The couch in Winston Hanamotos living room replaced the long blank leader on the TV-screen. A few seconds afterwards, Winston, himself, stepped before the camera and made himself comfortable on the couch.
***
“I suppose the police will be the first ones to view this tape.” Winston Hanamoto spoke in a calm voice, which seemed to lack its customary high pitch. He had removed his thick glasses, which were sitting on the coffee table in front of him next to a heavy caliber automatic and a water glass full of pale yellow liquid. His hair was neatly combed. His necktie was straight and in place. The suit jacket he was wearing seemed to indicate he was getting ready to go out, perhaps to dinner, perhaps for an evening on the town. There was no sign of the pens which usually adorned his shirt pocket, now visible behind the unbuttoned jacket.
“Believe me, I had no intention of killing Charlotte Dyer. All she had to do was to open the safe, but she insisted she didnt know the combination. But I knew better. Id never even intended to let her know who I was. Thats why I wore a face mask.” Winston paused and reached for the water glass. Sipping at it, he made a face.
“I know you wont believe this,” he said, holding the glass out toward the viewer. “Ive never tasted alcohol before. But I thought this was an occasion when it would be worth trying. After all, this is something of a celebration.” He took another sip then, shaking his head, said, “I cant see Ive missed much.”
Placing the glass down on the table, he went on, “Lets see. Where was I? Oh, yes. When I found the states loan money was missing, it wasnt hard for me to figure out who had taken it. And I knew where the money was, in Morton Dyers home safe. With Dyer away on the mainland, I planned on paying Charlie a visit. New Years Eve seemed as good a night as any, but I hadnt planned on her being out celebrating. Id intended on going by her house a lot earlier the same evening, but she wasnt home. I called and called. Finally, around three, she answered. I hung up and took off immediately, before I could change my mind. All I could think about was the million dollars sitting there waiting for me, and the eighteen-sixtynine Lincoln invert which was the best bargain Id seen in years.”
Hank and Corky looked at each other, then at Kay, who smiled knowingly and waved them back to the screen.
“Id planned on knocking and giving some kind of phony explanation to get her to open the door. Looking back at it, I must have been kind of crazy to think I could do that. Long ago, Morton told me Charlie was terrified of burglars. With him off to the Mainland, she wasnt very likely to open the door to someone wearing a face mask. But I was lucky. Or maybe unlucky. Because the door was unlocked when I got there. I went up the stairs and found her sitting in her bedroom watching an old black and white movie.”
Winston paused, reached for the tumbler, took a longer sip this time. No grimace followed. Instead, a look of something like satisfaction spread across his face when he resumed his narrative. “Ive never seen anyone so terrified. She was petrified. Funny, but right then I had a real feeling of power. I had that gun with me,” Winston pointed to the automatic on the coffee table, “but I think the face mask scared her more than the gun. I told her to come downstairs with me and to open the safe. I knew it was in the front room somewhere, and I was depending on her to find it.
“She was so scared, I almost believed her when she told me she didnt know the combination. But when she kept insisting, I lost my temper. I made her get up, and she kept saying she didnt know it. Thats when I struck out at her. I didnt even intend to hit her, but somehow I connected. It wasnt a hard blow. Hardly more than a tap. But she fell over and hit her head on the lamp stand. I was sure she wasnt badly hurt. But she was. She was unconscious. I rubbed her hands. I tried to revive her. I did what I could. But it wasn't enough. It wasnt long before I realized she was dead. Just like that. One minute she was alive. The next she was dead. And there was barely a mark on her.”
His eyes, which until then had been fixed on the camera, dropped. His voice was sounding more agitated, and again he reached for the tumbler and took another sip.
“Im not sure how long I stayed there looking at her. Then I snapped out of it, ran down the stairs and out to my car where Id parked it in the cul-de-sac across from Opihi Place. I was shivering when I got behind the wheel, so much I couldnt find the ignition to put the key in. Just then a car came up the main road, turned into Opihi and then into the Dyerss driveway. At first I thought it was the police, but as I settled down, I realized it couldnt have been. No blue light. I was about to drive off when it occurred to me a dead Charlie would call for explanations. Thered be inquiries made. Checks on alibis. I didnt see how I could be suspected, but then again I knew suspicion would hover around the people who knew her, people in her circleJoe, Zoe, me, Richardand thats when I decided to do something about it.
“Thats when I saw a way out, a way to shift suspicion in another direction. I picked up the cellphone I've used for international calls, called the police and reported a prowler around Opihi Place.”
There was another pause, and an amused expression came over the speakers face. “Im sure you long ago gave up on the phone call. Strange, you know. Im really very law abiding. But when I found out I could get all those overseas calls to stamp auctions without paying long distance charges it was very difficult to resist.” Another pause. “But then its always been difficult for me to resist anything having to do with stamps.”
“Anyhow, Id just barely hung up when the car came roaring out of the driveway and took off toward town. By then, Id stopped shaking and had decided it was time to leave. Which was when I saw someone on foot turn into Opihi. I suddenly recognized OHearne. I wouldnt have known him if it hadnt been for his limp There wasnt much of amoon shining, and Id seen him only once beforewith Charlieat a party on Joes boat, but there was no mistaking who he was. The moment he walked up the Dyers driveway, I took off.
“When I heard of OHearnes arrest, I thought my troubles were over. Actually theyd just started. And my financial troubles had really just begun. I needed money for rent. The Toyota dealer Id talked to before finally agreed to trade up for my Chrysler. It wasnt much, but at least my immediate economic problems were taken care of.
“The books at HH began looking worse than ever. Then I heard the Dyers safe was going to be opened, and I thought the money in there would save the company. When the door swung open on an empty safe, I knew things couldnt get worse. But they did. OHearne called me up. It took me a long time to figure out how he knew Id killed Charlotte. It took no time at all for me to decide to get rid of him. I wouldnt have paid him blackmail even if Id had the money.
“He finally told me how he knew. OHearne remembered my car from the party where Id met him. They drove up behind me and parked beside my car at the marina. Charlotte introduced us and we walked onto the Lady Mac together.
Winston paused for another sip from the glass.“The dynamite was easy to get. I knew they had some up at Ridge Field, and I used a payroll excuse to visit there. The shack was open, so I slipped in and unlatched the window. The next weekend I went in through the window and took out five sticks. It was a snap to rig them up in OHearnes car. Id set up traps the same way dozens of times in field practice when I was in the service.
“These past weeks have been a roller-coaster ride. When everything seemed hopeless at Hawaiian Harvest, suddenly the money Dyer stole showed up. But it still wasnt enough. And to make matters even worse, the state accountant was finding all sorts of discrepancies in the books. Meantime, the police kept coming around to the factory and to my apartment. I got desperate and put one of the dynamite wrappers in Joes car one afternoon. I knew hed never be prosecuted, but I thought it would shift suspicion away from me. But nothing seemed to work. I think it was then I began to give serious thought to suicide.
“When I heard the police were making inquiries up at Ridge Field, I knew Id be discovered sooner or later, and I really didnt care anymore. Then, this afternoon, when the Toyota dealer called and said he had a cu
stomer who was interested in my old Chrysler, and would I be willing to call her and tell her what a good car it had beenit firmed up my decision.
“Hawaiian Harvest is gone. Im too old to go to work anywhere else. I only hope this tape will serve as a will. My collection is in a vault at the First National. My keys on the table here. Id like it to go to the Smithsonian. I really cant think of anything else.” Winston picked up the tumbler in his left hand and the automatic in his right. In one gulp he swallowed the remaining liquid. Carefully replacing the glass on the table, he put the gun to his forehead and pulled the trigger. His head jerked sideways, and then he fell forward out of the cameras range. In moments, muffled sounds of voices could be heard, followed by knocking.
***
It was a silent trio who left the lab, going out to the front desk to log in and leave the tape with the desk sergeant. On seeing them he said, “Hey, Lieutenant, the mayor just called. She wants to know if you can drop by before you leave.
Corky was the first to speak. “Go to it, Hank. This is your big chance. Tell her youve just solved two murders.”
Hank reached up to straighten his tie. Corky laughed and said, “You look fine Hank. Ill wait for you and the good news in your office.”
Hank grunted and said, “Who says good news? She may be breaking me back down to sergeant for all I know.”
Kay and Corky watched him go out the door and agreed he looked a bit like a criminal going off to his execution.
After a trip to the restroom and another to the coffee maker, the two of them retired to Hanks office: Corky to write up the final report on the two murders; Kay to call the office to relay the latest news.
While Corky occupied Hanks chair to pen in the details of the afternoon, Kay sat back in one of the leather visitors chairs and phoned Leilani, who had purposely stayed late to hear the news. She insisted on finding out what the afternoon had produced before passing Kay along to Sid, who plugged Qual into a conference line.
“Sounds like you did it again,” Qual said.
“Now, looking back at it,” Kay answered, “Im not so sure. Most of the time I was on the right track for the wrong reasons. Even after I found out Winston was driving a different car then he had been on New Years Eve, I thought hed bought a new one to keep us off his trail, when he really did it because he needed the money.”
“Minor error,” Qual said.
“I suppose.” Kay still sounded doubtful. “Even Winston died not knowing he thought he put those dynamite wrappers in Joes car, when he actually had put them in Zoes.”
Sids laughter reverberated through the phone. “Youre never happy until you have all the holes filled, are you, Kay?”
“Well, there are a lot of holes to fill. For one thing, why in the world would Winston have thought Charlotte Dyer knew the combination to the wall safe?”
The tone of Quals voice sounded mollifying as he said, “Thats another minor problem, Kay.”
“Maybe. But theres still a major one hanging fire.”
“Whats that?”
“A little matter of a missing million dollars.”
Chapter 22
Both Kay and Corky were shocked at Hanks appearance as he came into the office. His familiar Hawaiian tan had suddenly faded. His eyes had the glazed appearance Corky remembered seeing on a badly injured traffic victim. Neither of the women said anything as Hank entered and slumped down in the other visitors chair.
Corkys voice, when she found it, was sympathetic. “ Bad news huh, Hank?” “Bad news?” he seemed to be asking himself the question.
“Hell, Hank, so you didnt get the captaincy. It isnt the end of the world.” Kay was about to add some words of condolence when Hank snapped out of his
trance, saying, “Right. No captaincy. The Mayors nominating me to take Chief Yamadas place.”
“Chief!!” Kay and Corky blurted the title out simultaneously.
Hank was coming back to the surface. “She heard about the murders being solved.
Damned if I know how news can get around so fast. Anyhow, she congratulated me for that and on discovering whod bombed Flight 212. I told her you did all the discovering, Kay. She just laughed and said, „It doesnt matter how a police chief solves crimes. If he has friends who can do it for him, so much the better. It will give him that much more time to worry about administering the Department.”
Corky pulled the papers in front of her and started to get up when Hank said, “Sit back down, Corky. Thats your desk from now on, Lieutenant.”
Kay looked at the startled Corky and let out a whoop. “I never thought Id see the day, Corky,” she said. “The old boy network has finally been broken.”
Corky sat back down, closed her open mouth, then said, “Believe me, Kay, I never thought Id see the day either.”
The three of them suddenly realized the phone had been ringing during the cheering. Kay, who was nearest to it, answered it to hear Quals amused voice at the other end. “Craig just came in. When he heard the news about the great solutions he insisted on celebrating. You know how he is, always looking for an excuse to celebrate. Can you bring the principals out to our house for dinner, Kay?”
“Call him off, Qual. Weve got too much to celebrate to go doing this on the spur of the moment. See if you can talk him into coming out to our house tomorrow evening instead, with dinner fixings. Ill pitch in…and so will Toni.” The last was in response to Hanks nod of encouragement. In the meantime, Corky was making frantic gestures.
“And Alan, too,” Kay added.
***
As Sid surveyed the crowd, he was now glad hed yielded to Kay and built a house considerably larger than had been originally planned for. Qual and Craig had arrived, and Craig had immediately set to work in the spacious kitchen. Leilani and John Pak came early, John carrying an enormous bag of fresh bananas, papaya, avocados and kiwi fruit from his thriving orchard. Toni, Hank, and the two children arrived bearing Koholau beer and soft drinks. Jenny was overjoyed to see them, having a special place in her canine heart for children, particularly children like these who were only too eager to pet and pamper her.
Alan and Corky arrived next with Juni ready for action. Jenny was his first target, and the enormous Shepherd rolled over on her back in obvious ecstasy at the presence of this new and lively attendant. The cats, on the other hand, deciding all the tramping feet were far too threatening, retired early to their nightly haunts out in the fields.
Kay had saved a special surprise for the group in the form of Morton Dyer and Joan Lister, who were the last to arrive. Morton was the center of attention, as the man who had managed an almost successful disappearance. And Joan was congratulated on having acquired the disappearing man.
The meal was one of Craigs major triumphs, served out on the spacious lanai with its magnificent view of the Pacific. Gladly sharing the spotlight with Kay, Toni and Alan, he insisted they were the ones most responsible for the feasts success. And, in the course of consuming the various dishes coming from the kitchen, more of the past months mysteries were resolved. Morton pointed out the solution to one which had been nagging Kay.
“I can see why Winston thought Charlie knew the combination. It was because I told him she did. It goes back at least six months. Maybe more. A fire broke out in an accounting office wastebasket and almost got out of control. Winston then became paranoid about his records. I suggested he copy his floppies and put them in a bank vault, or give me a copy to keep in my safe at home. He said no, because I was gone so much to the mainland, he might not be able to get to the copy if he wanted to. I laughed, and said he could always ask Charlie since she knew the combination to the safe. And she didthen. Later, when I started to put money in the safe, I changed the combination, figuring if she ever found cash there shed keep raiding it. Anyhow, Winston didnt take me up on my offer, but it explains why he thought Charlie knew the combination.”
Qual supplied the solution to a second mystery.“The FAA man who came over yesterday called
just before we closed up shop. He says the submarine got several good photos of the Flight 212 plane wreckage. On the basis of them, theyre almost certain the bomb was placed on the wheel assembly and was drawn up into the wheel well when the plane took off. They think it was some sort of plastic bomb with gunk on it which would make it stick instantly. Then, equipped with a timer sensitive to altitude, it went off at twenty-thousand feet or so.”
Kay shuddered. “OHearne must have just ridden by in the jitney, slapped the bomb on the wheel, probably without stopping, and then went right back to the freight office.”
Qual broke in with a new thought. “Theres something thats been bothering me from the moment Joe confessed to killing OHearne. “
“Whats that?”
“Well, we decided he was covering for Zoewhich he wasbut we never tried to explain what motive hethought she had for killing OHearne.”
Kay grinned as she said,“It bothered me too, Qual, but Joe cleared up the mystery for me yesterdayreluctantly, though. Once he found the dynamite wrapper in Zoes car, he went berserk. He jumped to the conclusion Zoe had been having her own affair going with OHearne and killed both Charlotte Dyer and OHearne in a rage when she found out they were carrying on. I know it all sounds farfetched, and even Joe admits it was wild thinking on his part, but he says he was pretty wild by then.”
“Well,” Hank broke in, as the others mulled over what Kay had just said, “the one thing I knew for sure was OHearne was a killer. Didnt I tell you that, Corky?”
The Yoshinobu Mysteries: Volume 2 Page 71