t told Rod,” she said.
“That’s such a shame,” Marcus said. “All these people’s lives messed up, because of one nutso.”