Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

  “How are you and Ned doing, Fiona?”

  “This horrible tragedy is just beginning to become a reality for us. Ned and I talked last night. Too much bad has happened too close to home. We decided we are going to sell our home. We could not bear to look across and see Annie and George’s home, knowing their fate.”

  “You’re not going to leave Paia?”

  “No, Paia is our home. We’ll just find somewhere else to live. Please don’t mention this to anyone else.”

  “You have my word, Fiona, it will stay between us. You take care and let everyone else know you all are in our prayers.”

  “Thank you, Donnie, for calling, and I’ll pass on your regards.”

  After Donnie called, Fiona passed along his sentiments, then pulled Dewey aside to tell him about selling Layla’s charcoals.

  “My gosh, that’s it! That’s what was missing from the Boones’, the charcoal Layla did for them on our trip together. I’ll tell the detectives. I can’t help but wonder if the murderer didn’t take it as a souvenir.”

  “That’s sick, Dewey.”

  “Whoever committed these murders is sick.”

  When the detectives arrived, they requestioned everyone. After several hours, Dewey suggested Layla go and lay down. Once she was in the bedroom with the door closed, Dewey explained to the detectives about the missing charcoal.

  “I believe the murderer took it as a souvenir.”

  “Why do you think that, sir?”

  “As Annie and I told the sheriff, after the Okamoto murders, someone took the overhead doorbell that rang each time someone opened the screen door to come into the market. It was there when I went in after the Okamotos came home, and it was gone when Annie discovered the bodies the next morning. I know Annie and I both mentioned it to the sheriff.”

  “We’ll recheck our notes from the Okamoto file. It does appear you may be correct in your assumption about souvenir taking.”

  Everyone sat on the lanai after dinner and watched another perfect sunset.

  “Fiona, Dewey and I talked about this earlier. Could you please call Wade and tell him the house is his? We can’t live there anymore. I’m assuming he’ll still want to buy it. If not, just put in on the market,” said Layla.

  “I’ll do that, and since neither he nor Herb were close to the Boones, I don’t think there will be a problem for them living there. Ned and I talked about the same subject, and we’re going to sell also.”

  “If you and Ned are leaving and Dewey and Layla won’t be back, I do not know how I could stay in my home either. There’s too much sorrow on that street,” said Mr. Soo. “I’ll contact my sons and see if they want to keep my home for a retreat from Oahu or if they prefer for me to sell. I have no idea where I’ll live. I hate the thought of going back to Oahu, too many people there. I am accustomed to the quiet life of Paia.”

  “Mr. Soo, our estate in Salt Lake City is huge. In fact, there is a wing that we don’t even use. We could open that up, and you could live there for as long as you want. Agnes is an excellent cook, and there are a lot of fast-food restaurants nearby. I don’t know if you would like the cold weather, but there is plenty of open space to walk.”

  “This is something interesting for me to consider. Where I grew up in China, winters were brutal. I am accustomed to cold and snow.”

  “Come with us, Mr. Soo. You are like family to both of us,” pleaded Layla.

  “Give me a day to ponder the idea, but it is very appealing.”

  “Ned, Fiona, my dad built a home about three-fourths a mile from the main estate. He and Mom were going to live there. It was finished and they were ready to move when Dad had a sudden heart attack and died. You folks are welcome to live there for as long as you like. It has three bedrooms, plenty of rooms for your sons to visit.”

  “Dewey, that’s a generous offer, but Fiona could not live in cold weather, and I’m not sure I could either. Thank you. Your offer means so much to us both.”

  The next morning the sheriff phoned and spoke with Dewey. “I wanted to tell you the police tape has been removed from the area, except for around the Boones’ home. Your home, the Kellers’, and Mr. Soo’s are accessible.”

  “Thank you for letting us know. However, we’ll be staying here until we leave for Salt Lake City. Layla is simply not up to returning there. In fact, she has instructed Fiona to contact Wade as he had expressed interest in purchasing the home if we ever wanted to sell.”

  “I’m sure sorry to hear that, Dewey. Having you folks as part of our community was a good thing, and I personally enjoyed your company. You will be missed.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff, but although she seems pretty tough, Layla is too fragile to continue to live in Paia, even on a part-time basis.”

  “By the way, the Boones’ son will be arriving tomorrow. Their lawyer informed me this morning their estate was in excellent order, leaving their son as executor. Donnie will speak with him. Because of their wide influence on so many people, he is going to suggest that funeral services be conducted in the high school gymnasium. Between George’s and Annie’s work, their interests after retiring, and their many friends in Paia, there will be hundreds wanting to attend.”

  “If approved by the family, I would like to say a few words at the service. Maybe you could give him my phone number here, and I’ll speak with him at his convenience.”

  “I’ll be glad to do that, and I’m sure your words will be welcome.”

  Later that morning, Kyle phoned and asked Dewey if he could meet him to could get their things. Kim was being transferred to a hospital in Oahu; he still had not come out of his catatonic state. After a few days, if there was no improvement, Kyle was going to charter a plane to take Kim back to Washington, DC. Dewey arranged to meet Kyle that afternoon.

  Kyle was waiting on the back steps. “How’s Layla doing?”

  Dewey was shocked to see him; he looked as though he had aged ten years. “She’s coping. Ned, Fiona, and Mr. Soo are with us. We have a huge suite at the Four Seasons. None of us wanted to stay in the area. Layla and I won’t be coming back here at all. We’re making arrangements to sell. Ned and Fiona will stay in Paia but will move to another location, and Mr. Soo is also leaving the area.”

  “So much sadness in such a small area.”

  While Kyle packed their luggage, Dewey began cleaning out the refrigerator. It was a way to kill the time without thinking too much.

  Before Kyle left, he told Dewey he would let them know how Kim was doing and check on Layla. Dewey took the trash to the cans in the garage. He paused, remembering how George had managed to stuff all three cans and a dolly into the Escalade, along with a ton of other things Layla had bought for their home. Such a short time ago, now everyone’s world had changed, and George and Annie were gone.

  After dinner, everyone sat on the lanai. Mr. Soo said he had reached a decision, and he would take Dewey and Layla up on their offer to join them in Salt Lake City. Layla jumped up, ran over, and gave him a tearful hug.

  Fiona told them she had phoned Wade, and he was thrilled Layla was offering him her home. He would accept, just name a price. Layla asked Fiona to come up with a fair price and figure in a commission. Fiona said she and Ned would handle everything; she also mentioned that Wade and Herb would be selling their current home. It was farther down the beach in a quieter area of Paia away from the center of town. It was a lovely home with many custom features added by both Wade and Herb. She and Ned were seriously considering purchasing that home for them to live in; it was actually larger than their current home. Fiona said that would work well, as she envisioned her sons marrying and bringing wives and grandchildren for visits.

  Ned said he and Fiona discussed things, and they would be returning home the day after tomorrow. There were a lot of details to attend to, and they both wanted to get to work on the sale of Layla’s home
.

  CHAPTER 91

  Dewey sat alone on the lanai, having a second cup of coffee. The butler had fixed breakfast for everyone, and after that, Ned and Fiona, all packed, left to go back to their home. Mr. Soo was off to explore the lush tropical grounds. Late the previous afternoon, he had met an older couple from China and had arranged to have lunch with them at one of the outdoor restaurants. After lunch, they were taking a walking tour of the tropical plant life offered at the hotel.

  He phoned his home in Salt Lake City and spoke with Ted. “Ted, I’m going to send a plane for you and Agnes, and I would like you to join us for Annie’s and George’s funeral services. You can assist in helping get Layla’s things packed. We will not be coming back to Paia. Now I have some great news. Have Agnes get on the extension.”

  “She’s already listening.”

  “Our dear friend, Mr. Soo—you’ve heard me talk fondly of him many times—will be coming to live with us. He is no longer comfortable living so close to where both the murders happened. Plus, he and Layla have developed a wonderful closeness. It will be good for both of them. I thought maybe we could open up the unused wing for him, and, Agnes, he’s a connoisseur of fried foods, so you can ply him with all the fried foods you want.”

  “Is he in good health? Will he have any medical problems?”

  “No, he’s spry and walks miles each day. I was worried how he would adapt to the cold weather, but that is not a problem. He grew up in an area of China that has intense winters. He’s looking forward to going to different drive-through restaurants for lunch. We will have to hire another full-time employee to help with the upkeep, but I believe it’s well worth it. Layla and I love this elderly gentleman.”

  “Good lord, are you kidding? He likes fast food. He and Ted should get along just fine. Dewey, he will be warmly welcomed by both of us. Ted and I always wanted this house full of people.”

  “Thank you, Agnes, and will you bring my lightweight medium gray suit, white shirt, proper dress shoes, and that black-and-white diagonal-striped tie. I will be speaking at the funeral service.”

  “Of course, do you know how long we’ll be staying so I can determine how much to pack?”

  “Not really but no more than two weeks. There is an empty master bedroom suite here in our suite of rooms, and you will be staying here. You’ll get to know Mr. Soo. He’s here too. Fiona and Ned just left to go back to their home. Agnes, we even have a chef and butler service. Think you can handle that?”

  “You’re going to spoil her, Dewey, with all that high-class help.”

  “Good, I deserve to be spoiled, now and then. Dewey, let us know the date you want us to leave, and we’ll be on our way. Will you meet us in Maui?”

  “Yes, I’ll meet you at the airport. It will be a day before the pilots can be ready to go once I get in touch with them. They will have to wait a day before they can return to Maui, so three, four days at the most before you’re here. Will that be OK?

  “We’ll be ready. Just let us know the exact date and time.”

  “I’m going to pack that plane full on the return trip with as much of Layla’s and Mr. Soo’s things as we can get on board. I’ll have them fly the big plane over. It will give us more space. You folks can use the bedroom to take a nap before you get to Maui.”

  “What a treat!” said Agnes.

  “You two deserve it. You’ve spoiled me for years. I’ll get back with you as soon as I know exact dates.”

  Dewey phoned his pilots and told them what he needed. They said they would call him back with the date of departure and return. Dewey went to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. “Layla, are you awake?”

  “Yes, is something wrong?”

  “No, honey, just some news. I’ve phoned Agnes and Ted and arranged for them to join us here. They will help you and Mr. Soo pack, and they will also be attending the funeral. Layla, I want you to go with me to the airport to greet them when they arrive. Do you think you can do that? It would mean a great deal to me.”

  “Yes, I can manage that. I’ll be glad to see them both, especially Agnes. Thank you for having them join us.”

  The next afternoon the butler announced a call from Mr. Charlie Boone.

  Dewey took the phone. “Charlie, I hate having to get acquainted with you under these horrible circumstances, but I’m glad you’ve called. Any word yet on when the services will be held?”

  “Dewey, our family is in your debt for handling things at the beginning. The sheriff told us what a good job you did in assisting him to get things in order until more police arrived. I know how difficult that must have been for you and poor Layla to have found our folks.” Charlie’s voice broke. “I’m sorry, I still have a hard time believing this has happened to Mom and Dad.”

  “Me too, Charlie, we loved those two and will miss them terribly.”

  “How is Layla holding up?”

  “She’s very quiet and what you might say closed in on herself. She needs time to heal. We’ll be leaving after the funeral and selling our Paia home. We can’t go back there now.”

  “The sheriff hasn’t given us a date when the bodies will be released. I’ve spoken with Donnie Munson, and he has suggested that the services be held in the high school gymnasium because of the great number of people expected to attend. He also mentioned that you would like to say a few words at the services. We welcome your words, and I know Mom and Dad would be happy that you will be speaking on their behalf.”

  “Thank you, Charlie. Are all of you staying here in Paia?”

  “I’m the only family member here currently. Since we didn’t know when the funeral would be held, my sister and her family and my wife and kids are staying home until we have a specific date. Putting everyone in a hotel, with all those young children, would be hard to handle while still tending to the necessities of a funeral.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. How are you doing? This has to be hard on you without anyone here.”

  “It’s very hard. I miss my wife. We are very close. I had a good role model in Mom and Dad.” Once again, Charlie’s voice broke.

  “Charlie, join us this Sunday for brunch here at the Four Seasons. It will give us a chance to meet, and I can share some of my thoughts with you about what I want to say at the services.”

  “Thank you, Dewey, I would like that.”

  Dewey gave Charlie their suite number and told him to come by any time after eleven Sunday morning. He told him they had their own chef and would eat brunch on their suite’s lanai. “Nothing fancy, be comfortable.”

  “Thank you again. I look forward to meeting you and Layla.”

  “Mr. Soo is staying with us too. You know him, right?”

  “Mr. Soo is with you? That’s wonderful. He would let me tag along with him on his walks, and sometimes, when we knew Mom wouldn’t catch us, we had a burger, fries, and malt at Otis’s. I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

  When Dewey finished his call, he told Layla about Charlie coming for brunch on Sunday. He stressed how important it would be for him to get away from Paia for a bit and how all alone he was. Layla cried for Charlie, feeling sorry for him being alone at this time.

  Dewey and Layla stood outside their car, waving as Ted and Agnes deplaned. Dewey walked up and hugged both of them. Agnes had a garment bag slung over her arm. “Dewey, here are the clothes you requested.”

  “Thank you, Agnes. Ted, let’s you I and get your luggage loaded. Agnes, Layla is waiting for you by the car.”

  Agnes walked to the car and embraced Layla. “Honey, I’m so sorry this had to happen to you. You simply do not deserve all this sorrow in your young life. You let me know if there is anything I can do to help you through this terrible ordeal.”

  “Agnes, having you here is a big help,” Layla said.

  When they entered the suite, both Ted and Agnes sto
pped abruptly, taking in the magnificent view, the plush furnishings, and the hugeness of the suite.

  Dewey moved them along to their bedroom. He opened the double doors and ushered them into their suite.

  “Holy cow, look at that view and the size of this room,” said Ted, amazement in his voice.

  “Ted, come see this bathroom. There is a steam shower and a Jacuzzi. Is this a sauna?”

  “Yes, there is one in each of the master bedroom. They are terrific, really takes the kinks out. I’m spoiled. I’ll be having one installed in our bath back in Salt Lake City. Let me know if you like using it. I’ll put one in your bathroom too.”

  Agnes turned slowly and looked at Dewey. “Huh, will do,” she said hesitantly.

  “I guess you had lunch on the plane. Our chef is fixing fresh fish for dinner tonight, and as soon as Mr. Soo gets in from his afternoon hike, you’ll meet him. I’ll let you unpack. If there is anything you need, just ask. Oh, and there is a fully stocked fridge in the kitchen, beer, sodas, water. There is one of those coffee machines where you just drop a gizmo in and get a cup of coffee. Anything, just let us know.”

  “Thank you, Dewey. I think Ted and I are in semishock. We need to get unpacked.”

  “Agnes, come look. We have a huge patio off our bedroom with an ocean view.”

  “My god, Ted. I don’t believe this!”

  Dewey left the room and shut the door behind him. He smiled at the joy Ted and Agnes was experiencing.

  An hour before dinner, Agnes and Ted emerged from their room. Agnes wore a peasant blouse and a bright print skirt; Ted was in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.

  “It didn’t take you two long to get into the spirit of the islands,” said Layla, smiling.

  “We had to do a bit of serious shopping in Salt Lake City, but we found a store that specialized in Hawaiian things.”

  Mr. Soo came down the stairs from his loft room.

  “Agnes, Ted, let me introduce you to our Mr. Soo.”