Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “A lady and her daughter who live here in Paia make them. They are hand woven, some are painted and some are left natural, then lacquered and they just last forever. She charges $20 for a set of four, which I believe is way too reasonable. Would you be interested in having her contact you about selling them?”

  “Heavens, yes, see if she can come to the bank next Friday at 2:00 p.m. and ask her to bring a set of red place mats and anything else they weave besides the mats. Great, only one to go!”

  When George finished his sandwich, he and Fiona went to the gift counter, and he began measuring. Annie and Donnie stayed on the patio, Annie graciously answering questions any docent may yet have.

  Dewey and Ted were in the den, relaxing in recliners, drinking beers, eating snacks, and enjoying a day of football. Layla and Agnes were at the kitchen counter, going over wedding plans.

  “Honey,” Agnes said, “I know you’re not thrilled about having your parents attend, but they’ll be coming, so just accept the fact.”

  “The only reason they’re attending is because Dewey is so rich and known worldwide. They can brag to all their friends who their daughter snagged.”

  “Oh, dear, that’s no way to talk.”

  “Wait till they’ve been here a few days, you will see exactly what I mean, trust me.”

  “I’m worried about Dewey’s mom. She has a tendency to be a bit negative,” said Agnes.

  “She’s probably concerned that her son is marrying a divorced woman who already lost one child at birth. Actually, I can’t say that I blame her,” said Layla with a sadness in her voice.

  “Once she gets to know you, she will be as happy for you and Dewey as Ted and I are. Let’s put Mr. Soo in the bedroom between your parents and Dewey’s mom. If what Dewey has told me about him is true, maybe his gentleness will seep through. The Kellers and Boones can share the other house. I think that will work out well, don’t you?”

  “Sounds great, you’re a wise planner. Do you think there is room for my girl friend and her new husband from New York?”

  “Sure, we have several spare bedrooms. Invite anyone you want.”

  “I don’t want this to be a huge affair, like my last wedding. Do you know of any place here where I can find a designer wedding gown?”

  “No, I don’t, but our wedding planner will. When we meet with her on Tuesday, that should be on our list.”

  They added finding a wedding gown to their ever-growing list.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you, who will be your maid or matron of honor?”

  “I’ve talked with Dewey, and we would like to have George and Annie stand up with us. Without them, Dewey and I would never have met or gotten to know each other, and their encouragement has helped bring us to this point. We haven’t asked them yet, but we intend to when we return to Paia. If I get good measurements, we should be able to fit Annie to a gown, then make adjustments when they arrive for the wedding.”

  “They are the perfect people to stand up with you, they are a loving couple. You can sense the affection they have for each other when you’re around them.”

  CHAPTER 69

  Wade called to Fiona as she was returning home from her morning run. “Fiona, I need a minute of your time.”

  “Be right there. I need some water first.”

  “Got bottled water right here, and it’s ice-cold.”

  “Sold,” said Fiona and went up the stairs to where Wade waited. “How can I help you?”

  “You have Chris and Josie working elsewhere, but I think you should see what they have accomplished so far. The floors look terrific.”

  Fiona and Wade went into the bedrooms where the floors were finished. The rooms were shut off from the rest of the house because of dust coming from the work on the bathrooms.

  “When I first saw these floors, I never thought they could be restored to this level, but these floors look new and the stain is wonderful. Won’t it be grand to see the entire house finished?”

  Wade smiled, feeling the house would be his one day. “I’m anxious to see it totally completed, furniture, wall hangings, and all. I believe you and Layla have exquisite taste.”

  “Thank you, my dear. I have to agree with you on that point.”

  Fiona looked into the small bathroom. “My god, this bathroom is complete except for the countertop. Wade, your vanity cabinets are perfect. How’s the other bathroom coming along?”

  “In here, Fiona,” Herb called from the larger bathroom, “just finishing up the tile work. The plumbing is all in, and I’ll start the installation of Wade’s cabinets tomorrow. All will be finished by Friday. The silestone man comes on Monday to measure both countertops. Then we just have to wait for the counters to be made and installed. That should be about two to two and a half weeks. In the meantime, Chris and Josie might as well finish up on their staining. The countertop installation won’t be messy.”

  “Perfect timing. Their other job finishes up on Friday, and they can start staining on Monday. Thanks, guys, for an outstanding job.”

  Fiona went home to call Chris to make sure he and Josie would be able to start on Monday and get an estimate how long it would take to complete the staining. Once she had that, she phoned the team that would wash the walls down, scheduling them, and then the painter. She wanted to be sure there was no lag time when there wasn’t any work being done. She also phoned the moving brothers and alerted them to a large shipment of furniture and appliances that would be coming over from Oahu in less than two weeks. Giving them as much advanced notice as possible was always preferable.

  Early that afternoon, Ned came in from his golf game and told Fiona he had received a call from Mr. Tomoko and he and the prospective buyer would fly in on Tuesday of next week to view Mrs. Steinmetz’s property. He also wanted to hire George again to go along, in case there were more questions. “I’ll get in touch with both Mrs. Steinmetz and George, but I wanted to forewarn you because I think Mrs. Steinmetz might need your help on packing and sorting.”

  “This is bad timing. By next week, things will really be happening at Layla’s. Do you think the prospective buyer would be interested in keeping any furniture that Rebecca isn’t taking with her or selling?”

  “I’ll pose that question to Mr. Tomoko when I confirm all is set for next Tuesday. Maybe you should go through tagging those items that are available to go with the house, and that should be done prior to the Tuesday visit. You know how that works.”

  “I’m going to speak with Rebecca and see how things are coming along. I’ll tell her I’m going to bring someone with me to assist in all that has to be done. I’ll be upfront with her and tell her it will be added to our commission. It might be wise to go over this weekend and begin things. Do you think it would be out of line if I ask Annie if she wants to help? Rebecca knows her, and I’ll offer Annie $200 a day for her assistance.”

  “That’s a great idea, honey. Let me call Rebecca now and set up the Tuesday appointment, then you can talk with her about you and Annie coming this weekend.”

  Rebecca was thrilled about the Tuesday visit, grateful Fiona would be coming to assist and delighted to hear that Annie Boone might be joining them, and agreed to the added expense. Ned called and invited Annie and George to be their guests for dinner at a local restaurant, telling them he had a business proposition for them both.

  The restaurant was not known for great food but for ocean views and spectacular sunsets that tourists imagined when they conjured up visions of Hawaii. The orange-red sun was dipping into the horizon as the two couples enjoyed the brilliant display that played out most evenings on the islands.

  “Ned, your invitation was intriguing with the mention of a business proposition for us both,” said George.

  “Got a call from Mr. Tomoko today. He and his prospective buyer from LA will be flying in on Tuesday to inspect Rebecca’s property,
and he has asked that you join the group, at the same fee.”

  “Great, I have no problem about earning another $500,” said George with his usual grin.

  “What about me?” asked Annie.

  “That’s my idea,” chimed in Fiona, “I’m going to be helping Rebecca get things sorted, tagged what goes and what stays, and begin her packing. I told her I wanted to hire someone to assist me, and I thought that since you two knew each other, you might want the job. It pays $200 a day, and it could go on for a week or more.”

  “Are you kidding? Count me in. Besides earning the money, I truly like Rebecca and would love to sort through that place,” Annie said.

  “Wonderful! It’s all settled. The Keller-Boone team will be on the job,” exclaimed Fiona.

  CHAPTER 70

  On Friday morning, Annie was on the lanai waiting for Fiona to return from her morning run. Seeing her coming down the hill, she got up and went across the street to meet her.

  “You didn’t run today?” Fiona asked, panting.

  “No, I only run every other day, and I ran early Thursday before it got too warm. Do you run every day?”

  “No, just when I overeat, and I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. Let’s go inside. I need water.”

  “Fine,” Annie said, looking at Fiona quizzically.

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, I’m still drinking my coffee,” Annie said, holding up her mug. “Fiona, I hope you won’t be insulted, but there’s something out of kilter with your left breast.”

  “Oh good lord!” Fiona reached into the left cup of her sports bra and pulled a Derringer cradled in a small leather holster. “I just got this new hideout holster, and I haven’t softened it up properly. Can’t have everyone know I’m carrying. That negates the purpose.”

  Annie, looking shocked, said, “You carry a gun when you jog?”

  “No, I carry a hideout Derringer with me wherever I or we go. I got into the habit after the Okamoto murders. You see, I happen to agree with the sheriff. I believe it was a crazy local, and God only knows we have our share. Until or if that individual is apprehended, I will be, as they say, packing.”

  Fiona went to the refrigerator, dropped some ice into a glass, and added water. She then drank almost the whole glass, turned, and saw Annie sitting on the arm of the sofa, looking at her wide-eyed. “Annie, you must remember I was on the Italian Olympic shooting team. I know my way around guns, and once a week, I go into the hills to a friend’s place for target practice.”

  “But isn’t it illegal to carry a concealed weapon?”

  “Yes, but who’s going to look in my bra or the back of my pants?”

  “When we were out to dinner last night, did you have your gun?”

  “Sure, I had it strapped on my thigh.”

  “Does Ned know?”

  “Honey, we’ve been married for years. Believe me, he knows I have a gun hidden on me,” Fiona said, smiling.

  Annie took a deep breath, then said, “I spoke with Dee, the lady that makes the place mats. She and her daughter, DeeAnn, will meet you at the bank at two this afternoon. She will bring a set of red place mats and was flattered you wanted to review their work.”

  “Terrific, she will make an excellent addition. Have you ever heard of Scarves by Sasha?”

  “Yes, in fact, over the years, I’ve purchased a dozen or more of her wonderful creations. She does great lightweight painted island-themed scarves but also ones depicting holidays, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, July 4, Valentines, etc. I wore those to class and the kids loved them. When I retired, I sent a lot of them to my daughter, who also teaches, and she’s gotten the same reaction from her classroom. There were quite a few teachers who wore Sasha’s scarves.”

  “How come I never saw her scarves?”

  “I can only surmise that the stores you purchase your clothes from are too high-end for her scarves.”

  “Oh, you have a point there,” said Fiona. “Anyway, she’s coming at three this afternoon, and she will make the final addition to the team. What a relief to have all the craft vendors in place. Now I’ll have an orientation and scheduling meeting, like you and George had. I was hoping I could use your outline.”

  “No problem. Come over, talk with George, tell him what type of scheduling table you will need, and he can set up one for you easily. We can write an orientation program also. It won’t need to be as complicated as the one we presented. Are you going to use a cash register or a cash drawer and give receipts?”

  “I never thought of that. I’ll talk with Donnie and get that settled. These damn little things are such a pain,” said Fiona with a frown.

  “Well, I better get back home and let you clean up. I know everything will go great today, and you’ll have all your crafters.”

  “I hope so, and please don’t tell anyone about my Derringer.”

  “No, I won’t even tell George. He would be staring at your bosom, backside, or thighs trying to figure out where it was hidden. He would make an ass out of himself.”

  Shortly after one, Fiona went to the bank and saw Donnie and the sheriff talking in Donnie’s office. She walked in and said, “If this is business, I don’t want to interrupt, but if it’s just boy talk, I have a problem at the Visitors Center and I need Donnie’s assistance.”

  “No, no, Fiona, the sheriff and we were just shooting the breeze. Please come in, sit down, and let me see how I can tackle your problem,” Donnie said with a smile.

  “Fiona, take my chair. I have to get back out on patrol. Hope all is well with you and Ned?”

  “Yes, everything is fine, Sheriff. I’m busy with the craft counter at the center and work is beginning to finish up at Layla’s. Ned and I are involved in the sale of Rebecca Steinmetz’s estate, and everything is coming together at once.”

  “I heard she might be selling her estate. Frankly, I’m glad. A lady her age should not be alone that far away from town. Hope she’s got a buyer with deep pockets. I heard she has a great deal of land,” the sheriff said inquiringly.

  “This buyer’s pockets are very deep. If he does purchase the estate, he will even be upgrading the property.”

  “More big money in the area always helps the economy,” said Donnie, smiling.

  “Will Mrs. Steinmetz be staying in Paia?”

  “No, Sheriff, she will move to Oahu to be close to her family.”

  “Good luck, Fiona, with all you have on your plate. See you around, Donnie.” The sheriff smiled and left Donnie’s office.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Donnie, the sheriff is doing a wonderful job, but for some reason, he just hits me the wrong way.”

  “Maybe he’s too folksy or something. What can I help you with?”

  “How are we going to handle the craft sales? Will we use a cash register or a cash drawer with receipts? I never thought of this until this morning.”

  “We will use a cash drawer and handwritten receipts. My past experience with people that are artsy gives me pause to even consider a cash register. They do not have the patience to learn the mechanical workings but are good receipt writers. We will also have a phone line installed so credit cards are usable. I put in orders for the phone lines. In fact, they will be installed next week. I’ll take care of getting receipt books, a proper cash drawer, bags, and popcorn paper for protective wrapping. The center will fund the cash drawer with $200 in working cash for making change, etc. How does that sound?”

  “Donnie, I’m so embarrassed. These are things I never thought of. Thank you for being on top of all this.”

  “I always planned to handle the business end of the crafts counter. All I wanted you to worry about was the selection of qualified crafters. I knew I could count on your good taste to bring the right crafters to the center.”

  “Thank you. How will we handle the daily cash
proceeds?”

  “The last crafter of the day should close out the drawer and leave $200 for the start of the next day. They will put the proceeds in a cash envelope, which I’ve already ordered, and give it to the night manager at the concession stand who will put it in the safe. The next morning someone from the bank, probably me, will stop by, pick up the cash receipts from both the crafters and the concession stand, take it to the bank, have it tallied up, and deposited. At the end of the month, a check will be written to each crafter for the sale of their products, with 12 percent going to the center. I hope you’ve explained about the 12 percent fee when you spoke with each individual crafter?”

  “Yes, and all were fine with the 12 percent. They thought it was quite reasonable, considering what some of them pay for display space in the local stores or at craft fairs.”

  Ned and Fiona were eating leftover lasagna and green salad, Fiona was jubilant that she had secured the final crafters and was pleased Donnie was taking care of the business end of the craft counter.

  “I’m glad everyone is lined up and that George and Annie are going to help with your scheduling and orientation. What time are you and Annie leaving for Mrs. Steinmetz’s tomorrow morning?”

  “We talked it over earlier today and decided we would leave here at eight tomorrow morning. That should give us a full day working with Rebecca. I hope she isn’t one of those sentimental types who have to tell a story about every piece she examines, no time for that.”

  “Well, honey, if anyone can get her going on the right path, I have faith in your ability,” Ned said with a knowing smile.

  * * *

  At four thirty Saturday afternoon, Fiona and Annie left the Steinmetz estate. Fiona hit a small rut in the road. “Damn, that hurt! Every muscle and bone in my body is sore. I haven’t done that much manual labor since Ned and I moved from Oahu to Maui. How do you feel?”

  Annie turned her head slowly toward Fiona and said softly, “I feel like shit.”

  “If Annie Boone said shit, then I shall assume you are hurting as bad as I am.”