Shadows Deepen

by Mirren Hogan

  Flynn didn’t even have the energy to smirk. If the woman knew what was good for her, she’d leave Tony there. Asa wasn’t exactly his favorite person in the world at the moment either. The man probably just thought he was doing his job, but that didn’t make him feel any better.

  “Is Makani here?” Flynn’s voice was tight and sounded as tired as he felt.

  “Yeah. She and a friend got some photos off your camera, so your statement is sound.” Asa led Flynn back to the cage where personal effects were kept. “You’re lucky my little cousin is smart, or you might have been stuck in OCCC until the DNA came back on the blood.”

  “You couldn’t have held me for that long without charging me with something.” Who knew his unfinished law degree would come in useful for something? He followed Asa in silence then, too tired to think, too worried about his sister to want to. Too many disturbing thoughts ran through his mind. He didn’t want to think about the possibilities.

  “True. That’s why pakalolo would have found its way into your lower intestine during a body cavity search. But, lucky for you, that’s not gonna happen now.” Asa patted his shoulder and leaned over the desk, handing the bag of Flynn’s personal effects over. “So, just sign all this, and you’re out just in time for an afternoon quickie with my cousin.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal,” Flynn said dryly. Not the quickie, that sounded good. He signed the form where Asa indicated and grabbed his stuff. “I’d say thanks, but you know I wouldn’t mean it. You should have been out looking for my sister.”

  “Sorry, man. We’ve got people checking things out right now. Just had to follow the leads where they went. But I know where to find you, if we turn anything up, all right?” He handed Flynn his things and led him back out of the holding block to where Makani and Annie were waiting.

  “Yeah, I won’t leave the country.” Unless he got deported. He shoved his wallet and his phone into the back of his pants. Rounding the corner, he saw Makani and a blonde he didn’t know. He felt as though he hadn’t seen Makani in a year. She looked exhausted.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey yourself, Fish.” She smiled and stood, closing the distance between them. Makani looked Flynn up and down, before saying “Thank God, you didn’t have to become someone’s bitch.”

  “Who says I didn’t,” he said wearily.

  She grabbed his hand and squeezed tight. “Flynn, this is Annie. She’s the one who got the memory card out and the photos together.”

  He nodded to Annie. “I guess I owe you my thanks then.”

  “Just buy me a beer.” Annie shrugged.

  “How’s my camera?”

  “Not toast, but it’s evidence, for the time being.”

  Flynn groaned and looked at Makani. “Really? I won’t see it again for months, will I?”

  “It depends on where and in what condition they find your sister and her family.” She looked up apologetically. “But at least we got everything you’ve done up until now.”

  “I should call my mother.” He dreaded the idea of that conversation. “But maybe food first. Then you can tell me why you called me Fish.” He managed a wan smile.

  “Yeah . . . food is a good idea. Let’s go! Keep in touch, Asa!” Makani waved and Flynn let her pull him by the hand out the large doors and down the steps. She didn’t even look back to make sure Annie was following. As soon as they were at the jeep, she kissed him hard on the lips. He put his arms around her. He must smell pretty bad by now, but if she didn’t mind then he didn’t.

  For a long while they stood like that, holding each other close. He could feel her heart pounding, her breath on his neck. He would have stayed like that all day if he hadn’t heard Annie clear her throat.

  “I hate to interrupt, but there are monsters out there.”

  Flynn smirked and looked down at Makani. “She knows? What did you tell your cousin?”

  “I didn’t say anything to Asa. He’s not gonna get it until he sees it up close and personal. Annie, though—she’s paranoid enough to understand that it’s dangerous.”

  “I heard that,” Annie said, leaning against the side of the jeep. “I’m not paranoid, I’m just careful. You’d be careful too if you had an ex-boyfriend who stalked you.”

  Flynn looked from Annie back to Makani as she slowly disengaged herself from him. Flynn raised an eyebrow at her. No doubt they’d get the full story when they were alone. He kept a hold of her hand for a few moments longer, only letting go at the last moment.

  “Let’s find food, and then hunker down for a little bit. The coffee is finally wearing off.” Makani yawned and started fumbling for her keys.

  Flynn climbed into the jeep, buckled up and closed his eyes, partly because he was exhausted and partly to avoid thinking about her driving.

  “Okay,” he heard Makani say, “I’m dying for an omelet. Koa Pancake House, since it’s not too far from here.” They sped east and started toward Kapiolani boulevard. “They’ve also got really good coffee. Oddly, the pancakes aren’t that awesome.”

  Flynn chuckled softly and opened his eyes a crack. “Great. One night in there and you’re trying to poison me.”

  “They’re not that bad. Especially drowned in chocolate sauce,” Annie commented from the back seat.

  “That sounds like a heart attack on a plate.” Flynn smirked.

  “Live fast, die young.”

  “No thanks,” Flynn said in her direction. “I don’t plan on going any time soon.” He gave Makani a ‘where did you find this woman?’ expression that she probably didn’t see because she was driving.

  “After the hell I’ve gone through to keep you alive? No, you’re not allowed to die. Ever!” They pulled into the parking structure, and Makani actually bothered to lock the steering wheel. It was a busy building, on a busy street. A lot of cars were stolen, and jeeps were in demand for spare parts.

  The Original Koa Pancake House was old, dark and staffed by small, round women in jolly plaid muumuus. Most of the tables were full, tourists and locals alike coming and going. On the walls, local celebrities, sumo wrestlers and Alex O’Loughlin stared down from glossy autographed head shots and polaroids taken while they were eating. They got a table quickly, and Makani didn’t even bother opening the menu.

  “This is more touristy than the place we met. My bad Hawaiian shirt would be right at home.” Flynn picked up the menu and looked at it, although he didn’t take anything in. “Can you recommend anything?” He was too tired for his brain to make such a momentous decision as what to eat.

  “Either the Denver or R and D. They do good eggs here. I think they put pancake batter in it to make it fluffy.” Makani closed her eyes and yawned, leaning her head against Flynn’s shoulder. “I could fall asleep right here, but I’m starving now.”

  “Why are you tired?” he chided teasingly. “You were in your own bed all night. Try spending the night in a cell with tattooed Tony. I don’t know if he wanted to eat me or . . . ” He grimaced. “Right now, I don’t care what I eat, as long as I eat. Maybe I should have something I can suck through a straw.”

  “Or get an IV line?” She laughed quietly. The waitress came by, tapping a pencil against her pad. “Hi, Aunty! Can we get two R and D’s, one with pancakes, the other with wheat toast, two cups of coffee. Annie, what are you getting?”

  “Coffee and chocolate pancakes,” Annie replied, back to her curt replies.

  “You might need an IV after that,” Flynn quipped, softly enough so the waitress wouldn’t hear.

  “Nothing wrong with chocolate and coffee.” Annie grinned. “The two major food groups, right, Maka?”

  “Actually, it’s rice and spam. We’re in Hawaii, remember?” Makani shook her head. “Chocolate is best when it’s served warm over a hot body.” Her eyes flicked over Flynn for a second, and she smiled a secret smile.

  Flynn gave her a bemused look. “I’m sure it does. That makes more sense than spam. I didn’t know that anyone actually ate the s
tuff?” He grimaced. “That’s way worse than Vegemite.”

  “No, it’s not! You’ve obviously never eaten a musubi at a football game. Or had spam and rice with shoyu and Portuguese sausage. Grandma used to do the neatest stuff with spam.” Makani twisted her lips into a pout and looked around the table. “I’m surrounded by haoles! Help!”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s not real food,” Flynn insisted. “At least Vegemite is a byproduct of beer production. It’s a win-win thing.”

  “You’re both mad.” Annie rested her elbows on the table and chewed her gum. “The best food is cheese fondue. There’s nothing like it.”

  “That’s true,” Flynn said sarcastically. “There’s nothing like it. That’s a good thing, though.”

  “Fondue makes no sense. It’s fancy Cheese-Wiz!”

  “Nothing wrong with Cheese-Wiz,” Annie retorted.

  “Well, if you don’t like real food,” Makani shot back, “then sure.”

  “Real food is for the weak,” Annie replied. “Give me processed crap any day.”

  “I always said you were the crazy one.” Makani leaned back and let the waitress put the food down, immediately grabbing her fork and pulling the omelet open. Taking a bite, she covered her mouth with her hand and said, “Now this is food!”

  “Each to their own.” Annie shrugged before digging into her chocolate on chocolate pancakes.

  Flynn shook his head and started eating. He was on the lookout for spam now, so he could eat around it. Although he was hungry enough to eat it without complaint. The meal was huge, but he made short work of it before washing everything down with coffee. He felt more energized with something substantial in his stomach.

  “See? Told you it was good!” Makani dipped her toast in the Spanish sauce left on her plate. “Annie, what are you doing tomorrow night?”

  She shrugged. “Dunno, why?” Somehow, she’d eaten all of her pancakes and drunk her coffee and still had her gum in her mouth.

  “Dinner at my place. Whole family’s gonna be there. Wanna be a buffer for Flynn? You can distract my mom and dad from grilling him.” She smiled, and gripped his thigh. “You might have fun!”

  “As long as they don’t assume I’m your girlfriend, like last time. It took me weeks to live that down. Every time I saw anyone in your family, they’d look at me funny.”

  Flynn was struggling not to laugh, although imagining them as girlfriends was interesting. “If that was true, could I have watched?” he teased. “Or better yet, joined in.”

  Annie rolled her eyes.

  “Typical male . . . ” Makani poked him in the side. “I already told you, I don’t share.” She made a face and stood up, stretching hard enough for something to pop. “Now, I’m frickin’ tired! Flynn, shall we get rid of Annie and go back to bed?”

  “I heard that, you know.” Annie blew a bubble, popped it and got to her feet. “Some of us have real work to do anyway. Let’s go.”

  Flynn dragged himself up. “Bed sounds good. Let’s do it.”

  “Before or after we sleep?”

  “Both.” Flynn grinned.

  They paid the tab and started up to the parking structure. The jeep, thankfully, was still where they’d left it. Flynn watched as Makani kicked the side in greeting.

  He climbed in and buckled up. He was looking forward to sleeping, but he’d have to call his mother first. He was dreading that. She must know by now that Emma and the terrors were missing. Hopefully his parents weren’t on a plane on the way out here to help look for them. The last thing they needed was more victims, or potential victims, getting in the way.

  It was a short drive from the boulevard to Annie’s place. Makani practically kicked her out of the jeep. “Six, tomorrow night! Don’t wear the gay pride shirt, please!”

  “Spoil sport.” Annie popped a bubble in their direction and stalked off, past her ancient Triumph motorbike and into her apartment building.

  “Okay, where did you dig her up?” Flynn sounded amused. Makani did know some interesting people. Perhaps he should be careful in thinking that, in case people thought of him that way.

  “What? We went to school together. Annie’s fun!” Makani backed out of the driveway and nearly ran over a group of tourists. Apparently, in their country, it was fine for pedestrians to not watch where they were going. “She’s one of the few girls who can hang with me—when I can get her out of the city.”

  He nodded. Leaning his head back against the seat, he closed his eyes and let the thrum of the engine and the sounds of the city lull him. It didn’t occur to him to ask whose house they were going to. As long as he could sleep, he didn’t care. After that, he’d try to join the search to find his sister. He should be helping now, but he was so tired. To the sound of the old engine, he dozed off.

  “Hey . . . hey, handsome. We’re home.” He felt Makani nuzzle gently against the stubble on his cheek and kiss him. She unclicked her seatbelt, and twined her fingers with his.

  “Mmm, no . . . ” he muttered. “I was having the nicest dream. I was being driven around the island by a hot woman in a beat up old jeep.” He opened his eyes a crack. “If I’m still dreaming, don’t pinch me. I don’t want to wake up.”

  Makani smiled and kissed him one more time. “Come on. You’re gonna have a stiff neck if we stay here. And a sunburn.” She got out and moved to his side, tugging his arm gently.

  “Better stiff somewhere else,” he muttered, smiling. He let her drag him out. “But sunburn would be bad.” He put his arm around her and squeezed her while they walked to the door. This felt so natural, so normal, as if they’d done it a million times already.

  They walked into Makani’s house, and she sat them down on the comfy ancient couch. She snuggled into his arms and sighed. “Much as I would rather hide from the world . . . Do you want to talk to your parents about this?”

  “Yeah.” He sat forward and tugged his phone out of his pocket. Switching it on, he checked the time. “They’re three hours behind . . . or twenty-one hours ahead, depending on how you look at it. Either way, they’ll be up.”

  He checked the call log. “Crap, seventeen missed messages. One was ten minutes ago. I didn’t hear it ring.” He must have been asleep. He should have put it on vibrate, but he probably wouldn’t have felt it either. He pressed reply, grimaced at Makani and listened while the phone rang.

  “Hello? Flynn?” His mother sounded exhausted.

  “Yeah Mum, it’s me. How’s things?” He moved the phone away from his ear as his mother’s voice came high-pitched and loud through the line.

  “How do you think things are? Your sister is missing, my granddaughters are missing and all anyone can tell me is that you were arrested for something to do with it—”

  “I wasn’t arrested, Mum—”

  “And you didn’t call. I thought you’d get one phone call? Why didn’t you call?”

  “You would have been asleep, Mum —”

  “Asleep? How could I sleep when my babies are on the other side of the world, with goodness knows what happening to them?”

  “I’m fine, Mum —”

  “You’re fine? What about Emma and the babies?”

  “I don’t know, Mum—” The sounds of sobbing came from the other end of the phone.

  Flynn looked at Makani in despair. “Mum, I’m sure it’s fine. Their SUV probably broke down and they missed their flight, that’s all. They’re probably at the airport now, trying to get back—”

  “They would have called me!”

  “Mum, calm down. Maybe they just got too busy. They’ll turn up. And I’ll let you know if I hear anything, okay?”

  “I should come up there!”

  “No, Mum, I’ve got things covered at this end. Just—get some rest and I’ll call you later, okay?” He heard her sniff and blow her nose.

  “Okay. But make sure you do too!”

  “I will, Mum, bye.” He hung up the phone and sighed. “She’s a tad upset,” he said redundantly.
/>
  “Just a tad.” Makani shook her head, lips quirked to the side. “I like the fact that no one seems too concerned about your brother-in-law being missing. Do you think they might just be on a tourist mis-adventure? Y’know, stayed an extra couple days, went island hopping on a chartered boat? Something silly like that?”

  “Knowing them, it’s pretty likely. One of the terrors probably batted her eyelashes and they changed their plans. Mum was right though, they would have called. Unless they’re out of range?” He looked at her questioningly. She’d know better than he would if Hawaii had phone black spots.

  “It’s possible. Unless they’ve got satellite phones.” Makani reached for her own phone and started scrolling through numbers. “I know the harbor masters for Kaka’ako and Ala Wai. A lot of commercial charters come out of there. I’ll shoot off a couple messages and hope they’ve got something. What’s their last name, now?”

  “Mackenzie, but wouldn’t the police have checked?” Maybe they’d been too busy haranguing him to get to that. So much for innocent until proven guilty. “Sorry, please do.” He sighed and leaned against the back of the couch. His eyes closed, but he felt and heard her moving beside him. She was the only thing keeping him awake and sane right now.

  “Hmmm, I’m sure they did. But sometimes, they don’t always ask the right questions. Or the right boats. I’ve shot off four separate emails. The names of every boat man I know was included in them, and someone’s bound to respond. That’s done. Let’s get some sleep while we wait, okay?” She put her phone down and laid her hand against Flynn’s neck and across his chest, her own eyes nearly closed in exhaustion.

  “Are you going to make me get up to go to bed?” he muttered, smiling although his eyes stayed shut. “I’m not sure I can.” Instead, he lay down sideways on the couch and pulled her down beside him. That was all it took before they slipped into sleep.