Primitive Flame

by Lakes, Lynde

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lani returned to her desk and stared at the Conference In Session sign outside the meeting room. Cort’s flinty voice rose, yet his words filtered indistinguishably through the door. She tried not to think about her argument with him, or what he might be saying to Chinn. Would Chinn fire her? She’d counted on working here longer than this. She decided to think positive. After all, Chinn would understand that she didn’t know about his involvement in the project. Cort was her big problem. From the beginning, she’d known their romance would be over when he learned she’d taken action against his project. So why did his reaction hurt so much?

  At quitting time, the door remained closed, sounds within frighteningly muted. Lani dialed Grandfather’s number. When he answered, she said, “Kupuna kane, I’m working late. Go ahead with your dinner. I’ll eat in town.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to work late. I have a little surprise for you.” Love rang in his voice, soothing her hurt.

  Oh heck. Tomorrow morning would be soon enough to face Chinn.

  “I’ve changed my mind. I’m coming home now. Shall I pick up something at Foodland for dinner?”

  “No way. I netted some shrimp. Tempura sound good?”

  Lani forced an enthusiastic tone. “Perfect. See you in about forty-five minutes.” She covered the word processor and grabbed her purse.

  Freeway traffic was bumper to bumper. It would take longer than her estimated forty-five minutes to get home—and give her far too much time to wonder about the lengthy meeting. Did it take Cort that long to convince Chinn and the landowners to fire her? Cort had every right to be angry, but he didn’t have to shout at her the way he did. The close-down shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise. She’d warned him she would stop the construction. A gnawing little voice told her that was part of the problem. He’d never believed she’d do it. Or that she could do it. Along with all the other problems she’d caused, she’d struck a blow to his ego. The mighty construction boss had been brought to his knees by a mere woman. Or maybe what irked him was that she turned out not to be so mere. Her flash of anger peaked with an instant of triumph.

  Then crashed.

  Loss swelled within her until she thought she’d double over with the pain. She tried to blink back the tears that followed. Not so easily stopped, they dampened her cheeks. She swiped at them with the back of her hand, then turned the radio volume all the way up to blast away her low spirits.

  An hour later, Lani pulled around the dirt circle in front of the house and saw Grandfather sitting on the front steps alone waiting for her. So, who owned the shiny black pickup truck in the driveway?

  For Grandfather’s sake, Lani put on a bright smile as she climbed out of the car. “Hi, Kupuna kane.”

  He came toward her, grinning from ear to ear. “Like my new truck?”

  “That’s yours? It’s great.” The hurt in her heart kept her from sounding very convincing. Enthusiastic or not, she was happy for him. He deserved a new toy. “What a nice surprise.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not it. The surprise is I’m giving you my car.”

  “What? I don’t believe it! That’s so sweet, but you don’t have to do that.” She blinked back tears of gratitude. “I planned to get a car for myself in the next week or so.” That is, if I still have a job tomorrow.

  Grandfather beamed. “Now there’s no hurry. With the new battery, it’ll make a good work car for you until you’re ready for something better.”

  “Thank you. I love the car. But I feel like I sort of took it away from you.”

  Grandfather stood back and admired his truck. “Not so. You just gave me an excuse to buy this dream machine.” He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped at a speck of dust on the fender. “I moved the picnic table under the flame tree. I thought we could eat out here tonight.”

  “Let me change into my shorts, and I’ll help fix dinner.”

  “Everything’s ready. I just have to dump the battered shrimp into the hot oil.” His muddy eyes brightened. “But once you’re changed, you can help me carry out the food and a pitcher of tea.” He waggled his bushy brows. “After dinner, I’ll take you for a ride through Waikiki to show off my truck. We can get ice cream or rainbow shave-ice on the way back.”

  Lani placed a kiss on his fleshy cheek. “Going for a ride in your truck is just the medicine I need.”

  “Rough day, Mo’opuna wahine?” Grandfather’s eyes softened with concern.

  “One of the worst! But, I’m feeling better now.”

  “During dinner, you can tell me all about it.”

  “I’d rather forget the whole thing, at least for tonight.” She didn’t want to discuss her run in with Cort until she’d had time to think it through. Besides, she’d only dampen Grandfather’s mood and spoil his fun with his new truck. Plenty of time to tell him after she found out if she still had a job.

  Grandfather stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. “Whatever you say, honey.”

  After dinner, they stacked the dishes in the dishwasher and headed for Waikiki. Grandfather grinned and turned the radio up as he approached Kalakaua Avenue. “Gotta get everyone’s attention. I want the world to see my new truck.”

  “Looks like our timing’s perfect,” Lani said, smiling. They joined an unscheduled parade of about fifteen fancy cars, trucks and vans that raised and lowered and rocked on their frames. The vehicles were part of the Concours D’elegance Competition where appearance and turnout counted. The crowd on the streets clapped, whistled and yelled at the spectacle.

  “I couldn’t have planned this better,” Grandfather said. “Imagine, getting to rev my stuff along with these guys.”

  Loud rock music blared from other vehicles and street-side lounges. Traffic inched along as the parade of shiny metal cruised the one-way strip.

  At a stoplight, Lani watched the milling crowds shouldering their way along the sidewalks, dressed mostly in shorts and bright aloha shirts, and drawn to Waikiki’s brightly lit streets by the sights and a lust for shopping.

  “Big month for tourists,” Grandfather said, revving his motor.

  Lani nodded, her attention on a tanned, bleach-haired man in white shorts using the crosswalk in front of them. The man’s hair was whitish rather than golden like Cort’s, and he had a large multicolored parrot on his shoulders. She’d seen him before. He was part of the local scene.

  The light changed, but Grandfather could only advance a few truck lengths due to the rubberneck traffic. Lani laughed as she caught sight of a monkey dressed in a hula skirt dancing as his master played a ukulele. This was the first time she’d seen the pair.

  She inhaled deeply. The aroma of macadamia nut cookies almost masked the exhaust fumes that filled the air. The smell reminded her of the night she and Cort had strolled the avenue and—

  “Feeling better, honey?” Grandfather asked.

  Lani smiled and nodded, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Cort. If only she’d told him about contacting Mr. Kohea. The first man she’d talked to had given her no hope. Then Dr. Millie suggested that she talk to the man’s supervisor, Mr. Kohea, a highly superstitious man who just might be willing to check the site for her. Kohea had listened without promising anything. Apparently he decided in her favor. If she’d known for sure he was going to stop the construction today, she would’ve prepared Cort.

  “Think your boss’ll let you take off work for about a week?”

  If she still had a job, it would be impossible. She was too new to take vacation. But if Chinn fired her… “Why do you ask?”

  Grandfather grinned. “How’d you like to take a little trip with me to San Francisco? I’m the guest speaker at a teachers’ convention.”

  Lani intended to tell him that she’d let him know tomorrow, but the throbbing heat of her lava stone necklace against her breast bone silenced her. She touched the stone, her trembling hand drawn to it like a magnet. Lani’s back stiffened in surprise. Suddenly, it wa
s as though the pulsating hunk of lava had made the decision for her. “I’d love to, but I can’t now.”

  “Is it your job?”

  Her throat was dry. “How did you guess?” It wasn’t just that. It was the dreams and the threat against Cort’s life. But it wouldn’t be fair to Grandfather to bring that up now and make him feel guilty for leaving.

  Grandfather darted a look at her. “I hate to leave you alone. But I made the commitment, gave my word, months before I knew you were coming here.”

  If it weren’t for her, he’d be excited about this honor. She had to play this light and breezy. “I’ll be fine. Dreams and visions have never killed anyone.” At least not yet, she thought. “Besides, I stopped the construction—so the visions should stop, too.” She didn’t believe that for a minute. It would be too easy.

  “How did you manage that?”

  “That’s one of the things I don’t want to talk about tonight.”

  “I’ll bet Cort is mad as a cornered pit bull.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him, either.” She turned her head away to hide the tears welling in her eyes. With all the activity going on around them, maybe Grandfather wouldn’t notice her silence.

  Ahead, she spied a red Porsche driven by a wide-shouldered, golden-haired man. Her breath caught. Her heart throbbed. But at the stoplight she discovered it wasn’t Cort, and her heart sank. How could a promised glimpse of him mean so much?

  She forced enthusiasm when Grandfather stopped for macadamia nut ice cream. It was good, but she was too worried to enjoy it.

  When they returned home, Grandfather pulled out his ukulele and began singing. Lani tried to learn the words as she sang along. The hours flew, and soon it was time to go to bed.

  “Leave your door open,” Grandfather said gently. “I want to be sure the visions have stopped before I leave.”

  In spite of his request, she closed the door. Her argument with Cort had left her in such a state that to work off the adrenaline high she would welcome a fight, even with a spirit. She turned out the light, and waited, hardly breathing. “Come on Pele, I’m ready for you!”

  Nothing happened. After standing by the door for about ten minutes, she felt foolish and climbed into bed. She lay in the darkness, rigid, waiting.

  Later, when Grandfather passed the door on his way to bed, he quietly opened it and left it ajar. She was still wide-awake, her body tensed. Determined to face her enemy alone, she closed the door again. Instead of running away, she would turn toward the power and face it down. Any moment the darkened room would blaze with flames. Her palms slickened with sweat. Her eyes ached as she stared into the blackness, holding her goal firmly in mind.

  Lani didn’t know slumber had overcome her until the alarm made its nerve-jangling sound at dawn. She arose and stretched. Pele hadn’t come. Lani shook her head. Could what she’d told Grandfather have been right? Was it all over?

  Leaning on the windowsill, she looked out. The sun hadn’t yet made its way over the majestic lush green mountaintops. A gentle trade wind whispered through the open window and filled the room with a pleasant crispness and a hint of gardenia.

  Mynah birds began their morning calls. The start of the day was always a lovely, peaceful time. Too bad her emotions weren’t as tranquil. She felt close to tears. To end the visions and nightmares she had to lose Cort. Or did she ever have him?

  Lani glanced at the clock, wondering if she still had a job. Well, she’d go to work and find out. She grabbed her robe and padded down the hall to the bathroom.

  Her mind wandered as she showered. Grandfather had such a good time last night showing off his new truck. And for a while, sharing the joy with him had even taken her mind off Pele and Cort. What was Cort doing with his time, now that the work had stopped?

  Refusing to torture herself about him and what might have been, Lani’s thoughts jumped around as if tied to a grasshopper’s legs. Since there were no images or nightmares last night, perhaps the haunting really was over. A side benefit: if Cort no longer occupied her nightmares, and the danger to him was gone, it would be easier to forget him. A wary serenity settled over her. She stepped out of the shower into the big oversized towel and dried herself briskly. Then, she dressed with care. If Chinn fired her, she wanted to leave looking her best.

  The drive to work was slow, stop and go. What was the big hurry? A desk-clean-out-party might be the only activity waiting for her. Mentally she shook herself, refusing to dwell on the negative.

  The sky was a broad-brushed blue on blue with billowing whipped cream clouds. The ground, trees and flowered foliage glistened with raindrops from a recent shower. And the yellow Toyota was now hers. It was going to be a fine day. She simply refused to have it otherwise.

  As Lani parked in front of the office, she noticed the lights were on and the door was unlocked. Apparently Mr. Chinn had arrived ahead of her. Not a good sign. Gathering courage and fixing a smile on her face, she marched up to Chinn’s private office and knocked.

  “Come in.” His tone lacked warmth.

  Stern-faced, Chinn waited, dwarfed by the huge, uncluttered desk that spread a hard, highly polished distance between them. She paused in the doorway, her heart pounding.

  “Sit down, Lani.” His command boomed off the walls like thunder. “It seems we have a conflict of interest problem.”

  “I didn’t know you were the project broker for the site.”

  Chinn steepled his fingers. “Would it have made a difference?”

  She met his serious eyes. “Of course.” Her mouth went dry. “I’d have told you before calling anyone.”

  “I wish you’d done that,” Chinn said. “I’ve been pleased with how efficiently you’ve handled things around here.”

  Her hope rose. “I enjoy the work.”

  Chinn’s expression remained grim. “The owners of the property will have many added expenses because of your action.” Chinn extended and retracted the tip of his pen. Click-click. He paused, then more click-clicks. “They’ve threatened to cancel my contract as project broker. I finally persuaded them not to do that. They agreed, providing you are no longer a part of this firm.”

  Her tiny ray of hope shriveled to nothing. “I see.” She handed him the key to the office and stood. “I’ll clean out my desk.”

  “I’ll give you excellent references, of course, and two week’s severance pay. If it makes you feel any better, one other person on the board besides myself tried to save your job.”

  His last sentence didn’t fully register.

  “Thank you.” She’d been fired! She fought the stomach-knotting blow to her ego. She’d get over it. She quickly escaped from the room.

  It wouldn’t take long to clear out her desk. She’d hardly had time to settle in. She wasn’t as unhappy about losing the job as she’d expected. It wasn’t the best paying position around anyway, and maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

  Working for Chinn had been simply a means to keep her solvent until she landed a paralegal position. She had applications out. Something would turn up, something better.

  Now she could give her full attention to getting her law degree. Seven years ago she’d started her studies in pre-law at San Diego State. Later, she’d commuted to Loyola Law School in Los Angeles working toward a J.D. in criminal law. While working for Bumgardinar, Burnes, and Blake, she’d become interested in land use and planning. Learning about the relics on Cort’s construction site had intensified that interest. Now she knew the kind of law she wanted to practice.

  Lani put the last personal item in a small cardboard box just as Julie came in.

  “What’s going on, sugar? You’re not quitting, are you?”

  “Fired.”

  “Why?” Julie asked. “You’re a great secretary.”

  “Mr. Chinn called it conflict of interest. If you don’t mind I’d rather not talk about it. I just want to get out of here. Look, call me sometime. We’ll go to lunch.”

  Julie’s eyes
flashed mischievously. “I’ve got a better idea. There’s a beach bash tomorrow evening at my friend’s estate. Go with me. A party’ll cheer you up.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t feel like partying.”

  “That’s when you need it the most. Please. I hate going alone.”

  “I won’t know anyone,” Lani said, as she considered it.

  Julie gave her most winsome smile. “You know me. Besides, we’ll meet lots of new people, supposed to be over two hundred coming.” She rolled her eyes. “Maybe some interesting guys. Whatcha say?”

  Lani wasn’t interested in meeting any men, but maybe she’d meet someone who could give her a line on a better job. And perhaps it would lift her spirits. “You win. I’ll go.”

  “Great! Pick you up about seven.”

  Lani quickly wrote down the address and directions to her house.

  “Oh yeah,” Julie added, smiling. “Bring your bikini.”

  Lani nodded and headed out the door with her box of meager belongings, including a couple of small potted ferns and a cup with I love Hawai’i on it.

  Driving home, she had a persistent uneasiness about the party. It was nothing she could actually put her finger on, so she ignored it.

  Her mind shifted back to Cort. Regret tore through her. She’d really blown it. Well, who needs a guy who yells, anyway? But he wasn’t really a hothead like she’d said. It was just that so much was at stake—his job, his men’s jobs. She must be going crazy—here she was defending him to herself!

  There had to be a way out of the trouble she’d made. Maybe if she persuaded Kohea to speed up the site borings, she could win back Cort’s trust. She frowned. Not likely. She brushed away a tear. Dear God, I think I really love the guy!