Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “My god, did you say Layla was bringing macaroni and cheese? Cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese, I do believe I’ve died and gone to food heaven!” exclaimed Fiona.

  At seven, two sets of neighbors made their way to the Boones’ back lanai. Fiona told Layla she loved macaroni and cheese and was so glad she had made a large casserole.

  “Me too,” said Mr. Soo. “I never tried it before Layla fixed it, and now I must have it at least once a week. It is a pleasure for my palate.”

  “What have you got there?” Layla asked, indicating the pie case Ned was carrying.

  “It’s a lemon cream pie, delicious and very refreshing after a big meal. I’m sure you’ll love it. Everyone is always surprised at how light it is and so sweet,” Fiona said.

  “That sounds yummy. I hope Annie has plenty of snacks. I’m hungry just walking over to their house.”

  “Me too!” said Mr. Soo.

  “I had a light lunch after eighteen holes of golf today, then spent a couple of hours with Donnie at the Visitors Center. When George invited us for hamburgers, my mouth started watering, and that was hours ago,” declared Ned.

  They all sat around the table on the Boones’ lanai. Drinks were made, snacks were laid out, and everyone was digging in, enjoying the food and company.

  “Layla, I heard you and Fiona had a very successful outing today,” Annie said.

  “We sure did, and Fiona called hunky Herb who came to the store and helped us out with our choices. We were unhappy with the vanity choices, and he suggested his partner, an excellent carpenter who apprenticed under Marty, make what we had in mind. A great idea, so we agreed.”

  “Wade is a terrific carpenter. He did some excellent restoration work at the Country Club after the storm, very impressive.”

  “I still say those two gorgeous men are the biggest waste of testosterone on the island,” said Fiona.

  “What’s that mean?” George asked.

  All eyes turned toward George. “What, what did I say?” he asked in response to their stares.

  “George, surely you knew that Herb and Wade are a couple?” Fiona asked.

  “What do you mean a couple?” George asked, looking around the table as everyone looked at him in disbelief.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sakes, George, they’re gay, didn’t you know?” asked Annie, shaking her head.

  “Of course, I didn’t know. How would I know? Did all of you know?” George asked his fellow tablemates.

  Everyone nodded, saying yes.

  “How come I’m always the last to know these type of things? I just don’t understand it. I’m starting the grill.” George got up and went over to his grill, leaving those at the table suppressing laughter.

  After dinner and dessert, everyone one made their way to lounge chairs, complaining they ate too much.

  “I feel miserable, but I’m glad I overate on such terrific food. I won’t be able to eat for a day or two,” moaned Fiona.

  At the top of the road, looking down on the terrace of houses, the sheriff watched those on the Boones’ lanai. He pulled binoculars from the glove compartment and brought them into focus. There was food and laughter, neighbors enjoying themselves, being neighborly.

  “Well, well,” he said out loud, “the Boones and the Kellers. That’s a new group, and there’s Layla and Mr. Soo. This is what island life should be about. Hope the Kellers and Mr. Soo locked up before going to the Boones’.”

  Annie sat down on the glider with a sigh. “Honey, that was a great idea you had last night making extra burgers. They tasted great nuked, but why did we eat so much?”

  “Probably because we had to finish off Fiona’s pie. You’ve got to get the recipe from her. That was great, and I’m not that much of a pie person.” George was standing on the side of the lanai looking over toward Layla’s. “Honey, come here a minute.”

  “OK, but getting up is a chore,” Annie said, making her way to the rail. “Oh, gosh, I wonder if something has happened.” Annie saw Layla sitting on her porch steps, chin cupped in her hands, gazing in the distance. “I think I’ll go over and see if something’s wrong. She was going sketching today. That should have made her happy.”

  “Annie, I was thinking last night as we were talking about things in our youth, Layla hasn’t any friends her age here. She pals around with you gals and lives with Mr. Soo. She has workers her age, but they work for her, and with her background, a friendship would not be possible. That might be hard on her whether she realizes it or not. I know she talks to Dewey several times weekly, but that’s not like having a living, breathing person you can interact with.”

  “George, you have a valid point that I never considered. I don’t know of anyone her age that I could get her acquainted with, especially a girlfriend. Gals like to confide to girlfriends while they’re single.”

  “When they marry, do you share everything with their husband?”

  “Lord, no!” Annie exclaimed as she left to go and check on Layla.

  Approaching Layla, Annie spoke out, “You look pretty sad for someone that was going to enjoy a morning of sketching.”

  “No, I’m not sad, just pensive. I had a wonderful time sketching and did a darn good job of capturing a windsurfer. I’m feeling hormonal or something. I want to call Dewey, but I don’t want to sound too needy. Thought I would just sit here and wait for that beautiful man to come and deliver bathroom fixtures.”

  Annie frowned and asked, “Layla, what exactly are you feeling?”

  “Ever since Fiona told me how she met Ned, and let me tell you it was one erotic story, I’ve had this overwhelming desire to be with Dewey. It’s like something has awakened in me.”

  “My god, Layla, what did Fiona tell you?”

  “Did I hear someone mention my name?” Fiona said, walking up the driveway.

  “What have you done to Layla?” Annie laughed, looking at Fiona.

  “What did I do?” Fiona asked.

  “It was that romantic, erotic story of how you and Ned got together. Don’t get me wrong, ladies, I’m glad to have this feeling again. This means I’m back or almost back being female again. It’s just that I’m unsure what I should do next.”

  “How did you and Ned meet?” Annie asked Fiona.

  “I’ll tell you the whole tale one day soon, but we need to be sure Layla is thinking straight first,” Fiona said to Annie.

  Turning into the street between the homes, the ladies saw Herb’s truck, and an audible sigh was heard from Layla. “Well darn, looking at him right now is all I need.”

  “You are getting in a bad way,” said Fiona, shaking her head.

  Layla hit the remote, and the garage doors came open. Herb maneuvered his truck so that the items could be unloaded and taken into the garage. This was Layla first sighting of Wade. As he got out of the truck and came around to help Herb unload, she let out an audible gasp. Fiona and Annie looked sharply at Layla and grinned.

  “Is this a welcoming committee?” Herb asked.

  “Annie was keeping Layla company while she waited, and I came to talk to Wade about an idea for Layla’s wall unit,” Fiona said. “The unit would house shelves for books and her large flat-screen television. I was thinking maybe you could custom-make it and stain it the same color as the wood throughout the house.”

  “Would it be possible for me look at the wall area and the wood you referenced?” Wade asked.

  “Sure, Layla, can we get inside today?” Fiona asked, looking in Layla’s direction.

  Layla did not answer until Annie nudged her, then she said, “Sorry, I was out sketching today, and I think I spent too much time in the sun. My brain must have gotten fried. What did you say?”

  Fiona looked surprised at Layla and repeated Wade’s question. “Wade asked if it would be possible to look inside to consider whether he would undertak
e making the shelving for your living room.”

  “Sure, I’ve got the keys with me. I’ll open up, and you guys can come on up when you’re done unloading.”

  “If everyone is all set, I’ll go back home and see if George is still moaning over eating too much for lunch, and, Fiona, he’s blaming you for making such a good pie that he just had to finish it all.”

  “How lovely,” Fiona said, laughing. “Serves him right, but thank him for the compliment.”

  “He asked me to get your recipe, but I won’t be in any rush to make the pie, for fear we both will overindulge again.”

  Fiona and Layla went into the house so Layla could open it up and get some fresh ocean breezes into the living room. Annie went back to tend to George.

  Annie found George lying in the glider, long legs hung over the side. “Are you feeling any better?”

  “My stomach is sore.”

  “Want me to rub your tummy? That’s what I did when the kids had a tummy ache,” Annie said.

  “That would be very kind of you. What’s wrong with Layla?”

  Annie pushed George over and sat down next to him. She pulled up his T-shirt and began rubbing his stomach. “She’s beginning to have adult feelings for Dewey, which surprised her. She seems a bit conflicted about, shall we say, her awakening.”

  “Good for Dewey, about damned time. So when does she plan to see him?”

  “Well, that is where her conflict comes in. She wants to wait until her house is finished, and they can have total privacy. Even though his home is huge, there is Agnes and Ted, and Layla wants their first time to be special.”

  “Good lord, why doesn’t she just meet him in San Francisco or San Diego or even Malibu,” George said with disgust.

  “Because, sweetheart, sometimes women get romantic ideas in their head. They picture their first time with someone, right out of a romance novel. Layla has been through so much in the past year, she has this romantic picture in her head, and it has to play out for her.”

  “Seems like things were easier when we were young.”

  “You and I never went through what Layla has. We fell in love, got married, had kids, and here we are today. Except for some financial hurdles and the usual child-rearing nightmares, things have been good for us. We’ve been lucky. Best yet, we’re still in love with each other,” Annie said with a smile.

  “Annie, we are the new face of seniors. There are a lot of us now and more on the way. We exercise, eat healthy, are happily married to the spouse we started life with, and are enthusiastic about our future. We engage in an active sex life, and we feel alive.”

  “That’s deep. When did you come up with this revelation?”

  “It dawned on me the other afternoon when Ned came over and Fiona went over to greet him. I could see the same type of chemistry between them that you and I share. I don’t think they’re pouring over real estate stats or blueprints every night. They both are fit, and except for the past twenty-four hours when we all slipped off the healthy-eating wagon, they eat properly and are involved with our community. They are busy, active seniors.” Saying that, George reached up, tilted Annie’s chin toward him, and kissed her.

  Wade and Herb stood in Layla’s living room and looked around in marvel. “What a fabulous home you are turning this into. This wood is beyond description,” said Wade.

  “Mr. Soo had all this wood imported, and the intricate carvings are a wonder,” Layla said with pride in her voice. “I feel lucky I was able to purchase it and to find the right people to restore it to what it once was.”

  Wade turned to Layla, saying, “I know this seems like a dumb statement at this time, but if for some reason you ever want to sell your home, please call me first. I would cherish this wood, and I think living here would be an honor.”

  “Wade, after what you just said, if I ever do sell, I promise I’ll contact you first,” Layla said, smiling.

  “Wade, you do know that by the time Layla is finished, this home will be worth over two million?” Fiona asked.

  “That wouldn’t be a problem,” Wade said with confidence.

  He walked to the only wall in the living room where shelving would work and studied it for a few moments. “Yes, wood shelves in the same color as the wood throughout would be possible and add to the drama of this room. What color are you going to paint the walls?” he asked, turning to Layla.

  “All walls in the house will be done in Sawyer white. I wanted something subtle that would highlight the wood,” said Layla.

  “Excellent choice. I could make floating shelves. Those are shelves that are secured to the wall but without the linkage of sidepieces. It eliminates the boxy feeling of the shelving. What do you think, Fiona?”

  “Wonderful. It would make a stunning statement. What do you think, Layla?”

  “I never imagined anything like that either, but I can picture it now, and I like what I see. Let’s do it, Wade.”

  “Great. I feel blessed that I can have an imprint on this house,” Wade said with a genuine smile. “Can I have a tour of the rest of your home?”

  “Sure, let me take you around. Excuse the kitchen. I’m in the process of cleaning up the cabinets myself.” Layla led Wade through to the other rooms, leaving Herb and Fiona in the living room.

  Herb turned to Fiona, saying, “Don’t worry about Wade having enough money to afford this home. He’s very rich. No one knows this outside Donnie Munson and me, but he’s a trust fund baby, and it’s a huge trust fund. He came here when he graduated college to get out of the reach of his family. When they realized he was happy and successful, they released his money, but he hardly ever touches it. Money doesn’t play much of a part in his happiness.”

  “Who knew?” Fiona said, shaking her head. “I promise you, if Layla ever decides to sell, Wade will be my first call. Frankly, I see her marrying Dewey and moving to Utah, but that’s just between us, Herb.”

  “You’re kidding. I had no idea they even knew each other.”

  “They met during the storm, and Dewey fell in love with her at first sight. It’s a long sorted story, but Dewey has stayed by her side through all the disasters she has encountered. Bringing this house back to life is really about Layla bringing Layla back to life.”

  CHAPTER 48

  Fiona stayed with Layla after Herb and Wade left while she closed up the house. “Fiona, if you and Ned want to come over tomorrow and browse, here’s another counter of heaven-knows-what.”

  “I’ll just rummage through things now,” Fiona said, scanning the items on the counter. “There are a couple of other things I can use.”

  “Please take anything you like,” said Layla.

  “I’ll call Annie and ask her and George over before Chris boxes things up and takes them to his mother-in-law.”

  After locking up, Layla turned to Fiona and said, “Thank you for your idea to have Wade do the shelving. I’ve got to call Dewey. I’m more in control now,” Layla said, trying to reassure herself.

  * * *

  Dewey and Ted were outside when the phone rang, so Agnes answered, “Layla, good to hear your voice. How’s the remodeling going?”

  “Making progress, Agnes, but it’s taking longer than I anticipated. What’s new with everyone there?”

  “Not much, snow is gone, and Dewey and Ted are taking down the storm windows and putting up the screens, which means more snow. I told them it was too early, but they both are anxious for spring to get here. Dewey loves the sunshine. Growing up in Southern California and then spending time in Maui makes him miss the warm climate and sunshine even more. Utah will have to be his home for years, but at heart, he’s a sunshine, warm-climate man.

  “I’ve answered Dewey’s cell, so let me take this outside to him. I know he’s anxious to talk with you,” Agnes said, carrying on their conversation as she went outside.

&n
bsp; Dewey took the offered phone from Agnes and walked toward the patio for some privacy. “Layla, I was wondering if you were going to call today.”

  “The day got away from me, and I mentally drifted. I went sketching this morning. Mr. Soo thought it would help me relax, and of course, he was right. It has been such a hectic week, and then I had today’s delivery. Remember, I told you about that? Fiona arranged with Wade, who is making the bathroom vanities, to design my living-room-wall unit. It will be stained the same color as the wood throughout the house, and the shelving will be floating shelves. I think it will have a stunning visual impact. I’m still cleaning out the kitchen drawers and shelves. I wish you were here to see some of things I’ve found. There are items I have no idea what they could be. If I wasn’t trying to get so much done, I would enjoy all this.” Layla took a deep breath, then continued, “Dewey, do you know Wade and Herb?”

  “No, I haven’t met them, but I’ve seen them around Paia. Why do you ask?”

  “They are so good-looking, and do you know they have been a couple for a number of years? Fiona said quite a few of the ladies have tried to change the persuasion of each of them without any luck. She said it’s a waste of testosterone. I tend to agree with her.”

  Dewey raised his voice slightly and asked, “Do I need to be jealous of a couple of gay men who will be working on your home?”

  “No, I’m just telling you gossip among us gals. Dewey, you never have to worry about me, you’re the only man in my life,” Layla said softly.

  “I wish I was there right now.”

  “I wish you were here too. I want you to hold me and kiss me, and I’m not sure I can wait until everything is finished on the house.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes,” Layla whispered.

  Dewey cleared this throat. “I have to be here through Thursday, but I’ll have a flight crew and plane ready to leave Friday morning. I’ll make arrangements for us to have a suite at the Four Seasons through Sunday night. I have to head back to Utah on Monday. I’m not talking about making love. I’m just talking about us being with each other, talking, laughing, catching up, and if something develops, fine. If not, that’s fine too. Will you pick me up at the airport on Friday?”