“Layla, I’m sorry about so many things that happened between us, and I will not stand in your way with anything you decide. It’s probably best we divorce, and it is best for you to go back to New York. You have lots of friends and a good career there. I only want you to be happy again.” Kyle reached for Layla and held her in his arms. Tears streamed down their cheeks.
CHAPTER 16
George closed his cell phone and walked to the front lanai where Annie and Layla were sitting. “We’ve received an invitation from Dewey to join him tomorrow for his swan song to windsurfing. How about it, ladies?”
“I guess I should see the fabled windsurfers before leaving the island. Count me in.”
“Honey, I have some things I must attend to before the services. You and Layla go ahead and tell Dewey I’m sorry to have missed his farewell.”
“Layla, you won’t believe the bird people. They are a wonder.”
“Why is Dewey leaving?” Layla questioned.
“He’ll have to tell you that himself, and I think you will be quite surprised.”
* * *
George drove to the cliff overlooking the beach, parked the Jeep, and told Layla if she wanted to, she could leave her blouse and shorts in the car. Layla took them off as George pulled off his T-shirt. She walked over to George’s side of the car, where the path to the beach began.
“Damn, Layla, you really are too thin. Is that a New York thing?”
“No, I’m just now beginning to eat again and coming out of my mourning period, which is probably weird, considering what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Okamoto, but I can’t help the way things have affected my life.”
They walked down the steep path to the beach. When Layla finally looked up, the sight took her breath away. “My god, are they crazy? What the hell are they thinking? Someone must get hurt or die on a daily basis.”
“No, they are very disciplined. If the wind gets too rough and takes them toward the rocks, they come back to shore and police the water for any novice that thinks he or she can just get on a board and windsurf. Dewey told me it took him three months and quite a few one-on-one lessons before they would allow him on a board by himself.”
“George, I don’t know if I can watch this. It scares me. Oh, there’s Dewey. Look at the goofy grin on his face. This maybe selfish, but I’m glad this is Dewey’s last day. He’s been so nice to me. I would hate to have anything happen to him. Do you think he knows we’re here?”
“He’s spotted us. Wave at him.”
Layla and George waved at Dewey. Layla was hoping he would come back in to the beach and be safe. Dewey was headed back out to catch his final wave. He waited until he felt just the right swell, then took off and caught one of the best of the day. He adjusted his sail and soared up off the wave, and for a split second, he was airborne, a feeling he would never be able to equal no matter what his accomplishments. Well, he thought, making love to Layla would definitely be better. Imagine making love to an angel. He smiled to himself and headed to shore.
George and Layla met him, Layla with a frown on her face. “Dewey, I hope that is truly your swan song because I think it’s silly to tempt fate so often.” Gesturing to the windsurfers in the water, she continued, “Any of you could be killed or seriously injured. Just look at how young some of those kids are out there. Frankly, I’m appalled.”
“I’m done, and yes, it is a dangerous sport but no more dangerous than driving on a freeway or skiing or I don’t know.” Dewey grinned at both of them, then asked George if he would try and get Kemo Munson’s attention and get him to come into shore. Kemo was Donald Munson’s eldest son, an avid windsurfer and a future champion of the sport.
“Sure, it may take a bit. He seems very intent on the waves.”
“No problem. I want to talk to Layla a minute.” Dewey grabbed Layla’s elbow and directed her to an outcropping of rocks. She rested against one and looked at him questionably.
“Layla, I imagine you think I’m a goofball or surf bum, but that’s a long way from the truth. I’m thirty years old and have been working intently for most of those years. First, two doctorate degrees, then my own company where I employ over two hundred people—that in itself is a big responsibility, plus continuing to try and be one jump ahead of my competition. It all exacted a price. I burned out, and I’ve spent the last six months escaping reality. It’s been quite an experience. I’ve done things I should have done when I was a kid, but there was always so much to accomplish when I was young. I don’t know if you ever play video games, but my company is in the business of developing them, and now we are developing a new digital process aimed at movies, television, music videos, etc. I’m Dewey McMaster, and I live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where my company is located.”
“Are you the DewMaster?”
“Yep, but just call me Dewey.”
“That old saying, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover,’ certainly holds true. The first time I saw you I thought you were a homeless person. George told me you were special, referred you to a Maui onion.”
“He what?” Dewey asked wide eyes.
“He said you had many layers but a sweet core.”
“That’s a hell of a compliment, I think.”
George came toward them with Kemo Munson in tow. “Kemo, my man, I have a proposition for you.”
Kemo shook Dewey’s hand, knowing this was his last day windsurfing. News had spread fast about Dewey’s real identity. “Hey, DewMaster, what can I do for you?”
“Kemo, I want you to have my board. Everyone knows one day you will be a champion, and I want you to have the advantage of this board. It’s one of the finest made, and I think you deserve to use it to its fullest potential.”
“Wow, Dewey, that’s so cool. Thank you. Wait till Dad hears about this. He’ll be thrilled.”
Kemo gathered his new board and walked off toward the surf. Dewey looked back at Layla who stood there, hands on hips, frowning.
“Dewey, how could you give a mere child that board?”
“He’s more capable of using it than I was. He’ll be fine.”
Layla turned sharply and tromped off toward the upward path to the Jeep.
“What did I do?”
“Layla doesn’t get windsurfing. She thinks it’s too dangerous, especially for someone as young as Kemo.”
“My poor angel, maybe you or Annie could enlighten her. Doesn’t she look adorable when she’s mad?”
Again, George shook his head at Dewey’s infatuation with Layla. “We’ll see what we can do. You keep referring to her as your angel. That’s the scrawniest angel I’ve ever seen. She needs about ten or twenty more pounds to be a proper angel.”
“You’re right. She needs someone to care for her, a job which I would like to handle.”
“You have to give her more time. She’s decided to fly back to Washington, DC, pack her things up, and head back to New York. She even has a job waiting for her. Plus, she has decided to end her marriage to Kyle.”
Dewey grabbed George’s arm, stopping him cold. “You’ve got to be kidding. That’s terrific news! I want to invite you, Annie, and Layla to Bird’s tonight. I’m throwing an all-you-can-eat farewell party for my windsurfing friends and their families. Let me know within a couple of hours, and I’ll let Byrd know to expect you. Please talk the ladies into joining the fun.”
“I’ll do my best. No problem with Annie, but Layla might be a hard sell.”
“You can do it, George. I have faith in your powers of persuasion.”
Layla was anxious to tell Annie about the youngsters in peril. Annie laughed. “Paia is considered a windsurfing capital. Some of these kids are probably safer on a board than a bike. Sure, there have been broken legs and arms, but that’s about all, and everyone watches out for everyone else. Our kids didn’t want to attempt it. They were satisfied with surfing,
so it was something we didn’t have to face, but with the proper training, I would have been OK if one of them had wanted to take up the sport.”
“I guess I’m being overly protective, probably because of my recent loss. I was pretty rude to Dewey.”
George overheard what Layla said. “You can make it up to him by joining Annie and me at Bird’s tonight. Dewey has invited us to a dinner for the windsurfers and their families. He wanted to do something to thank everyone for their hospitality. This will be fun. We can use some fun before the funeral.”
“George, you shouldn’t talk like that.”
“Maybe not, but it’s true. That funeral is going to be a sad time for everyone. Can I call Dewey and tell him all three of us will be there tonight?”
“Yes, include me in. That’s the least I can do after my earlier behavior.”
George phoned Dewey and told him the good news. Dewey let out a long sigh of relief.
“Thanks, George. I knew you could do it, and I need another favor. Mr. Soo will be attending tonight, and he would like a ride. Is that OK?”
“Sure, I’ll call him, and let me know what time we’re leaving.”
“Thanks, I really like Mr. Soo. We became good friends over these last six months. He’s kind of a lonely man. Even though he has sons, they are busy on Oahu and don’t get over too often. Mrs. Soo, she seems to live in a world eighty years ago in China, sad lady. I think he’s cool. He gave me an idea for a video game. Pretty good for a man his age.”
As the sun began its evening journey to the sea, everyone piled into the Jeep and headed to Bird’s. On the way, George noticed a light in the sheriff’s office and pulled into a parking spot.
“I’m just going to be a minute. I want to see how the sheriff is feeling and if there are any new developments in the case. Mr. Soo, do you want to stay with the ladies or come with me?”
“I’m staying with these lovely ladies. It’s getting dark. They may need my protection.”
“Good thinking, Mr. Soo.”
George walked into the sheriff’s substation, calling out, “Sheriff, it’s George Boone. I came to see how you were feeling.”
“Come on back, George, I’m all propped up and don’t want to get up and have to get repositioned.”
“Jeez, you don’t look very comfortable,” George said as he came into the office and saw the sheriff setting behind his desk with one leg slung over an opened desk drawer. He also noticed the sheriff sitting on a pillow. “What’s with the pillow?”
“Saw Dr. Tan when he got back from Hana. He said Kyle had done a great job disinfecting the wound and stitching it up. However, he gave me a shitload of antibiotics in the ass for infection. I don’t know what hurts worse, my leg or my ass. Hell of a look for a sheriff!”
“Sorry you’re feeling so rotten. It could be worse. You could have broken a leg.”
“Or be dead if you hadn’t grabbed a hold of me. Thanks again, George, I’ve thought about that moment a lot. Damn, we were dumb to try going over those rocks in that weather, even though it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t our brightest moment. Any new developments on the murders?”
“It’s been confirmed a stun gun was used on both the Okamotos prior to their actual murder. The good thing about that is they felt no pain.”
“I’m glad they didn’t suffer. Any clue on the stun gun?”
“The police have checked, and none of their Tasers have been lost or stolen. Can’t ship them here, it’s illegal. I thought maybe some retired cop lost one or had it stolen and either failed to report it or doesn’t know it’s missing.”
“I had better be going, got a car full of hungry folks.”
“Who all you feeding this time?”
“You know Layla is staying with us and Mr. Soo couldn’t miss going out for an evening meal. We’ve all been invited to Bird’s for a bash Dewey is throwing.”
“Oh yeah, that’s tonight. He phoned and invited me, but I didn’t feel up to being seen by so many in this pitiful condition. Carrying a pillow is pretty pathetic.”
* * *
Back at the Jeep, George told everyone about the sheriff and his pillow and the news about the stun-gun marks on the Okamotos. Within a few minutes, they were parked and on their way into Bird’s.
Jim Byrd and his wife Jessie purchased the bar after his return from Vietnam. An entryway partitioned off the bar with stained-glass bird of paradise, waves, and sunset panels. Past the entryway, a long polished wooden bar ran almost the length of the room with booths on the right. At the end of the room were a jukebox and a medium-sized dance floor. Past the bar and through an arch were restrooms on the right and a kitchen on the left. A door led to the outside and the grill room as everyone called it. This is where Jim Byrd did his magic; he grilled steaks, chicken, available fresh seafood, and vegetables each night for those who called in advanced orders. Picnic tables under a pergola accommodated overflow for those not eating in the bar.
When Byrd purchased the bar, he had a neon sign made by a local who gave him a terrific price; unfortunately, he spelled the name Bird’s and not Byrd’s. Jim left it that way, and Bird’s was born. Something about the name drew the windsurfers, often called the bird people, and Bird’s had been their place for years.
Then there was Bird’s bird. Gene, the local veterinarian, had aided the state police with a group of injured exotic birds that were seized being shipped illegally from Central and South American. A beautiful young parrot’s wings had been so damaged in shipment that Gene had to clip the wings and the parrot could never fly again. Jessie volunteered at Gene’s hospital and said she would give the parrot a home. She had gone to Bird’s to show Jim, and once there, the parrot hopped off Jessie’s shoulder and onto Jim’s shoulder, and he became Bird’s bird. From then on, he was known as Bird and became a fixture as you entered the bar. He perched on a hat tree just inside the door and was the official greeter. The funny thing was the amorous way Bird greeted certain ladies as they entered the bar. If he liked a man, he would say a crisp “Hi, bud.” The ladies were often subject to loving endearments and coos. If he didn’t like you, Bird turned his back, totally ignoring the incoming patron.
Annie and George had filled Layla in on Bird’s history, making her anxious to see what her greeting would be from the parrot. When she entered, Bird threw his head back and sized her up and said, “Pretty little thing.” Then he spied Annie and cooed, “Hot mama, give us a kiss!” Annie walked over and placed her face close to Bird, and he rubbed his beak against her cheek, the highest compliment he paid a lady. Bird noticed the two men and gave them a “Hi, bud” greeting.
They continued into the bar and out the door to the eating area. Byrd had set up long tables and hung lanterns over the back area. The aroma from two huge grills filled the air. There were probably thirty men, women, and children enjoying the feast and about ten or twelve inside eating. Dewey hired a bartender for the inside and outside bars. Byrd was busy grilling, Jessie was serving plates she received from her husband, and Dewey was greeting all those that were arriving. When he saw George and his group, his face lit up, and he hurried over to them. He shook hands with George and Mr. Soo, kissed Annie on the cheek, and hugged Layla.
“I’m happy all of you decided to attend tonight. Tell Jessie your order. I have a table for us right over here.” Dewey nodded to a table where a “reserved” sign was placed. “Jessie will serve your meat order and grilled vegetables, but you will have to select your salads, bread, dessert, etc., from that long table to your right. What can I get you to drink?”
All but Mr. Soo agreed on beers; he ordered a Coke, and then he was off to the table with the food. As Dewey was bringing back drinks, Mr. Soo returned with a dinner-size plate loaded with salads and breads, along with a dessert plate with two kinds of dessert.
“Lord, Mr. Soo, are
you going to eat all that and your meat and vegetables too?” Annie asked.
“Have hollow leg, eat it all,” Mr. Soo said as he began to dig into his salads.
“Well, I’ve got to try some of those salads. Layla, come on and try a couple with me. George, how about you?”
“Right behind you. It looks terrific. I’m starved.”
Annie, Layla, George, and Dewey returned with salad plates and dessert plates all respectfully full, but none came close to Mr. Soo’s plates loaded with food. Jessie brought their orders; when everyone was full, even Mr. Soo, they drank coffee or tea and enjoyed the crowd of happily eating and sociable people.
At ten o’clock, cooking stopped, and Dewey’s cleanup crew began to disassemble the backyard. Those staying went into the bar where music played; the majority thanked Dewey, told him how much he would be missed, and went on their way home. Mr. Soo said it was past his bedtime and hitched a ride with a couple that was going his way. George, Annie, Layla, and Dewey went inside and found an empty table. After a round of beer was served, the jukebox played “Always,” and George and Annie were off to the dance floor.
“George said you would be going back to Washington, DC, right after the funeral. Have you made your airline reservations yet?
“I must do that tomorrow. I’ve been so forgetful, enjoying my time in Paia.”
“May I offer you a lift?”
“I’m not going just down the street. I’m going clear to the nations’ capital. I’ll need to take an airplane.”
“I know, I’m offering you my airplane. My plane and crew will get into Maui in about an hour. If you let me know when you want to leave, I’ll get you home.”
Maui Murders Page 9