"She's a waitress, Keanu," Terry snarled. "A server. One of our servers, in fact. You would have been better off with the hula girl you dated before. Tammy, wasn't it?"
There was silence again, and I wondered if Keanu might be struggling for composure. He'd mentioned that they'd argued quite a bit recently but never told me about what. I'd assumed it had been over the restaurant, but now it didn't take a soothsayer for me to figure out that I was the main topic of their conversation.
"Son," Terry went on. "I know you feel like you're infatuated with this girl, but there are a lot of things that don't add up here. I saw her filling the ketchup containers the other day. Maybe she put Tabasco sauce in there for a joke. Plus, we have the recent thefts to consider. I really think—"
"Well don't," Keanu snapped, his voice sharp as a razor's edge.
I'd never heard him speak like that before and certainly not to his parents. I shrank back in the far corner of the closet, squatting down underneath the shelves as he continued.
"Carrie's no thief, and she would never fill the containers with Tabasco sauce as some type of sick prank. She's been through a lot in her life. She's the most caring and warmest person I've ever met—except for Kara."
My eyes started to water as I listened. Keanu had always spoken with such pride of the older sister whom he'd idolized and to be compared to her was the highest compliment. She'd been barely out of her teens when she'd moved to Oahu, an attempt to get out from under Terry's thumb and live with her boyfriend. A picture of the beautiful young woman graced one of the walls in the upstairs office, and her younger brother was almost an exact clone. Kara had long, flowing dark hair and those same incredible ocean blue eyes, with a smile that would steal anyone's heart.
The quiet was ominous and deafening. If I'd had more room, I would have squirmed with discomfort. This was an extremely personal family moment that I didn't want to be privy to.
Terry's voice was gruff. "Don't you dare compare her to your sister."
"It's the truth." Keanu said calmly. "Nothing's really changed since then, has it? You refuse to give Carrie a chance, just like you never gave Steve a chance. Kara loved him, Dad. It broke her heart that you didn't even try to get along with him. Why are you so set on doing this again?"
"Keanu don't," Ava implored. "Please."
"You're too young to know what you want," Terry replied. "Plus, you could do so much better. What if this girl is just using you? She knows you're going to inherit both businesses someday."
The words bit into me like a snake's venom and were just as painful. It took every bit of restraint on my part to keep from storming out of the closet and telling Terry straight to his face what he could do with both of his precious businesses.
"Don't do this, Dad," Keanu warned. "Don't drive me away. I'm twenty-six years old, and I know exactly what I want. At the top of the list is Carrie."
Ohmigod. His words warmed me from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.
"Keanu?" Poncho's voice came suddenly from below. "Is Carrie up there with you?"
I bit into my lower lip. Damn it. The good chef was about to blow my cover. Nice going, Ponch.
I heard someone walking across the wooden floor, and then Keanu spoke from a further distance away. "I haven't seen her. Why?"
"We were talking, and she went to take a phone call," Poncho explained. "I must have missed seeing her come back out. She forgot to take her cookies with her."
"She couldn't have gone far," Keanu said. "She has to leave for her show soon." There was the sound of footsteps again, and his voice became louder. "If we're done for now, I'd like to go find my girlfriend."
"Just a minute," Terry snarled. "What do you mean she's at the top of your list? What exactly are your intentions with this server?"
I shivered inwardly. The way Terry said the word made me feel dirty and vile, almost as if he was afraid I might give his son a disease.
Keanu must have shared my thoughts. "Don't talk about her like that, Dad. Her name is Carrie. Stop referring to her as our hired help, a server, or someone who's out to ruin the restaurant. She's my girlfriend. I'm crazy about her, and you need to get used to that."
"What does that mean? Are you in love with this girl?" Terry wanted to know.
Keanu's answer came without hesitation. "Yes, I am."
My heart fluttered wildly at his words. Emotions of both joy and shock whipped through me like a strong ocean breeze and left me breathless. For a moment, I forgot where I was and staggered backward, my head connecting with the shelf. I let out an oof as pain thundered through my head.
The closet door was immediately jerked open. I was met by the unwelcome sight of Terry's angry eyes, which smoldered away like an inferno as they stared hotly into mine.
I was busted.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Hello, Carrie," Terry greeted me sourly. "What a surprise. Is this the new break room? I hope we're not interrupting anything."
Keanu came into view behind his father and stood there, watching me with a puzzled expression. "Carrie, what are you doing in there?"
It was difficult to look into those gorgeous eyes and explain myself, especially with his father leering at me. Meekly, I emerged from my hideaway. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to listen in. It was just that—um—"
"Maybe you were looking for some extra cash up here?" Terry placed his hands on his hips and continued to stare me down. "Perhaps you haven't made enough in tips lately to satisfy you?"
Keanu's face suffused with anger. "Dad, don't talk to her like that!"
Terry whirled around to face his son. "I think I have a right to know why this—server—was in my office eavesdropping on a private conversation."
"I didn't mean to listen in. That wasn't my intention." My face burned with humiliation as both men continued to stare at me, along with Ava. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. "I'm sorry." I ran across the floor and flew down the stairs.
"Carrie, wait!" Keanu yelled after me.
I'd had a good head start and no intention of stopping. This had to be one of the most humiliating moments of my life, and I just wanted to run as far away from it as possible. I was through the kitchen in a flash and almost knocked Poncho over in the process. I muttered a quick "Sorry!" and headed out the patio entrance, where I almost collided with a couple taking in a view of the ocean as they enjoyed their mai tais.
I continued running down the path that led to the ocean and vaguely recalled the last time I had done this—right after I'd found Hale's dead body. Back then I was sick to my stomach, terrified, and overwhelmed. Not much had changed since that incident three months ago, except for one constant thought that kept running through my head.
What will Keanu think of me now?
I was busy slipping my way through the sand when my arm was grabbed from behind. I whirled around and found myself staring directly into Keanu's puzzled face. He didn't look angry, but his expression was somber.
He spoke softly. "What was all that about?"
I didn't reply right away—first, because my chest was about to explode from the sprint I had just undertaken. I was not runner material and never had been. Second, I didn't have an answer for him.
Keanu waited for me to catch my breath. It occurred to me that he always seemed to be waiting for me in one way or another. Waiting to see how far I would take our relationship, waiting to pick me up or bring me somewhere, waiting for me to do something stupid, like what had just happened. His patience knew no boundaries where I was concerned, and to hear him profess his love for me had shaken me to the core, although it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Those eyes that bore into mine now—deep set with their vivid shade of blue rivaled only by the ocean—were my final undoing. I began to cry.
Keanu put his arms around me and stroked my hair soothingly. "Don't cry, Carrie. Everything's all right."
Embarrassed, I hiccupped back a sob. "How can it be? I'm a walking disaster. I wasn't trying to listen in on your co
nversation, honest."
He pulled back so that he could study my face and wiped my tears away with the pad of his thumb. "Will you at least tell me why you were hiding in the closet?"
Exhausted, I pressed my head against his rock-hard chest as his arms went around me protectively. I could have stayed like this forever. "I was snooping."
His body went rigid against mine. "Gee, that's a new one."
I took his sarcasm as a hopeful sign. "I think I have an idea who might be taking the money from the restaurant. Remember the time you knew I'd been looking at the employee files after Hale died?"
Keanu sighed heavily. "Carrie, not again."
I stared up into his face. "I know your father thinks it was me who filled the ketchup holders with Tabasco sauce. To be honest, I was also worried he might think I took the money."
He caressed my cheek with his fingers. "Don't worry. I'll set him straight."
"It won't matter because he won't listen. Your father doesn't like me. He—" I bit into my lower lip. "He thinks I'm beneath you."
Keanu placed his hands firmly on my shoulders. "I don't care what my father thinks. You are beneath nobody. Understand? No one is better than anyone else on this earth." He stared out at the ocean. "Dad means well, but he doesn't know how to relate to people anymore. He's kind of shut himself off from the world since Kara died."
His words made sense. Everyone had a different mechanism for handling grief, and I was determined not to pass judgment. Still, it seemed like Terry had no problem passing it my way though.
Keanu reached for my hand. "Come on." We started back up the path slowly, and then he cocked his head toward me. "You think Coral took the money, don't you?"
My jaw dropped. "How did you know?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "Because I've been thinking the same thing. Don't tell anyone, but we've installed a camera inside the restaurant. It's not one that can be easily spotted by the human eye. So we may have our answer in a day or two."
I squeezed his hand tightly. "Just make sure you put your hand over it so your parents don't catch us kissing again."
He roared with laughter and hugged me close. "How did I ever live without you?"
My sentiments exactly. I looked up and caught sight of Sybil standing on the Loco Moco's patio. When she spotted us, she ran down the path in our direction.
"Carrie!" She was a pretty girl, with shoulder-length dark blonde hair and enormous green eyes set in a slim face. "Tad's out front waiting for you."
Cripes. I'd forgotten it was time to leave for the show. I pulled out my phone, and sure enough, there was a text message from Tad. Your chauffeur awaits. At this rate, we'd barely make it to the Hana Hou on time.
"Thanks, Sybil." I released Keanu's hand reluctantly. "But what about you? You've been here since early this morning. You must be exhausted."
Sybil shook her head. "Nah. It's been so slow all day I don't feel like I've done much. Plus, I can use the money…although some tips would make it even better, you know?"
She turned to go back inside the café, but I laid a hand on her arm. "Have you got a second?"
"Sure." She looked wide-eyed from me to Keanu. "What's up?"
I probably should have cleared this with Keanu first but felt certain he'd have my back. "You go to Aloha Lagoon Community College, right?"
She smiled proudly. "Yeah, I'm in my second year, and then I'm hoping to transfer to the University of Hawaii next fall. I'm majoring in psychology."
"That's great."
Keanu watched me, arms folded over his broad chest. It was obvious by the grin he flashed that he knew what I was up to. That gave me the courage to proceed. "Do you ever see Coral there?"
She made a face. "Yeah, I see her every once in a while but do my best to avoid her."
Keanu seemed intrigued. "Why is that?"
"She worked in the school's cafeteria for a while and then got fired. There's talk that she—" Sybil's face reddened, and she stared out toward the ocean. "I shouldn't be saying this."
I decided to help her out. "Were there rumors that she was stealing?"
Sybil hung her head. "I don't want to cause trouble for her at the café or make her mad, so please don't say it was me." She glanced at Keanu with alarm. "I like this job and want to keep it. At least until I know for sure if I'm able to transfer or not."
"There's nothing for you to worry about," Keanu assured her. "I won't tell my parents you said anything. Scout's honor."
Sybil turned back to me, her chin jutted forward. "Coral has a mean streak. Oh, and by the way, she hates you."
That was encouraging. "Why?"
She cut her eyes to Keanu and gave me a sly smile. "Three guesses."
If the entire situation hadn't been so serious, I might have laughed out loud. It all seemed so petty and juvenile. I'd only just turned twenty-five myself but already felt decades older than the other girls.
My phone beeped. "That must be Tad, getting impatient." I smiled gratefully at Sybil. "Maybe we can talk more later."
"Sure thing," she said and hurried back inside the café.
Keanu gave me a light kiss. "Knock 'em dead tonight, baby. I'll be thinking about you."
"Thanks for being so wonderful."
He grinned at me in a teasing manner. "It's just part of my job."
I laughed and hurried around the side of the building to where Tad was parked, drumming his fingers impatiently against the steering wheel of his white convertible.
"I was about ready to come in there and lift you over my shoulder like some evil caveman." Tad watched as I fastened my seat belt, and then he placed the car into drive. "You know Jeff hates it when anyone is late."
"You have permission to blame me. I'm really sorry, but there's a lot of stuff going on at the Loco Moco." I relayed to Tad what had happened with Randolph.
Tad clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Oh, I already heard, love. The entire island knows what's going on. So, tell me, who's the unlucky server who delivered the tainted food to the Kona man?"
I raised my hand and waved it in the warm wind.
"Shut up!" Tad slammed on the brakes and nearly missed hitting the back of a car that had stopped for a traffic light in front of us. "What is it with you and dead bodies, girlfriend?"
I shrugged. "Just lucky, I guess."
Tad raised an eyebrow at me as the light turned green. "I bet this doesn't bode well with the boyfriend's parents either. How bad was business today?"
"Let's say there wasn't any." My phone pinged, and I stared down to see I had a message from Vivian.
Call me as soon as possible!
My stomach lurched. Had Vivian gotten worse? Did she need me to take her to the hospital? What if someone had poisoned her too? What if—Oh for crying out loud, Care. Your imagination is running away with you again.
I pressed the Speed Dial button with Vivian's name, and she instantly picked up.
"Thank God."
"What's going on? Are you okay?"
Her voice was low. "I'm at the police station, on my way out."
Fear jolted through my entire body. "Why? What's going on?"
Her breath caught, and she sounded like she was trying to hold back a sob. "Oh my God, Care, you're going to hate me."
I couldn't stand it any longer. "Viv, please tell me what's going on."
"As soon as I left the Loco Moco, I got a phone call from Detective Ray, asking me to come down to the station." Vivian sighed heavily into the phone. "It seems that Terry and Ava gave Ray all the employee phone numbers when they were in earlier. So, you know what that means."
"He already questioned me," I said, a bit defensively.
"Yeah, well, he's going to be bothering you again, mark my words. And it's all thanks to me and my big mouth."
The day had already been a long one and was nowhere near being over with, so I struggled to keep the irritation out of my tone. "Will you please tell me what happened?"
"Det
ective Ray wanted to know what kind of contact I had with Randolph the other day when he came to the café," Vivian explained. "I mentioned how I'd brought the ketchup out to him and about the hot sauce incident. Then I told him how Randolph had asked for you this morning. I specifically made it known that you did not want to go to his room." Her voice quivered. "I thought I was helping, honest."
Tad looked over at me and rolled his eyes. "God, that girl can go on and on all day if you let her."
"I heard that," Vivian yelled.
I moved the phone away from my ear. "Okay. What happened when you told Ray that I went to Randolph's room?"
"Ray wanted to know the exact time," Vivian said. "So, I pulled my phone out and practically flung it at the good detective so he could check himself. The guy was really starting to bug me, you know?" She sniffed. "I forgot, Carrie. Honest to God, I forgot all about it, or I wouldn't have let him see the phone!"
"Forgot about what?" I was thoroughly confused now.
Vivian paused. "The text that you sent me. Remember when you left the room and asked me to have the coffee ready so you could bring it back to Randolph right away?"
"Of course I remember." Realization set in, and I gasped. "Hang on." I put Vivian on hold while I checked the text from earlier today. There it was, staring me in the face. I'd even put the message in caps to show how aggravated I'd been.
It's a wonder no one has killed this guy yet.
"Care?" Vivian's worried voice filtered through the phone. "Are you still there?"
My throat tightened. Oh man. Detective Ray couldn't possibly think it was me. Or did he? We'd been down this road before. If only—
"Carrie!" Vivian shouted.
Good grief. "It's okay, Viv." My phone pinged to let me know I had a new voicemail. "I appreciate you telling me this, but I'm sure everything will be fine."
Vivian sounded unconvinced. "I'm so sorry. I'd forgotten all about it until he pointed out the message. Swear to God."
"It's okay," I repeated. "Listen—Tad and I are at the theater now, and we're late. I'll call you after the show, all right? Get some rest."
Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Boxed Set Volume III (Books 7-9) Page 46