At trial, Brad pleaded the fifth on a lot of things but he did cop to breaking into my shop and taking my file box. He said he did it to retrieve the wedding license he’d taken out with Lisa Marie. He stopped short of admitting to arson, and the fire investigator ruled it ‘inconclusive’ so who knows?
Farrah and I managed to prevent Tank’s efforts to turn our building into a parking garage. We were stunned when a throng of local folks showed up to protest the condemnation order. It was the first time rampant development on Maui had ever been dealt a serious blow. Maybe at long last people here aren’t buying the sweet talk about how economic growth always trumps culture and history. Maybe they’re finally sick and tired of seeing everything our forefathers and foremothers held dear getting scraped away by bulldozers.
And Hatch? Well, that’s another story in itself. Come to find out he didn’t just up and quit the police force because he wanted to be a firefighter hero. Seems heartbreak and guilt played a big role in his decision. Once we both cast aside our need to BS each other, he told me the truth. And knowing the truth was a huge step in giving our relationship a chance.
From where I’m sitting now, it looks to me like a very good chance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are always a bunch of people who help get a book out. Some aren’t even aware of how much they helped. But, even at the risk of forgetting someone, I’m going to take a shot at naming a few names. Thanks to Deputy Chief (he’s probably chief by now) Mike Ciraulo for teaching me a thing or two about firefighting; and to Amy Roth for clearing up a question about the TSA and private aircraft. Also thanks to Marianne Gaertner for taking me up to the Kula lavender farm, and to Chef Bev Gannon of the Hali’imaile General Store for chatting with me about the area and for giving me a great reason to drive completely across the island just to have lunch. Closer to home, I’d like to thank local friends such as Bev Wake, Diana Paul, and Deb Migdalski who kept pestering me to “finish the book,” and not-so-close to home—but close in other ways—my friends Sue Cook and Wendy Lester with whom I share an interesting past. Also a big mahalo to my friend and fellow writer, Jackie Edwards aka Nora Barker, who did the final copyedit and usually offered to drive because she had the hybrid. Finally, a lifetime of thanks to my DH, Tom, who read draft after draft and never complained.
And, my warmest aloha to you, my readers. Without you, these hours at the computer would just be me whistling in the dark.
Also by JoAnn Bassett: MAI TAI BUTTERFLY, available at Amazon.com or in all e-book formats.
Maui Widow Waltz (Islands of Aloha Mystery Series) Page 27