Dying for a Daiquiri

by CindySample

  If I’d only skipped that second macadamia nut muffin at breakfast.

  My head ached as if someone was repeatedly punching my helmet. The pounding increased as rumbling sounded above. Was my attacker returning to finish the job? Then the ground above me started to shake.

  This had better not be an earthquake. I was in no mood for a natural disaster. I was enough of a walking, talking disaster without any help from unseen geologic forces.

  A line of bright headlights beamed above, almost blinding me.

  “Yoo hoo, Laurel,” shouted Liz. “Hang on, luv. We’re here for you.”

  “Don’t let go,” Stan yelled.

  Like I would?

  I cautiously lifted my head and spotted our tour guide anchoring a rope around a large boulder near the rim overlook. I hoped it was strong enough to support both our weights. The rubber soles of his shoes bounced off the cliff face as he worked his way down to where I clung to my sagging lifeline. In no time at all, Les was by my side and tying another rope around my waist. I walked, crawled and occasionally slipped back a few feet as I climbed uphill. With the entire group working together to hoist me up, I eventually made it to the top.

  Once I reached the overlook, I could have kissed the ground, but I’d had enough close and personal contact with the muddy soil. I decided to kiss Dave, Stan, Liz, Brian, and the tour guide instead.

  “How did you fall over the rim?” Liz asked. She wrapped her arm around my bruised and aching body, giving me a gentle squeeze.

  “I was rammed from behind.” The minute I uttered those words, everyone stopped talking.

  Les whirled around, his dark eyes startled. “What?”

  My eyes scanned the group of people gathered around me. “Someone rammed me. He wore a helmet so I have no idea what he looks like.”

  “Would you recognize the driver’s clothes?” Stan asked, morphing into Hawaii Five-O mode.

  “He was wearing raingear.” I scrutinized the other riders more carefully, none of whom was dressed in any type of protective clothing. Could my assailant have stripped off his raingear and be hiding in plain sight? That was a disquieting thought. I rubbed my palms over my cheeks then looked at them. My hands were raw, covered with mud and something that resembled the color my hair stylist used on my roots.

  “Oh, luv, your hands and face are bloody well messed up,” Liz said. “And I left my Aloe Vera packets in the hotel. They’re so soothing in moments like this.”

  “Yes, there’s nothing like some soothing Aloe Vera lotion to erase the memory of FALLING OVER A CLIFF!”

  “Are you up to driving yourself back on your ATV?” Les asked. “If not, you can sit behind me.”

  The weight of making a decision about how to drive back to the ATV center suddenly seemed like the weight of the world, and I dropped to the ground. Dave immediately flopped down next to me. He put his arm around me and reminded me of all the numerous incidents in the past when I’d managed to return home after falling off my bicycle, out of a wagon, off my skateboard, and off the roof of the doghouse.

  Yes, I was pretending to be Snoopy. Doesn’t every five-year-old?

  By the time he’d finished regaling me and the other riders with some of my childhood antics, Dave had me laughing so hard over previous incidents in my checkered youth that my ribs ached even more than before. Once again, just as he’d done many decades ago, my big brother came through for me.

  Dave offered to have me ride behind him, and even though it was a tight fit for us siblings, I smiled in agreement.

  Like they say, blood is thicker than water, and I had the blood dripping down my face to prove it!

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  By the time we reached the tour office, I felt beat-up and beat. I practically fell out of the ATV, but Les, our guide, was by my side in seconds, prepared to escort me into the building. My friends and brother were right behind me. The minute the woman in the center laid sympathetic eyes on me, she reached under the counter and pulled out a full-size first-aid kit.

  “Gal, you look like you been run over by an ATV. Did that machine give you some trouble?”

  I nodded, which made my head feel like it was stuck between two cymbals performing a rendition of “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

  “She had a run-in with a cliff,” Stan said. “I think the cliff won.”

  “Well, you come with Naomi and I’ll get you all fixed up like new.”

  Naomi led me into the backroom where she proceeded to smother my assorted body parts with fragrant oils. An assortment of BandAids soon dotted my arms and legs. Liz had followed us in and the two women compared notes on their favorite healing lotions and potions. My friend assured me that Naomi’s kukui oil combined with Liz’s special Aloe Vera salve would turn me into a new woman. No one would ever know I’d experienced a literal cliff-hanger.

  On the car ride back to the hotel, I struggled to remain awake. Worried that I’d suffered a concussion, Dave insisted on nudging me every time my chin dropped to chest level. We finally stopped at a Starbucks in Waimea. Dave decided if a double shot of espresso and one of their dark chocolate bars wasn’t sufficient to keep me from dozing, then we would need to find an urgent care facility.

  For years, Dave had claimed I needed to have my head examined.

  The gasps from a few customers when I entered the store, warned me I must look like a complete disaster. There had been no mirrors in the ATV center so I almost suffered a heart attack when I entered the ladies’ room and saw my image reflected over the sink. I looked like a cast member of Survivor.

  And not one from the winning team.

  After five minutes in the bathroom, I realized nothing outside of laser surgery or black magic would improve my appearance. I joined the gang seated at a table in the corner. Brian must have gone outside to make a call because he walked back in, stuffing his cell in his Bermuda shorts pocket.

  “How do you feel, luv?” asked Liz.

  “Like a convoy of ATVs ran over my body.”

  “You’re lucky to be alive,” Brian said. “Did you see how far down that drop was into the valley?”

  Yes, indeed. I’d definitely noticed the two-thousand-foot drop into the valley below me. My hands trembled as I gripped my drink. Dark brown drops of hot espresso dotted the table.

  Stan grabbed a napkin and cleaned up my mess. “So tell us why you think you were intentionally knocked off your ATV?”

  I sipped the dark brew and let the coffee work its comforting warmth into my stomach before I replied.

  “The driver rammed me twice. The first time I managed to hold on to the ATV, but just barely. I figured he was simply a tailgater and hit me accidentally. The next impact was more forceful. It had to be intentional.”

  “Do you think it was a case of road rage?” Liz tapped her stir stick on the table while she contemplated the possibilities. “Even if no one in the group admitted to it?”

  I shook my head. “I suppose there are crazy drivers anywhere, but it felt like such a personal attack. I’ve mulled it over, and now I’m wondering if it had something to do with Keiki’s murder. Maybe someone wanted me out of the way.”

  “They almost succeeded,” Liz said dolefully.

  “Who knew you were going to be on the ride this morning?” Brian asked.

  Dave and I exchanged glances. At least one person knew about our excursion. But he should have been out riding the waves this morning. Not riding on an ATV.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Regan called Dave while we were en-route to the hotel. With the reality crew arriving at Koffee Land the next day to begin filming, Regan claimed that Pilar insisted she stay onsite overnight to assist them with any issues that might come up. Victor would be unavailable due to Keiki’s memorial service the next day.

  A range of emotions crossed Dave’s face as they conversed. Anger that his wife was placing her career over her husband once again, seemed to be followed by relief that he didn’t have to worry about said
wife sleeping next to him that evening. At least one thing was certain. Regan wasn’t anywhere near Waipi’o today.

  We dropped Dave at his home so he could clean up. Since Brian had to be in court Monday morning, this was the newlyweds’ last night on the island. Brian and Liz wanted to run errands and pick up souvenirs to take home. Her eyes twinkling, Liz declared she had a special surprise in store for me. Knowing my best friend’s quest to discover the next anti-aging miracle cream, she probably planned on emolliating me with some slick new spa item she’d discovered on the island. With my arms throbbing from my cliff-side descent, I welcomed anything that would soothe my aching limbs.

  Dave agreed to drive over to the hotel and dine with Mother, Stan and me later this evening. My watch showed three o’clock, and, concussion or not, I needed a nap. Maybe I could find a hammock near the beach. Once my mother saw my condition, I sincerely doubted she would let me rest without a lengthy grilling.

  Fortunately, Mother was out when I entered our room. I flopped on the bed, a huge mistake, since the firm mattress was not designed to soothe a battered body. The walk into our marble bathroom entailed only five additional steps, but my limbs were so stiff and sore it felt like five miles. A hot toddy and a hot bath sounded wonderful.

  And a hot Tommy to hug me and kiss my many boo boos sounded even better.

  I shook my bedraggled curls. It was a good thing the detective wasn’t on the island. There was no way I wanted Tom to see me in my current condition. Most women would worry their boyfriend wouldn’t be interested in a body as bruised and battered as mine. My detective, on the other hand, would shift into investigative mode. The last thing I needed was another lecture.

  The bath proved the perfect cure. My aches disappeared beneath the hot water and jasmine-scented bubble bath provided by the hotel. The bubbles not only soothed my physical aches and pains, they cleared the fog from my brain.

  Did the driver of the ATV intend to kill me or just delay me from investigating any further? As far as anyone knew, I was supposed to fly home the next day. Did I possess some critical knowledge pertaining to the murders? Even if I still hadn’t figured out what it was yet?

  Much as I hated to admit it, the most likely suspect had to be Steve. I sank deeper into the bath, my sigh so robust a bevy of bubbles floated out of the tub. The ship captain had employed Keiki on several occasions. I found that photo of the dancer in his bedroom. Although he hadn’t come right out and said he was interested in her, he admitted he’d found Keiki enticing. It would have been easy for Steve to frame Regan, or his best friend, Dave. Plus he’d invited me on board the Sea Jinx the night I almost drowned.

  The final nail in the coffin I felt like shoving him into was that he knew I would be at Waipi’o Valley today.

  I jumped out of the tub and grabbed one of the oversized fluffy white towels from the rack. The relaxing heat from the bath was nothing compared to the white-hot anger that surged through my body toward the person who’d tried to kill me.

  I needed to stop him before he did any more harm to me. Or to anyone else.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  Imagine my astonishment when I arrived at the hotel restaurant to dine with my mother, Dave, Stan, and a surprise guest.

  Steve. The man I’d recently voted most likely to be our killer.

  As I slid into the vacant chair between Steve and Stan, I sent a “what the heck were you thinking” look across the table to my brother. He threw his palms up indicating he was as clueless as I was.

  My mother provided the answer to the question in our eyes. “I ran into Steve in the lobby and invited him to dine with us. I knew you wouldn’t want to leave without spending some time together, Laurel.”

  Steve casually placed his arm along the back of my chair. I shot him an accusing look. He either didn’t recognize an accusatory stare or he was an exceptional actor.

  “Your mother’s timing was perfect,” Steve said. “I dropped by because I wanted to talk to both you and Dave.”

  How convenient, since I also wanted to talk to him. “How was your snorkel expedition today?” I hoped my question would catch him off guard and he would reveal his true whereabouts this morning.

  “We had a decent turnout,” he said. “We were a little short-handed, but I think everyone had a good time.” His knee touched mine ever so slightly. “Of course, it would have been more fun if you were on board serving drinks.”

  Steve winked at me. “Wearing that attractive tablecloth.”

  I blushed at his distracting compliment. Focus, Laurel. I twisted in my seat and stared at him, trying to ascertain if he was lying. “So you weren’t at Waipi’o Valley this morning?”

  Steve looked at me as if I was suffering Alzheimer’s symptoms. “No, remember, I told you last night we had an early morning sail. Your mother mentioned you had a slight accident. Those ATV’s can be tricky when you’re a beginner.”

  “They can be especially difficult if someone tries to kill you.”

  “What?” Steve and my mother gasped simultaneously. I forgot that Dave and I decided to inform my mother I’d had a minor accident, not that someone had forced me to learn rock climbing in one not-so-easy lesson.

  “The driver of one of the ATVs intentionally rammed me,” I apologized to my mother. “We didn’t want to upset you.”

  “I don’t understand.” Her face turned whiter than the napkin resting on her lap. “Who would do such a thing?”

  “Someone who knew we would be riding ATV’s in Waipi’o today,” Dave said. “That leaves one person we know of.” He leaned forward, his expression fierce as he glowered at his best friend. “We told Steve where we were going last night.”

  Steve’s expression quickly changed from confusion to a mix of disbelief and anger. “You thought I had something to do with it? That I attacked Laurel on her ATV? Are you kidding me, pal?”

  Steve rose from his chair and threw his napkin on the table as he glared in my direction. “And here I thought you were beginning to have feelings for me. I sure do know how to pick them.” He turned to my mother. “Barbara, thank you for your invitation, but I think it’s time for me to leave. Good night, all.”

  Steve strode out of the restaurant and into the lobby without a backwards glance. Stan threw me a guilty look. “You might want to stop him. Don’t forget we told Keiki’s parents we were going on the ATV ride. I also told Tiffany. And a guy at the front desk I was kind of flirting with last night.”

  Hmmm. Now that I thought about it, I’d also told Ritz about our trip, and he could have shared it with anyone. Geez. Was there anyone on the island who didn’t know our travel plans?

  Dave shot out of his chair and zipped around the tables, chairs and servers to catch up with Steve. In the space of a week, Dave had lost an employee and possibly his wife. Now it looked like we’d chased away his best friend.

  I followed in Dave’s wake. I felt horrible that we’d accused Steve of attacking me when all our evidence consisted of was my suspicious nature and the crumpled photo of Keiki I’d found in his closet.

  I was an even worse detective than Inspector Clouseau.

  I hustled as fast as I could, but every inch of my thighs and calves ached. I finally caught up to Dave and Steve arguing in the lobby. I shoved myself between the two men. “Hey, guys, stop right there.” Dave’s face was almost as red as his receding hair and beard. Steve was tight-lipped and cool, but he didn’t try to leave.

  I ordered them to follow me to a grouping of chairs in the lobby. Dave collapsed into one of the soft cushioned seats while Steve remained upright and tense.

  “Look, Steve, I can see why you’re upset.” I cringed as my bruised booty made contact with one of the smaller settees. “We thought there was a ton of evidence pointing in your direction.”

  Steve lifted a brow. “Anything you could have shared with me before I vaulted to the top of your suspect list?”

  “Look, man,” Dave said. “We found a photo of Keiki in your
closet the other night.”

  “Why were you going through my things?” Steve’s reply was cooler than a cup of Hawaiian shaved ice.

  “Dave and I were sitting on your lanai talking,” I explained, trying to mend the rift I’d created between the two men. “The breeze from the ocean picked up, and I felt chilled, so he suggested I borrow a jacket from your closet. When the sliding door jammed on a piece of paper, I grabbed it and saw it was a photo of Keiki.”

  “That’s your evidence? Good thing you aren’t applying for a job with the Hawaii police department,” Steve said. “Keiki asked me to take some photos of her a while ago. I use a professional camera for the cruise passengers’ pictures. She was submitting an application to be a contestant for that reality show they’re taping at Koffee Land.”

  Dave chimed in with his own accusations. “We also told you about the ATV trip.”

  Steve ran his hand through his unruly blond hair. “I mentioned to the gang at poker last night that your group was going up there. I’ve never taken the ATV ride and I was curious if anyone else had been on it. You didn’t say it was a secret.”

  Dave and I exchanged glances.

  “Who was at the poker game?” I asked.

  “The usual suspects.” Steve smiled slightly. “I didn’t mean it that way. Or maybe I did. My crew was all there. Plus Rick, the guitar player, and a musician friend of his he brought along. That’s one of the reasons I wanted Dave to participate. I knew you were concerned about your sister falling off the boat, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to discover if my crew saw anything suspicious that night. Or if someone would admit to pushing Laurel, either intentionally or accidentally. Beer is an excellent accelerant in getting a confession.”

  Dave shrugged. “That wasn’t a half-bad idea. I wish you’d told me about it in advance.”

  Steve frowned. “You never gave me a chance. You insisted on returning to the hotel, remember.”