Maui Murders

by Kathy Callahan

“Don’t worry, Mom. Agnes is hovering when I’m not there.”

  “Good,” said Elizabeth, walking between Dewey and Layla, holding each of their hands as they made their way to the SUV.

  When Layla and Dewey were alone, Layla turned to Dewey. “I thought we were going to wait until the right time to tell your mom about the baby. You blurted it right out.”

  “Sorry, sugar. Guess I got a case of fatherly pride. It just flew out of my mouth. Are you mad at me?”

  “No, I was shocked but grateful she took it all so well.”

  “You and me both. Sometimes Mom can be a bit judgmental.”

  CHAPTER 99

  Early Friday evening, the wedding planner and all the participants were having a rehearsal. The wedding planner asked Layla who was going to walk her down the aisle. A short trip though it may be, she felt Layla should be escorted.

  Layla looked wide-eyed, then scanned the room. “There he is.” Layla walked over to Ned. “I know you have two sons, and you probably never expected to walk a bride-to-be down the aisle, but would you be so kind as to escort me to Dewey?”

  Ned beamed at Layla. He stood up and locked her arm through his. “My dear lady, it would be my pleasure.”

  “This is so lovely,” said Fiona softly.

  The rehearsal went well, and afterward, Dewey took everyone out to dinner.

  As the harpist played a soft rendition of “Here Comes the Bride,” a smiling Ned brought Layla down the aisle to Dewey. Vows and rings were exchanged. The reception dinner was lovely; when all the guests had departed, everyone else moved to the living room and began talking about a variety of subjects.

  Fiona asked, “Are you two going on a honeymoon?”

  “We’ve talked about that, but we both agreed we would be happiest staying home and getting settled into married life. Plus, we have a nursery to put together.”

  “I’m still plagued by morning sickness, and a honeymoon while being sick each morning doesn’t sound like fun. I’ll be happy here, and let’s face it, the holidays aren’t too far away.”

  “Don’t mention that. The boys will be home for the holidays, and we haven’t moved into our new home yet,” said Fiona.

  “Honey, if everything didn’t need to be perfect, we would have moved several weeks ago.”

  “I’ve spent my whole career making other people’s homes ready for them to move into, I can at least do that for us. Anyway, I figure, at the most, three weeks by the time we get back, we should be moved. Then I’ll stage our old place and you can put it on the market.”

  “How many homes will that leave you to sell?”

  “Mr. Soo’s and Otis’s homes are in escrow. The sale of your home and Layla’s is complete. That leaves the Boones’ and ours, once I get it on the market. Then hopefully, I can retire again and get back to my golf, which, I might add, has begun to suffer.”

  “Have you had any interest in Annie’s and George’s home?” asked Layla.

  “No, it’s a great property and the price is extremely low, but because of the publicity, it may take a year or so to sell. I hope it can be sold without having to tear it down, then I would sell a beachfront lot. That’s the last consideration if it doesn’t sell after a couple of years,” said Ned.

  “I hope that can be avoided,” said Layla.

  Early Tuesday afternoon, Ned and Fiona left for Maui. Fiona made Layla a promise that she and Ned would be out of their old home in three weeks.

  Dewey’s mom left the next day for California after getting a promise from Layla that she would call her if she needed her help when the baby came. Otherwise, she would visit about a month after the birth.

  “We flew home in the luxury of a private jet, and I still feel drained,” said Fiona, dropping down on the sofa. “Just leave the luggage in the bedroom, I’ll put things away tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow I meet with the buyers for Otis’s property to get that finalized. That’s a huge undertaking with a consortium and lots of money changing hands.”

  “Tomorrow I’m going to take Annie’s dress to the dry cleaners, have it cleaned, and put in a storage bag. I enjoyed wearing it for Annie, and I thought it went well with my coloring.”

  “You looked absolutely beautiful. I was very proud of you.”

  “I’m anxious to get a set of the proofs from the wedding. I want to make sure we have a picture of you walking Layla down the aisle, one of me in Annie’s dress, and one of the entire wedding party. I thought it was a lovely simple wedding in a beautiful setting. I certainly never imagined Dewey having such a magnificent home.”

  “He’s a very rich man, surely you had to assume he lived in something other than a log cabin,” Ned said, laughing.

  “I imagine it’s my perception of Salt Lake City and perhaps Utah in general. All I ever knew about it was the Grand Canyon, wilderness, and rock formations, and the photos Annie, George, and Layla showed us were of the trailer and the outdoors. After briefly seeing Salt Lake City, I’ll have to adjust my thinking.”

  “You should call Gus Schwartz tomorrow and see if there are any furniture pieces ready to ship. If not, call your outlets and have them get a move on. I really do want to be out of here within three weeks. I want to get this home on the market.”

  “I had already planned to phone Gus and, if necessary, light a fire under some furniture salespeople. I don’t like living as a minimalist. I keep looking for things that we’ve already taken to our new home. I want to get in our new home as much as you do. I’ve got to start working on our Christmas card list. I was hoping to reduce our current list of over two hundred, but since we seem to have gotten back into the real estate business, I’m going to have to enlarge the list. That, plus holiday shopping usually takes me several months. I’m wearing myself out just thinking of everything.”

  The last week at their old home was going by quickly.

  “Honey, is the last box to go out tonight?”

  “That’s the last big box. I have a few kitchen items I want to drop off. It won’t take us long to get these things put away, then over to Bird’s. I can’t wait for one of his big steaks. These piecemeal dinners in order to clean out the fridge has left me hungry for a hearty meal.”

  “Me too. I feel like celebrating the close of Otis’s property. What a load off my mind.”

  “Sweetheart, you’re going to make a huge commission on Otis’s property. When we get settled, maybe we should think of going on a luxury vacation.”

  “Fiona, I would like nothing more, but let’s at least get our home sold first. I don’t believe the Boones’ home is going to move for about a year. Not until people forget and only see a great beachfront property at a great price.”

  “When are you going to put the sign out for our home?”

  “Since the brothers are moving the few items we are taking with us on Monday, I’ll put the sign up on Tuesday and have ads in the papers this coming weekend. Just think, sugar, our last weekend in our old home. Any regrets?”

  “No, because every time I look across the street, my heart sinks. Annie and George are gone. Dewey and Layla are in Salt Lake City and won’t be back along with our dear Mr. Soo. I feel like we are stuck here all by ourselves. We, too, need to move on.”

  “That’s exactly how I feel. I’ll put this box in the car, and you can hand me the last box.”

  “Be careful taking that box. It is heavier than you think.”

  Just as Fiona warned Ned, he bumped into the screen, knocking it off track.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll put it back on after I get this box in the car.”

  “I warned you,” Fiona said, following Ned downstairs with her small box of items.

  Ned came back upstairs and worked on the screen, trying to get it placed correctly on the track. “This damned thing is obstinate, but I think I’ve got it now.”

  Ned s
lid the screen close, emitting a high-pitched screech.

  “My god, Ned, fix that. It sounds like nails scraping on a blackboard.”

  “It closes so we can lock up. Let’s leave it for tonight and I’ll fix it tomorrow. I think the track need to be cleaned out or something. I can see it better in the morning light, and besides, I’m really getting hungry.”

  “I guess that will be fine as long as the few neighbors remaining can live with a screech when we get home tonight.”

  “Well, they’ll have to. I’ll fix it tomorrow morning for sure.”

  Ned and Fiona left their home after locking up. They drove to their new home, put the items in the boxes away, and went to Bird’s to enjoy dinner.

  EPILOGUE

  The Killer

  On the way home, he stopped at a three-way stoplight. He sat in the right lane, window down, arm resting out the open window. A car pulled next to him in the left-turn lane. He glanced over and noticed Fiona Keller sitting in the passenger’s seat. She looked over at the same time, noticing him.

  “Good evening, Ms. Fiona.”

  “Good evening.”

  “I expect you folks will be moving soon?”

  “This is our last weekend. We move on Monday. We’ve just taken some boxes over to our new home and are headed to Bird’s for a steak dinner.”

  “Well, I’m glad you folks are moving on. I imagine it’s been difficult for you to live across the street from the Boone home. There goes our light. You be careful now,” he said and drove forward as the Kellers made their left turn.

  “This is the night. That bitch has eluded me for the last time. I’ll give myself two hours to get everything set and tuck myself into Joe Wong’s carport. The murders at the Boone house slowed his rentals for this season. Good for me. It’s working out perfectly,” he mused out loud.

  Once home, he checked the Tasers in his duffel bag to make sure they were charged, then made sure his action gear was packed. He left his place and went around to Baldwin, turned down the side street with his lights off, and quietly backed into the Wong’s carport. He unloaded the Tasers from the duffel and put them on the back of his belt. He had his duffel at hand so he could grab it easily.

  They were gone longer than he had anticipated, but when he saw them turn down the street and into their driveway, he slowly moved forward. He saw Ned put the car in the garage and Fiona wait for him to close the garage door. They walked upstairs together; he unlocked the screen door and pushed it open.

  “My god, the noise, sounds like two male cats fighting over a female in heat,” he mumbled.

  Fiona said something to Ned, and then they both went inside, and Ned locked the screen door but left the slider open, letting fresh air into the house. He checked to make sure no cars were coming, no one was out walking a dog or generally being on foot, then he made his way across the street and up the stairs to the Kellers. He could hear the shower running. He saw Ned and rapped on the screen.

  Ned walked toward the screen and opened it. “Is there a problem?”

  “Yes, and I could use your help. May I come in?”

  “Sure,” he said, stepping back into the room.

  Quickly, he brought the Taser out, and before Ned could make a move, he was hit in the chest with the charge. His body slumped to the floor but was caught and sat in the love seat to be arranged later.

  The Kellers

  When Ned and Fiona arrived home and unlocked the front screen, they both jumped at the screech.

  “I’m going to take a shower. I got overheated with all that dancing. You go ahead and lock up,” Fiona said, going into the bedroom.

  She took off her dress and shoes, then walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Reaching into her bra, she unhooked her Beretta holster hidden between her underarm and breast. She laid it on the cabinet top and placed a towel over it to keep out any moisture. As she was ready to step out of her panties, she heard the screech of the screen. She wasn’t sure with the shower running but thought she better check with Ned; that was too much noise for this time of night. Because she was in the habit of always having her Beretta with her, she unconsciously grabbed the towel and gun. She left the bathroom through the bedroom and into the hallway to the living room.

  “You! What the hell have you done to my Ned?” Fiona said, her eyes wide at the sight of Ned slumped in the love seat with Taser wires still embedded in his chest.

  “Now, Fiona, don’t get excited,” he said, reaching behind his back to find the second Taser.

  “Hold it right there,” Fiona said and took her shooting stance.

  “You look mighty sexy in those skimpy undies,” he said, smiling, hoping to distract her.

  “I said stop right there.”

  He didn’t stop. He drew the Taser out and took aim at Fiona.

  Fiona dropped the towel, aimed quickly, and fired.

  Her shot hit him directly between the eyes; he dropped the Taser, fell to his knees, then backward onto the floor.

  Fiona stepped over the sheriff and rushed to Ned. “Oh, Ned, honey, stay with me. Look at me, please, Ned.”

  Fiona felt for a pulse and found one. She got up and dialed 911, saying, “This is Fiona Keller.” She gave her address. “I’ve shot and killed the Paia murderer after he Tasered my husband Ned. You need to send the police and an ambulance immediately.”

  She hung up to go back to Ned’s side.

  Five minutes later, Danny came rushing up the stairs and into the house. “My god, Fiona, that’s the sheriff lying on your floor. You shot him between the eyes.”

  “Damn right I did, after he Tasered Ned and had that other Taser out and was ready to hit me. That son of a bitch is our murderer.”

  “Oh lord, how could this be?” said Danny. “I’ve got to call the main office. The ambulance is coming. Fiona, I suggest you put some clothes on. You don’t want to be seen in your panties and bra.”

  “Thank you, Danny. I forgot that’s all I had on. I’ll do that right now. I’m going in the ambulance with Ned, and don’t even think of stopping me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The EMTs arrived and began working on Ned. They decided to leave the wires on and have them removed in the emergency room. They gave him some oxygen, and he started to come around.

  Fiona dressed, came back into the room, and rushed to Ned’s side. “Honey, you’re awake. Thank God, I was so scared.”

  “Mrs. Keller, we need to get him to the hospital. You can come along in the ambulance.”

  Before they left, Danny gave the EMTs and the Kellers strict instructions not to divulge anything they had seen. The scene and circumstances must be kept under wraps for the time being.

  At the hospital, Fiona was asked to wait outside the emergency room and was joined by two detectives from Five-O. They asked her questions until the emergency room doctor came out to speak with her. He said Ned was coming around nicely and that she could take him home; however, he would have burn marks on his chest that would need to be attended to by using a salve and dressing twice a day. Fiona said she could do that without a problem. The detectives told her it was impossible for her to return home for several days. That was fine, she had no intentions of going home but planned to phone Four Seasons and get a suite. First, she had to go home and pack clothes and toiletries and would not take no for an answer.

  She called the hotel, securing a one-bedroom suite, then told the detectives they could drive her and Ned back to their home to pack. At this point, they realized they might just as well let her pack. She was a very determined lady.

  When they arrived back at their street, it was roped off; bright lights had been placed around her home and that of Joe Wong’s with the coroner’s van parked in their driveway.

  Fiona told the detectives the van would have to be moved so she could use their car to drive to the h
otel. She packed quickly, loaded the car, then Ned was helped into the car.

  When Ned was securely in bed, Fiona went out to their patio, surprised to see the sun slowly rising. She got out her cell phone and made the only call she would make for now.

  When Agnes answered, she asked to speak with Dewey. “Dewey, I’m glad it’s Saturday, and you’re home. I have some unbelievable news to tell you, but I must warn you, I’ve been told I’m not to say a word to anyone. You must keep this between you folks. You’ll understand once I tell you what’s happened.”

  After relating the entire story to Dewey, he said, “Fiona, you’re amazing. You saved both Ned and yourself. And you’ve killed a monster. I simply can’t believe that he could have done such terrible things. He must have snapped somewhere along the line. This is hard for me to comprehend.”

  “Me too, Dewey. I’m going to hang up now, I’m exhausted. I just thank God my Ned is alive.”

  It took four weeks for the Kellers to get settled in their new home. Both their sons had rushed home to be with them during the days after Ned’s injury. Fiona no longer felt the need to wear a concealed weapon.

  The Investigation

  There was no doubt the about sheriff’s guilt. Upon inspection of his trailer, the charcoal from the Boones’ and the bell that hung over the Okamotos’ door was found. The head of the Maui Sheriff’s Office deferred to Five-O because investigating one of their own, even thought he was not officially on the payroll but paid by the local citizens, was not allowed.

  Five-O tried to keep a news blackout on events, but a reporter from a network news channel got someone to tell them it was the local sheriff who was the Paia murderer. Then all hell broke loose. There were newspeople coming over from the mainland. Because the news did not break until the evening, Hawaii time, it didn’t make network stations until the following morning.

  It did, however, make the early edition of the Fox Cable News Channel. They flashed a photo of the sheriff with a brief story and promised more news would follow as soon as their reporter from Oahu got to Maui.