Veils and Vengeance

by Rachelle J. Christensen

  I followed him around the side of the restaurant where the waves lapped at a shoreline littered with boulders. A few patches of sand were occupied by sunbathers, but by the amount of swimmers in the water, I figured it must be a great place for snorkeling. Jon pointed toward the ocean. “Watch carefully and I bet we’ll see some turtles.”

  “Really?” I took a few steps closer to the edge of a steep drop off and looked out at the water that was about ten feet below us.

  “There’s one,” Jon said, pointing to a splash in the surface.

  I squinted and leaned closer when a turtle’s head bobbed above the surface. The dark outline of his body moved lazily through the current. “There he is.” My voice pitched higher in excitement, and I bit my lip, not wanting to sound like a kid at the zoo.

  “I could watch them for hours,” Jon said.

  Immediately, I felt at ease. He wasn’t judging me, and I didn’t need to feel insecure around him.

  “It’s nice to see you smile again.” Jon nudged my arm. “Look, there’s three turtles right there.”

  I studied the water and relaxed a couple more notches. We watched for a few more minutes until Jon said we should probably join the others inside.

  The rest of the Connellys were just being seated when Jon and I walked in. The Beach House was flanked by a large open veranda, where guests could dine right by the shore. The sounds of the waves breaking blended with light music and people talking in the gorgeous setting. The warm atmosphere welcomed me to relax as I surveyed the dimly lit dining area. I would have termed it romantic, but that sounded so unoriginal coming from a wedding planner.

  “Adri, thanks for coming,” Malia said. Her full smile was outlined in a deep burgundy shade of lipstick that brought out the rosy hue of her skin.

  I bit back my retort about being commanded to show up and instead said, “Thank you. I’ve heard of this restaurant before, and I can see why.”

  “Wait until you taste the food,” Heather said. “It’s scrumptious.”

  We settled in with our menus and there was some small talk, but I sensed that everyone was trying not to think of the discovery earlier. I caught myself glancing out at the vast ocean and wondering what else might lie beneath the waves.

  Neil cleared his throat. “I know we’re all skirting the issue of the body we found today at Tunnels, so I just wanted to say that I’ve been in contact with the police again. They haven’t discovered her identity, but hopefully will soon.”

  I gripped the cloth napkin tightly while trying to push the images from my mind. A light touch on my fingers snapped my focus back on what Neil was saying. I looked down and saw that Jon had covered my hand with his. He squeezed my hand and the tension in my neck and shoulders relaxed a bit.

  “We’re not going to let this ruin our celebrations,” Neil continued. “But we won’t pretend it didn’t happen either. I’ll keep you updated on whatever I can find out. Now, let’s order and then we’ll go out and enjoy the sunset.”

  Heather leaned over and kissed Neil, and he whispered something to her. They both looked my way, and Neil tipped his chin toward me. I smiled to reassure them. They were worried about me, so I needed to put on a good face, otherwise I’d be roped into family dinner every night during my stay on Kauai.

  When Jon released my hand to pick up his menu, I noticed the absence of his fingers curled around mine more than I wanted to admit. After ordering a watermelon salad and an entree with chicken and a rice pilaf, I spent the next few minutes lecturing myself on staying focused and not getting ideas about certain tanned gentlemen. The restaurant grew louder as several people headed outside past our table.

  “It’s almost sunset,” Neil said. “Shall we?” He helped Heather from her chair and they strolled outside together followed by Malia and Kyle. Jon and I brought up the rear. I marveled at the beauty before me.

  The sunlight was fading. Shimmering strands of golden pinks and purples cascaded across the ocean waters. The light illuminated a stand of palm trees in the distance, and I had my camera up snapping pictures before it sank any lower.

  “Let me take one of you,” Jon said. “Come over here and we’ll wait our turn.”

  Several people had the same idea. They stood on the edge of the lawn overhanging the ocean with the brilliant sunset glowing behind them. Several couples kissed as a picture was snapped, and I was pleased to take one of Malia and Kyle that would make a cute impromptu shot to add to their wedding video. Jon took a picture of me, and we stood and gazed out as the coral globe of light sank beneath the ocean.

  “Here let me take a picture of you two.” Heather held out her hand for my camera. I handed it to her, feeling awkward about having my picture taken with Jon. “You two look cute together.”

  “Mom, no match-making.” Jon grumbled.

  Heather laughed. “It’s just a picture.” She handed me my camera and patted my hand. “How are you holding up, dear?”

  I lifted one shoulder. “I think the adrenaline has finally worn off. I’m kind of tired.”

  “Please let me know if there’s anything we can do to make your stay here more comfortable.” She studied my face with that motherly concern I’d seen before. “I feel so bad that things started off this way. I’m afraid to go to sleep tonight after all that.”

  I nodded. “I keep seeing her face and her arm—there was something colorful.” I closed my eyes, studying the image in my mind before shuddering. “I guess it’s probably best if I try not to think about it anymore, but the officer kept asking me questions about what I’d seen.”

  “He asked all of us a lot of questions,” Jon said. “I didn’t understand why when the body was right there for them to examine.”

  “I think it might have had something to do with them wanting to record the evidence before they moved the body out of the water,” Heather offered. She frowned. “It’s disturbing. That poor woman. She looked so young.”

  I blinked back the moisture in my eyes and saw that Heather was doing the same. She patted my arm. “We don’t have to worry about it anymore. Let’s go back inside. Thankfully the police here are very good at their jobs.”

  When we walked back inside, the waiter was just placing our salads on the table for us. The presentation of the food was magazine-worthy, so I snapped a few pictures. Red slices of watermelon mixed with spinach and dotted with Gorgonzola cheese and grated carrots made a mouth-watering photo.

  “Here, let me take a better picture for you,” Kyle said. He held out his hand for my camera. “Now smile. You too, Jon.”

  Jon leaned in beside me. Kyle took the picture and handed me my camera. Now I had two pictures with Jon and me. If I sent them to Lorea, she’d be bugging me for details non-stop. I decided to send one to her for kicks.

  “Thanks, Kyle. I wanted to take a few pictures of the food to post on my blog.”

  “A blogger, huh?” Jon draped his arm over the back of my chair. “Do you blog about your wedding stuff?”

  “That and much more,” I said. “My site is called Mashed Potatoes and Crafts. My mom and I blog about all kinds of crafts, sewing, card making, and cooking.”

  “That sounds like something Malia would like.”

  Jon was humoring me, but I couldn’t resist sharing a little bit more information about my favorite little guilty pleasure—blogging. “You’ll have to visit the site and check out our special Idaho mashed potatoes recipe.”

  “That sounds yummy.” Jon rubbed his stomach. “And you sound like a very talented lady.”

  His praise was genuine, and I appreciated the small thrill it gave me. “Thank you.”

  The food was as delicious as it looked, and soon everyone seemed more relaxed after our adventurous day. I saw Heather and Neil watching me with concern, but by the time we had dessert, I think they were assured that I was no longer in shock.

  Malia and Kyle left before everyone else for some island star-gazing. We all laughed, and Heather shushed us but Jon nudged my elbow. �
��You’ll see on the way back. The stars are incredible here—not many lights to interfere.”

  And he was right. I leaned my head back and admired the glittering masses in the blackness above. The Tiki torches were burning as Jon pulled up to the resort. He jumped out and opened my door, taking my hand to help me out. “Come over here,” he said. With a tug on my hand, he led me across the drive to a small pond and pointed toward the heavens. “Venus is right there.”

  My throat constricted. It was like trying to swallow several jagged rocks at once as a memory washed over me—another night of star-gazing with someone who seemed genuine and kind—but he wasn’t. I pulled my hand out of Jon’s grasp and took a few stumbling steps back toward the hotel.

  “Adri! Are you okay?”

  He rushed to my side, and I recognized the panicked feelings I’d experienced so many times over the past six months. I stopped, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, remembering what the victim’s advocate had told me—the relaxation practices I’d mastered could help rescue me from an oncoming anxiety attack. Jon stayed near me, but thankfully he didn’t say anything until I opened my eyes.

  He cocked his head to one side. “I get it—it’s been a rough day for you. Let me help you inside. I’m sure you’re exhausted with the time difference and everything.”

  Biting back tears, I let him take my hand and guide me into the resort. It was such a simple thing. He wasn’t trying to push me, just make me feel normal when I didn’t, and I appreciated it. Jon thought it was all because of earlier, and most of it probably was, but gratitude that I didn’t have to try to explain the past to him welled up inside me.

  “You promise you’re going right to bed?”

  I nodded. “Thanks, Jon.”

  “No prob. Maybe I’ll see you in the morning.”

  As I sank into the bed, I covered my eyes with my arm. This wasn’t like me. I was a take-charge woman, full of confidence. I didn’t break down at the slightest memory. Tomorrow would be better. After a good night’s sleep, I’d be back in control.

  As I approached the unconscious realm of sleep, it almost felt as if I were still floating on the water, the waves pushing me gently back and forth.

  Chapter 4

  LOREA’S CROCHETED INFINITY SCARF

  Materials: 1.5 skeins yarn blend, use crochet hook N for bulkier yarns.

  For more info on how to decipher a crochet pattern (and its abbreviations), see the website.

  Instructions: Ch 18. In the 3rd chain from the hook, work dc, ch 1, dc in the same ch. *Skip two chains and then in the next ch, work dc, ch 1, dc in the same ch. Repeat 3 more times from * to end, then in the last ch, work 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in the same ch.

  Row 1: Turn, ch 3 and work hdc, ch 1, hdc in each of the chain 1 spaces from the previous row (center of each "V"). At the end of the row, finish with a hdc in the last space (ch 3 turning space).

  Repeat row 1 until 60 inches long or desired length.

  Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com

  The clinking of dishes woke me at just after seven the next morning, and I jumped out of bed—rubbing away the nightmares on the fringes of my consciousness. I had planned to get up at six-thirty for a little exercise and be back in time for a fruit plate, courtesy of room service. The light knock on the door indicated that my breakfast was served. Exercise would have to wait.

  I scooted the food tray into my room. Then I rinsed off my face and gargled with cool water, allowing myself a few minutes to fully wake. Feeling more alert, I plopped down on my bed for breakfast. As I savored the fresh pineapple and mangoes, I thought about what I needed to accomplish for the day.

  First thing, conquer the booking dilemma and find out who in the heck thought they were more important than Adrielle Pyper’s Dream Weddings, Where happily ever after is your destination. I rolled my shoulders back, enjoying the imagined confidence I needed at the moment, pretending as if everything were on track for a successful wedding.

  The deep waters from yesterday beckoned to me with their murderous secrets, but I took a cleansing breath and forced them out of my mind. Neil said he would keep us updated on what the police found—I had to control my morbid curiosity and trust that the police would uncover the details of the woman’s demise.

  Even as I struggled to rein in my thoughts, I recalled the nightmare from last night. I had been in the ocean again, but this time the woman wasn’t dead. She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward her, motioning to the chains on her torso. Her eyes were frightened, and she spoke, but bubbles came out of her mouth, and I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say. I had awoken with a feeling of danger and an urgency to discover what the woman wanted. The questions spinning through my brain demanded answers, but I didn’t know where to start. I could only go to sleep after I turned the lights on and checked my room for bogeymen.

  A shiver ran down my spine, and I shook off the vivid memories of dreams mixed with reality. I needed to concentrate on something else. My room had a small balcony, and I stepped outside and breathed the floral scented air. Everything in Hawaii smelled so fresh.

  A rooster crowed. The sound transported me back to mornings on the Idaho farm. I smiled when I thought of my parents. They’d never been anywhere as exotic as Hawaii. They relished their farm life, but all the same, I hoped I could convince them to take a well-earned tropical vacation sometime soon. I allowed myself a few more minutes of relaxation to clear my mind, and then hurried to get ready. Malia had said she would be by the hotel after nine, so I had just enough time to go to battle with the concierge.

  I glanced at my craft bag with bits of charcoal gray yarn sticking out near the handles. On the flight I’d worked on crocheting an infinity scarf, and I was almost finished. I wanted to give the scarf to Lorea as a thank you for the extra work she was doing while I was enjoying the Hawaiian sun. I’d envisioned having a bit more time to myself in the evenings to relax and finish my project, but things had turned out to be much more exciting than I planned. I tucked the craft bag back in my suitcase—there would always be time on the flight home.

  Repeating a mantra of confidence, I prepared for battle. My off-white capris and a turquoise top gave me a professional yet comfortable appearance. I pulled a brush through my curls and tied my hair back in a messy bun. The shimmery eye shadow I used accented the deep brown of my eyes, and I took care to make sure I got some mascara on my nearly invisible blonde eyelashes before scooting out the door.

  I walked with purpose toward the front desk, but just as my sandals echoed across the tile I collided with another woman.

  “You!” Her voice was caught between a shriek and a growl. She raised her hand and smoothed her perfectly coiffed, bleached-blonde hair and glared at me.

  I stepped back. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “You.” She pointed at me. I raised my eyebrows and looked behind me, hoping she meant to point at someone else.

  The woman wore a dark pink power suit that accentuated her large bust and tiny waist. I pegged her for forty, trying to pull off thirty, but it was hard to tell under the copious amounts of makeup lining her beady eyes. She jabbed her finger towards me. “You’re the one messing up all my plans.” She spoke with an English accent and a slightly nasal tone.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t be fresh with me, young lady. I know that the resort double-booked our events, but you could have rescheduled.”

  For a moment, my mouth hung open, then I remembered how unladylike that looked so I clamped my jaw shut. So this was the woman behind whatever company or celebrity had booked over the top of Malia’s wedding plans. My blood pumped faster, like the tick-tocking of the clock on a bomb about to go off. With a breath, I stopped the heated acceleration of my heart. She had been the cause of my indigestion last night, and I wasn’t about to let her ruin my good morning mood. I squared my shoulders. “Ever heard the phrase, ‘Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine? ’”

&nb
sp; She lowered her pointing finger and her eyes narrowed. “Of course, but we all know that isn’t the case for little people like yourself. You are supposed to cater to me.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Is this some sort of joke?” The woman couldn’t be for real, could she?

  “That’s your problem. You aren’t taking me seriously.” She pursed her lips and tapped the toe of her pink heels.

  Okay, obviously no joking going on.

  She pointed her finger in my face and I took a step back. “You’ll change your reservation for the luau on Saturday night, or you’ll have me to deal with me. My company is far more important than your little wedding.”

  Enough was enough. I stepped forward again, swiping her pointing finger out of my way. “I have no idea who you are, and I definitely don’t know who you think you are, but as far as I can tell, you’re a human being just like me.”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it and narrowed her eyes.

  “I’ve had this wedding celebration planned for over six months. If you have a problem, take it up with the staff, but if you threaten me again, I’ll call security.”

  “I’m not threatening you, Ms. Pyper. My conversations are never idle, and I always hold to my word.” She pressed her lips together, and a bit of the blood-red lipstick adhered to her tooth when she spoke. “You will change your luau to Friday, and my company will foot the bill. I don’t have time to discuss this further. I’ll check with the concierge later to see to the revised plans.”

  She turned to go, but not before I replied. “I won’t be changing anything, but I will be contacting security right now.”

  The woman laughed. “You do that.” She lifted a brow. “I tried to warn you. You should know that people who mess with me often end up hurt.” Her heels clicked sharply against the tile as she made her way across the mezzanine.

  Of all the borderline crazy people I’d worked with, this woman took the cake. She was psychotic. The gleam in her eye was unnerving, but she didn’t know who she was dealing with. I hadn’t spent the early years of my career working at Bellissima Wedding Dreams in San Francisco without learning how to deal with celebrity types and people with ‘royal pain’ personalities. I smoothed the front of my shirt and took a deep breath. It’d been almost three years since I left Bellissima and being my own boss was wonderful. But standing in front of this woman made it hard to ignore the churning in my stomach.