The smoker was gone when I stepped outside, and I practically skipped to the water. I sat in the sand, arms wrapped around my bent knees and gave up my cares to God. After all, He was the only one strong enough to make sure I solved this mystery without joining Him any time soon. If He chose to call me home, then so be it, but I would do my best to find Mrs. Aldrich’s and Jamison’s killer as promised.
I stood and moved into the water, wading until it crested my knees. Warm silk caressed my skin. I stretched out my arms and lifted my face to heaven. Thank you, God, for a place such as this. Other than my beloved mountains, this was paradise.
Footsteps pounded behind me. I turned. Someone barreled into me, taking me into the dark sea.
Holding my breath, I flailed at the hands holding me under. He was going to drown me!
Think, Summer!
I doubled up my fist and hit him where it counted. No time for modesty. For good measure, I grabbed his crotch and pulled up. He sagged, and I fought my way free. Before I could get my feet firmly under me, he was staggering from the water.
“Hey!” I splashed after him. “Come back and fight like a man!” I giggled as adrenaline coursed through my body. I hated how my emotions betrayed me in a life or death situation. I either laughed or cried. I guess this time I was a comedian.
On the sand, my attacker stumbled away, leaving me to collapse. I thanked God for the self-defense classes Ethan had badgered me to take. I wouldn’t have known that grabbing a handful of private parts and tugging could be so effective.
My chest heaved as my lungs struggled to draw in air. I tried to remember any distinguishing features of the man, but came up with nothing but long pants, strong hands, and most likely a bruised ego. So much for a relaxing sit at the ocean’s side.
I pushed to my feet and made my way back to the cottage, thankful Ethan hadn’t returned home yet. My steps faltered. Why hadn’t he? He had said he was bringing dinner back.
I rushed inside and searched for my cell phone. Within seconds, I held my breath as it rang on the other end.
“Sorry, Babe. I got tied up talking to Joe.”
I released my pent up breathe at the sound of his voice. “I was worried.”
“I’m fine. I thought you were resting.”
“Couldn’t sleep, so I took a short walk on the beach.” I grimaced. Probably shouldn’t have said that.
He sighed. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“What are you and Joe talking about?” I plopped into a chair.
“Jamison. Seems the guy was mixed up in some pretty bad stuff. Did a lot of people wrong. He wasn’t the actual shark in the loaning operation, but rather a middle man who stiffed the boss.”
“How does this affect anyone here?”
“That’s what we need to find out.”
The plot thickened. I eyed the cigar box on the bed. Soon, I would have to dig through a dead woman’s thoughts and see whether she had found anything to help us.
Chapter Seventeen
“I am leaving on the next flight out of here!” Maryann Franklin tossed her fork to her plate with a clatter and stormed from the dining room.
Bruce leaped from his chair and bolted after her.
My hand paused with its bite of roll clutched in my fist. Should I follow?
Although the two were on my list of suspects, they stayed to themselves most of the time. Out of sight, out of mind, so they say. Before anyone could stop me, I shoved the last of my breakfast into my mouth and mumbled, “I’m going to make sure she’s okay,” before running out of the room.
“Summer.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Ethan, motioned my head for him to follow, and kept running. When the Franklins stopped suddenly, I did, too, and ducked behind a fake potted tree.
“I see you, Mrs. Banning.” Maryann rolled her eyes. “It’s no secret that Bruce and I have fought our entire sham of a honeymoon.” She took a deep shuddering breath.
“Can I help?” I stepped from my ridiculous hiding place.
“Not unless you can find the five thousand dollars my dear husband invested in a dead man!” She whirled and marched outside.
“Are you talking about Mr. Jamison?” I kicked off my flip flops, bent to retrieve them, and rushed after her.
“Yes.” She stopped fast enough for me to run into her. “His investment idea sounded wonderful, at first.” She dropped to a stone bench. “Five thousand dollars for a timeshare property on Maui.” She waved her arm. “Does this look like time share property to you?”
“The bed and breakfast?”
“Yes. Oh, Bruce will be so angry with me.” Sighing, she covered her face. “Mr. Jamison stiffed a lot of people. Us included.”
Ethan and Bruce joined us. Bruce sat beside his wife.
“Did y’all kill him?” I didn’t see any reason to beat around the bush.
“Of course not.” Bruce glowered. “Are you two seriously the only guests here that are not involved in this ridiculous scam?”
“Apparently so.” Ethan rubbed his chin then glanced toward the dining room. “At least most of us.”
What did that mean? I felt as if I were living an Agatha Christie story where the characters were knocked off one-by-one. “Has anyone called the police?”
“Isn’t Manano a cop?” Bruce smirked. “A poor excuse for one, anyway. This weekend was supposed to be a gathering of interested parties to determine who stayed when. The whole thing was a joke.”
I didn’t think timeshares worked that way, but what did I know? “Is that why you tried to kill yourself, Maryann?”
She shrugged. “We’ve lost everything. With Jamison dead, there’s no collecting now. Seems the dearly departed Jamison had no timeshare. He swindled people out of money in order to build some resort somewhere.”
“What do the Wahines say?”
“They’re innocent.” Bruce raked his fingers through his hair. “Had no idea any of this was going on. They just thought they were having a really productive week.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come on, Maryann. Going home is a great idea.”
Color me confused. I took their vacant seat and patted the bench for Ethan to join me. “What do you make of all this?”
“Sounds like we have a hotel full of people with a motive. Including your uncle.”
“What?” I jerked to face him.
“Your uncle said he came not only because you were in trouble, but because he wanted to check on a possible investment. I think this is the investment.”
My stomach sank. Surely Uncle Roy didn’t pay a chunk of money for a time share. What about his retirement? “Uncle Roy wouldn’t kill anyone.”
“No, I know he wouldn’t, but I think Roy needs to answer some questions.”
We waited until the others exited the dining room and fell into step beside them. Instead of branching off to our own cottage, Ethan and I followed them into theirs.
“Roy, we need to talk.” Ethan waved him to a chair.
“Yep, I’m guessing we do.” Uncle Roy ran his hands down the legs of his pants. “Have a seat, Eunice. You ain’t going to be happy about this.”
Her eyes bugged, but she did as she was told. “What did you do now?”
Ethan held up his hand. “Roy, what type of investment did you come to Maui for? We know it wasn’t only to check on Summer, you told us yourself.”
“I thought I could get a timeshare for me and the missus. Thought it would be nice to spend a month or so here every year.” Uncle Roy rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “Thank the good Lord I didn’t fork over any money. Told the fella I wasn’t going to until I’d taken a look for myself. He wasn’t happy, but he agreed.”
“I’m thinking you’re right.” I sagged onto the sofa. Thank goodness my uncle had a level head. Things could have ended very differently for my family.
“Well, that don’t make me mad,” Aunt Eunice said. “I knew all about it. Found the emails one day on the computer. Kn
ew it sounded too good to be true.”
“This puts you toward the top of the suspect list, if Manano finds out.” Joe shook his head. “Especially after Aunt Eunice chatted up Mrs. Aldrich, and she turned up dead.”
“I know. We’re in a pickle for sure.” Uncle Roy lifted his head. “Why do you think I haven’t said anything? I hoped by keeping my mouth shut, nobody would know of my involvement. I’m a shade embarrassed.”
“We might still be able to keep your name out of this.” Joe crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “It ought to be easy enough to keep Manano’s suspicions on Summer. The man isn’t the brightest pebble on the beach, and since my cousin can’t keep her nose out of trouble, she ought to cause enough upheaval for Manano to focus on her.”
The spider web continued to wind around, in and out, until I had no idea which end was up. The only thing I knew for sure was that folks involved in a false timeshare offer were turning up dead, and I didn’t want my uncle to be one of them.
“Unless Jamison had a list somewhere.” I chewed my nail. “He must have. Then, whoever killed him, is going down the list, getting rid of witnesses.”
“What if Manano has it?” April moved to stand next to Joe. “Or the killer?”
“We need to find it.” I glanced around the room at all the faces I loved, and prayed my passion for solving mysteries wouldn’t get any of them killed.
“You’re crazy.” Joe pushed away from the wall. “Manano has Jamison’s laptop. If there’s a list, it’s on there and you won’t have access to it.” He marched to the kitchen and opened the small refrigerator. “Why isn’t there any soda?”
“Probably because you drank it all?” I shook my head. “Maybe Jamison had a partner? I doubt the man was scamming people on his own. It seems like a large undertaking.”
Joe straightened. “That’s the smartest thing you’ve said in a long time.”
“Which part?” I frowned.
Ethan leaned to whisper in my ear. “I think he means the part about a partner.”
“A partner killing people.” Tingles shot up my spine faster than a rocket. I pushed him away so I could concentrate. “Stop whispering. It tickles.”
“That’s the idea.” He chuckled.
“You two lovebirds stop nuzzling,” Aunt Eunice scolded. “We have work to do.”
“And managed to get way off track.” Joe slammed the fridge. “We need to find another victim.”
“Alive, I hope. I’ll be right back.” I left and retrieved Susan’s mail, returning minutes later. “I found this under a bush earlier when a dog had Susan Woods’s mail. It’s a threat.” I handed it to Joe. “Maybe I should go talk to her.”
“Maybe Ethan should.” April giggled. “The woman seems to like him better.”
No way on earth would I let my husband be alone with her. Not for one little bit.
Ethan winked. “I think I’m up to the challenge.”
“No, you’re not.” I punched his arm. “Unless I go with you.”
“How about Ethan and I go?” Joe moved back to April’s side. “She definitely seems to relate more to men.”
“But then I won’t know what’s going on!”
“We’ll tell you.”
My nail went back in my mouth. “No, it needs to be somewhere I can eavesdrop. Something always gets left out when information is passed along secondhand.”
“I’m a cop, Summer.” Joe crossed his arms. “I think I can properly relay information.”
“Still.” There had to be a way. I rarely saw her at the meals, and occasionally on the beach. “We need to find out where she’s going tomorrow and follow her.”
“And how, Sherlock, do you propose we do that?” Joe smirked.
“We ask the Wahine’s if she’s rented a car or asked directions.” I grinned. “I’ll do it first thing in the morning. Then, we follow her. You two sashay up and start a conversation, while I pretend to be somewhere else mentally, and—”
Joe guffawed. “That shouldn’t be hard for you.”
I glared. “I will stay a few steps away and be engrossed in the scenery while actually listening to y’all. It’s a brilliant plan.” I dared any of them to disagree.
“I know where she’s going,” Aunt Eunice said, grinning like the Cheshire cat. “I heard that boy, David, ask her if she wanted to visit the seven pools. They’re taking the road to Hana.” That twisting, turning, hundred miles of one-lane road.
I couldn’t help but remember the last road we were on. The one where somebody tried to run me over.
Chapter Eighteen
“I want Ethan to drive.” I set the tour pamphlet on the hood of the van and stabbed at it with my index finger. “This says we should pick our best driver.” Not only that, but the warning of 600+ turns had me popping motion sickness pills and praying I could convince Joe to let me sit in the front seat.
“I haven’t driven the group this whole trip.” Uncle Roy crossed his arms.
“And you aren’t doing it today. Not on this road.” I plucked the keys from his hands and handed them to Ethan.
A few cars over, Susan climbed into a convertible with David Hatcher. If we didn’t leave right when they did, we might not see them again until they returned later that evening. “I’m sitting up front, unless y’all want me to get sick all over you, and we need to leave now.”
Everyone climbed into the van, and we pulled from the parking lot mere seconds after Susan. I really hoped they planned on sightseeing. According to the brochure, there were more things to see in a day along the road to Hana than there was time for. I grabbed the pamphlet from the hood and climbed into the front passenger seat, spreading the glossy brochure across my lap.
“Take Highway 36. It turns into 360.”
“What if Susan turns off?” Ethan sped up to get closer to her. “Do I turn or continue?”
“We do what she does.”
“Won’t she know we’re following her?” April asked from the middle row of seats.
I shrugged. “Just about everyone who comes to Maui takes this road and there’re places to stop everywhere. We won’t have to say anything. She doesn’t own the island.” I dug in my purse and located the Dramamine. “I suggest everyone take one of these.”
Joe grabbed the box and handed it around. “I’d like to come back to Hawaii someday, when I’m not trying to find a murderer or having to follow someone else’s schedule.”
I knew exactly how he felt. Being on my honeymoon and following someone who might intend me harm, was not my idea of a romantic getaway. I rested my hand on Ethan’s thigh. At least we were spending time together.
Almost immediately, the scenery took my breath away. Highway 360 was a cliff road, winding around a turquoise ocean. I wished we could have rented a convertible so I could hear the waves. Instead, I closed my eyes for a second, leaned my head back, and pretended.
“She’s stopping.” Ethan pulled the van over.
I opened my eyes to see mile marker six, then scanned the brochure. Oh, a bamboo forest. I scrambled from the van, grabbing my camera, and stepped aside while the others exited. Susan and David had already disappeared down a dirt path, and I was anxious to follow. “Aunt Eunice, can you hand me my backpack? The guide says to wear good shoes and bring water.”
“Do you have enough for everyone?” She tossed the bag to me.
“One for each.”
“I’ll wear it.” Ethan snatched the pack and slung it over his shoulders. “Let’s see what we can find.” He grabbed my hand and dragged me into something magical.
A mile from where we parked, we entered into a towering forest of bamboo. The breeze caused the stalks to brush against each other and whisper sweet nothings. At least, that’s what I imagined they said. I almost felt as if they called my name and tried to lure me into a fantasy. Sunlight dappled and winked through the swaying stalks. Before too long, our conversation became hushed, almost reverent. I imagined all types of things waiting for us arou
nd the bend, such as deranged killers, zombies, Susan and David in an embrace. I wasn’t sure which frightened me more.
Hushed words caused me to stop, halting Ethan, and I held up my hand for the others. I held a finger to my mouth and strained to hear. As carefully as possible, I parted the stalks and peered through.
“This is getting out of control.” Susan paced the path, waving her arms around as if a swarm of flies plagued her. “Because of one stupid decision, we’re all going down, unless we stop her from snooping around. I cannot have everything I’ve worked for taken from me.”
David held out his hands. “Settle down. It’s being taken care of. I promise.”
“That’s what you keep saying, but she’s still a thorn in my side!”
Mercy. Susan really wanted me out of the picture. My mouth dried up. I let the stalks fall back into place and sidled up to Ethan. “I think she’s going to have me killed.”
He hugged me against him and kissed the top of my head. “I won’t let that happen.”
“You might not be able to prevent it.” I straightened. “Let’s go, y’all. No need to be secret now. I’ve heard all I need to.” At least for the time being.
A cloud passed over the sun. No matter how many crimes I tried to solve by snooping where I shouldn’t, it never ceased to amaze me that people might actually want me dead. After my prior experiences, what would they try on the island of Maui?
Drench me in blood for the sharks and barracudas? Leave me stranded in the middle of the ocean in a life raft with a slow leak? I shook my head, trying to stop my overactive imagination. I wanted to enjoy my honeymoon, not worry about what waited around the next bend.
We continued our hike through the bamboo forest. The beauty and awe of the place did a lot for raising my spirits. God truly shined when he made these islands.
When we reached the van, Ethan helped me inside and then moved to get behind the wheel. A car careened around the corner. Ethan flattened himself against the door until the reckless driver disappeared around the next corner.
4 Maui Macadamia Madness Page 10