Spoils of Eden

by Linda Lee Chaikin

  “Yes, I’m fine today, dear. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Go on without me, both of you.”

  Eden turned her attention to her father. She knew him well enough now to recognize the thoughtful glimmer of concern in his eyes. Was it over Nora’s health or over the subject they had been discussing?

  “I don’t suppose you’ve been able to talk to Nora yet about Liliuokalani’s support for the clinic?” she inquired.

  He stirred his coffee. “We’ve mentioned it briefly, and she is enthused. We intend to map out her plans on how to proceed in the next few days.”

  Eden was pleased to hear it. “Then I was right about Great-aunt Nora. I thought she might be on our side.”

  “We’ll need to take the tortoise route, I’m afraid. There is no ignoring the Board of Health. Even so, Nora believes that if I’m able to explain my travels these years to Liliuokalani and interest her in the findings of Dr. Chen, the Board’s approval should follow sooner or later. I understand the new queen has an inquisitive mind. A few more friends on our side from the Legislature won’t slow matters down either.”

  Eden thought of Rafe. If only a man of his drive were on her side. Parker Judson had two influential friends with seats in the Hawaiian Legislature whom she’d mentioned to her father, and though he’d met with them over luncheon on Punchbowl Street, neither had promised his support.

  “Father, there’s something that interests me about Herald Hartley, something that seems rather strange.”

  “About Herald?” he asked surprised.

  “Yes, it was something he said at the camp near Rat Alley a few months ago. He said you had helped him in India. What did he do in India when you met him?”

  Unlike Herald, her father showed no caution in discussing India. “Why, yes, he was in India. I thought I’d mentioned that he’d worked for Dr. Chen in Calcutta. Unfortunately, Herald got himself into a financial difficulty and began to drink too much. He was dismissed by Dr. Chen, and his reputation was ruined. When I noticed him on the street one day, he appealed to me for help. I brought him to a Christian mission. With time he came to trust in Christ. I gave him a new start in research by taking him on as my assistant.”

  Eden was quiet a moment. “So far he hasn’t disappointed you?”

  “Disappointed me? No, why should he? I’m almost sure he’s sincere in his faith.”

  She noted the hesitancy. “Almost? But not altogether?”

  “Until a few weeks ago, Eden, I would have said altogether. Something occurred recently that has raised a doubt. I intend to look into the matter further, but for now I’d rather not discuss it. You’ll understand, I’m sure.”

  She did of course, but would rather have discussed it.

  “Is it wise, Father? To have Herald Hartley involved in what you’re doing with the clinic?”

  “So you also have doubts about Herald. I don’t think we have anything to be concerned about,” he said. “Until I met him in India, he knew only the rejection of his colleagues and his family. We need every friend we can get, so let’s not forget to be a friend to others who are in need.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “We’ve got Rebecca to think of. There’s no time to worry about Herald’s past.”

  She wondered if that was wise, but kept silent and accepted her father’s decision.

  She quickly changed the subject to Ambrose and Rebecca’s hope for a printing press, and was relieved when he showed support and pleasure at the idea. She didn’t tell him she intended to bring it up to Rafe Easton when she saw him at Hanalei. She’d already made up her mind that she was going to the Big Island to see him before returning to Honolulu.

  Eden was still in the grip of her emotions when the servant entered to see if they were ready for the first course of their breakfast.

  “Where’s Zachary?” Candace asked, coming into the dining room. Dr. Jerome stood and pulled out his niece’s chair. “Good morning, my dear Candace.”

  “Thank you, Uncle. Good morning.”

  “I haven’t seen Zachary since dinner last night,” Jerome said.

  Nor had Eden. She excused herself for a moment and went to find Nora on the lanai, but she wasn’t there. She peered over the rail and saw her great-aunt below. She had a pair of binoculars and was looking toward the trees on the nearby hill opposite the garden. Eden watched her until Nora lowered them, stood for a few moments without moving, then came back across the yard toward the lanai steps, then looked up and saw Eden watching her.

  “Breakfast,” Eden called down with contrived cheerfulness.

  “I’m coming.” Nora came up the steps, slowly and a little out of breath. She returned the binoculars to the wrought-iron shelf where she stored them for bird watching.

  Eden smiled. “See anything interesting this morning?”

  “Oh, just a bird.”

  Eden watched her go inside the dining room. Candace watched Great-aunt Nora, too. There was a slight puzzlement between her brows this morning. Eden thought that if she hadn’t told her about Ainsworth’s letter last night, she would never guess the crushing decision Candace had made.

  Nora was seated at the table as primly as a queen. “Zachary went for a hike this morning,” she said when Jerome inquired of his absence.

  “Zachary?” Candace asked, surprise in her voice. “I’ve never known him to be much of a walker.”

  “He took some brunch with him, and a canteen of coffee,” Nora went on, making no reference to the unusualness of Zachary’s decision to hike.

  Was it Zachary whom Nora had seen a moment ago in the binoculars? If so, why wouldn’t she simply say so? What was there to conceal? Nora had said she’d been watching a bird, but—

  Her thoughts were interrupted when Nora turned her head and looked pointedly into her eyes. “Eden, my dear, the reason I asked you to come see me is about Ling Li.”

  At the mention of Ling, the clink of utensils around the table came to a sudden halt.

  “Ling!” Eden said, surprised. “Is he here? Does he know everyone at Kea Lani is looking for him, including his family?”

  “Yes, he most certainly knows. No need to concern yourself for his wife. Recently he had his own way of letting her know he was well. Li’s people are most mysterious, you know. Very intriguing.”

  “Why didn’t he let us know he was well?” Candace asked bluntly. “The last time I saw Rafe at the camp near Rat Alley, even he was looking for Ling.”

  Dr. Jerome frowned thoughtfully.

  And Rafe evidently did not find Ling, Eden thought. She glanced at her father again. Was he recalling that awful debate with Rafe in the tent?

  “Where is Ling now?” Eden asked Nora. “I want to speak to him.”

  “He’s not here. He showed up a few days ago, most upset, poor fellow, begging to find Rafe Easton. He fled here, he told me, not knowing where else to hide himself until Rafe could be contacted.”

  Both Dr. Jerome and Candace joined Eden in staring at Nora. “Hide himself?” Dr. Jerome repeated. “He works for Kea Lani. Why would he need to hide himself from us? If he cannot fulfill his working contract, I’m sure Ainsworth would arrange for something more lenient. Is he sick?”

  “Oh, no. Quite healthy, in fact. I’ve yet to see a fellow so lean and wiry, and quick on his feet.”

  “Perhaps the death of his youngest son has affected his mind,” Candace said.

  “No, I don’t believe he had the death of his son on his mind just then. I arranged to send him to Hanalei to see Rafe or Keno. They are both at the Kona plantation.”

  “When was this?” Eden asked.

  “Before I became so ill. Oh, by now he’s on Hanalei and safe, I’m sure.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be safe at Kea Lani?” Dr. Jerome asked impatiently.

  “I believe his perceived lack of safety had something to do with his hut being burned down,” Nora said too casually, immediately alerting Eden.

  Eden remained silent, but her grip tightened on her napkin. She thought s
he knew why Ling felt himself at risk. The burning down of his family bungalow was accidental, but Ling was always superstitious, as was his wife, Hui.

  Dr. Jerome considered this. “Ling,” he said, as if to himself, “was looking for Rafe Easton. And Rafe was looking for Ling at the camp. Perhaps Ling believes he has something of import to tell Rafe. More than that, he must believe what he has to tell Rafe somehow puts him personally in an insecure position. Interesting.” He drummed his fingers, staring into his coffee cup. “Most interesting. I don’t suppose there was any suggestion of what that was?”

  “No. He considered it an urgent matter, however.”

  Nora and Jerome looked at one another for a long moment.

  Eden did not know how she realized it, but she thought, Father’s just remembered something that makes him uneasy. And it’s connected with Ling and Rafe. Nora, too, knows what it is.

  “Zachary is going to the Big Island in the morning. He mentioned you were going with him,” Nora said to Eden.

  “Ambrose is hoping Rafe can use the Minoa to bring a printing press to Molokai. That is, should we raise the funds to buy one. He asked me to speak with Rafe about it.”

  “A printing press?” Nora asked, showing interest. Eden told her about Ambrose and Rebecca’s plans, and of the young Hawaiian Ambrose wished to train.

  “I’ll certainly contribute,” Nora said.

  “So will I,” Candace said.

  Great-aunt Nora looked toward the lanai as though she’d heard something that caught her attention. She stood up and walked there, looking out, first in one direction and then the other. She went to the rail and peered below.

  When Nora came back to the dining room, she merely stood in the opening.

  Eden, seated next to Candace, heard a small intake of breath. Eden looked at her. Candace had the strangest expression on her face as she sat staring at the lanai. “Oh,” Candace said softly, “I see.”

  “See what?” Eden asked, frowning.

  Candace got up and walked to the lanai, and stepped out into the morning light. She stood perfectly still.

  “Do you see Zachary coming?” Great-aunt Nora asked her.

  “No. I don’t see Zachary.”

  Dr. Jerome appeared lost in his own thoughts for some time. Then, without a word, as though he were unaware of the others, he left the dining room and went upstairs, soon followed by Nora. Candace’s steps were heard going down into the garden, no doubt for one of her long, healthy walks.

  Eden, alone at the table, arose and stepped out on the windy lanai. What odd behavior, she thought. The palm fronds rustled, and the air was tangy with the salty fragrance of the sea. She walked over to the shelf and saw the binoculars there. She picked them up absently.

  Earlier, Nora said shed been looking at a “bird.” Nora never used the generic name for the winged creatures she loved so much, as a novice would. Something was still troubling Nora.

  Eden lifted the binoculars and refocused them, studying the sea, the trees, the road. She saw nothing unusual. Below, Nora came out through the front door and walked toward the banana trees. She paused there, with her back toward Tamarind, then strolled out of sight.

  Eden lowered the binoculars. They had all behaved oddly this morning. And that conversation between Nora and Dr. Jerome earlier, before breakfast, had suggested something about there being a “reasonable explanation.” Explanation for her medication? Nora had said she was determined about “delving into” the matter. But Jerome had urged her to wait to speak with Ainsworth. “Id rather speak with Rafe Easton since it concerns him,” Nora had responded.

  Eden continued her musings until the bushes and trees shook and Zachary burst through and strode purposefully toward the front door. He, too, was acting strangely, she thought. If he’s arranged a boat trip to the Big Island, I’m going with him, she thought, clamping her jaw. “This time I’ll demand answers from Rafe Easton.” She was certain he knew exactly what was going on. She whirled from the lanai, and rushed out of the dining room to waylay Zachary.

  When she entered the front hall, he was coming in through the front door and saw her. There was a tenseness in his face that should not have been there after his supposed “little hike in the tropics.” He’d been up to something.

  “I’m going to the Big Island right away, Eden. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I think I need to see Rafe today. If I start out now, I can be at Hanalei late this afternoon.”

  “I’m going with you. Do you have a boat?”

  “Laweoki owns the Lily of the Stars. He’ll bring us. I’ve already spoken to him.”

  “I haven’t much to pack. Did you see Nora out front when you came in?”

  “Yes, I told her. What about Uncle Jerome? Is he coming with us?”

  “He wants to remain with Nora for a few days. He’s waiting for Dr. Bolton to come over.”

  “And Candace?”

  Eden hesitated. Keno was at Hanalei. Candace would not relent on her heartrending decision.

  “No,” she said quietly. “She intends to stay here with Great-aunt Nora.”

  Beneath a gray-blue sky that appeared to stretch forever, Eden walked with Zachary along the wharf until they came to the Lily of the Stars, a white and green yacht that had been turned into a houseboat. Captain Laweoki, in white knee-length pants and shirt, cheerfully welcomed Eden and Zachary aboard.

  “Aloha. Your sore knee all better now I see.”

  “My knee?” Zachary questioned, then, as if remembering, he looked flustered. “It’s fine,” he clipped, obviously unwilling to expound. He began to walk away.

  Laweoki was not to be put off. “Should never have gone inside Tamarind House that night. That house is cursed by the kahunas. Especially when nice wahine Nora Derrington not there.”

  Eden looked from Laweoki to Zachary, confused. Zachary hadn’t injured his knee at Tamarind House, but at Hawaiiana in Honolulu, and that was back in early June. This was late September. Why would he even connect Zachary with Tamarind?

  Zachary avoided Nora’s house as much as he could. Even today, after just one night there, he’d been anxious to leave for Hanalei. For years, he had blamed himself because Eden had fallen down the stairs while he’d been chasing after her. Eden had hoped his guilt would disappear when he’d become a Christian over a year ago. Evidently mental shadows clung like cobwebs in his subconscious. Only saturating the mind with the Scripture could chase those memories away, she thought.

  But Zachary was not showing a Christian spirit now. His blue eyes snapped at his Hawaiian friend Laweoki. “Never mind about Tamarind House. My cousin is well aware of its history.” He strode across the deck to the steps and waited for her to follow.

  Laweoki refused Zachary’s indifference. “Bad place,” he repeated to her in a low voice.

  “It’s just a house,” she responded soothingly. “Zachary could have tripped and hurt his knee anywhere, even on this boat.”

  “Yes, he could have,” he said gravely, “but he didn’t.”

  “Were you with him when the accident happened?”

  “Me? Ha. You won’t find me in mile of that house.”

  “Then how did you know he injured himself at Tamarind? Maybe it was at another house.”

  Laweoki raised his brows. “Maybe. He was limping a little, I guess when I bring him here from Honolulu late one night. Cost him plenty of money too, for me to risk dark waters to come here. When he comes back, I see him with both of my eyes, limping.” He pointed to the beach. “He came from there. All ‘riled up,’ as haoles say it.”

  “Hey! What are you two chatting about? You’d better wait down here, Eden. It’ll get awfully wet on deck before we reach the Big Island,” Zachary called to her. “Laweoki? Can you send us down some coffee?”

  “Yes, yes, I send you coffee. Cost you extra,” he called with deliberate mischief and winked at Eden. “But you rich Derrington. Won’t hurt to dish it over.”

  Eden walked across the deck to the
steps, where Zachary waited for her. She looked at him evenly. He was frowning.

  “Be careful as you go down. We don’t want any more reasons to fuel Laweoki’s superstitions.”

  “You have some explaining to do,” she said flatly and went past him down the short, wooden steps.

  Below, there was a small enclosure, cramped and holding crates. Zachary had to duck low as he followed her. She faced him. His mind was on something that bothered him. There was a pinched look about his mouth, but she didn’t think it was because of the discussion about Tamarind House. He’d been under a great deal of strain recently.

  Eden carefully removed her hat and set it down by a barrel, along with her overnight bag. The gathering clouds outdoors darkened the area, and Zachary turned up the wicks on several lamps that Laweoki had already lit.

  Eden accepted the few minutes of reprieve and thanked the other Hawaiian boy, maybe Laweoki’s son, for the mug of Kona coffee. She found her mind wandering back to Rafe. She hadn’t seen him in well over a month. I’m not supposed to miss him this soon.

  She sat down, pensive and worried about Zachary, wondering about his strange behavior. Had Zachary injured his knee that day in June on the lanai at Rafe’s pineapple plantation, as he’d said, or here at Tamarind as Laweoki insisted?

  Nora must have been watching him with the binoculars, but why? When he’d come rushing in the front door after she and the others had finished their breakfast, he had looked nervous or … afraid, perhaps? “I must go to the Big Island now”, he’d said.

  “Silas is a schemer,” Zachary said unexpectedly, putting his mug down on the table with a thud.

  Schemer. Was he? She frowned, uncomfortable with his mood, back to jealousy of Silas.

  “Notice how he flatters Grandfather for his leadership in the annexation movement? When almost immediately beforehand Silas was lecturing me and Nora about uncovering a story to hurt the annexationists.”

  She remembered well.

  “He was all about scalping me for being too pro-Hawaiian League,” Zachary went on. “But as soon as Grandfather practically assures Silas hell be heir of ‘all things Derrington,’ well, then old Silas is suddenly for annexation.”