Burned

by Carol Higgins Clark

  “That’s all you remember?”

  “What do you want from Jimmy? Jimmy could have been killed. It’s something! Cops should figure out what to do!”

  “Is there anything else you’d like to tell us, Jimmy?”

  Jimmy looked straight into the camera. “Whoever did this will have very bad luck, especially if I get my hands on them. Those royal leis were stolen many years ago from the women who made them right before they were to be given to Queen Liliuokalani and Princess Kaiulani. They found the thief and chased him into the ocean. Yesterday one of those royal leis was found around the neck of the lady who drowned at Waikiki Waters. To whoever took both my leis today, I hope the sea swallows you up! There is a curse on those leis!” He paused. “Jimmy needs an aspirin.”

  The reporters closed their notebooks, and the cameras were shut off.

  “A flash of yellow,” one of the reporters muttered. “This guy should be easy to find.”

  37

  J ason and Carla were seated at a table by the window, across the room from the twins. Carla couldn’t help looking over at the older women every two minutes.

  “Relax and eat,” Jason told her more than once.

  “I can’t. I’m so mad. They thumbed their noses at us and this beautiful ring.” She held out her hand.

  “Forget it!”

  She tried to eat her ahi burger but didn’t feel hungry. What was it about those two that was different today? She glanced over at them again. They were wearing beige slacks and long-sleeved beige shirts. Carla squinted her eyes and recalled seeing them at the hotel wearing garish muumuus.

  A waitress walked by and refilled their water glasses as Carla remained deep in thought.

  “Carla,” Jason said, “you’re ignoring me.”

  “That’s it!” she whispered to him. “Now I remember what I saw the other night when I took my walk on the beach.”

  “What?”

  “Those women’s muumuus were hanging over their railing. Their lanai is right on the beach. I remember seeing them and thinking that the hotel doesn’t want people hanging things out to dry like that. It makes the place look like a flophouse. The muumuus were soaking wet!”

  “So?”

  “So that’s the night Dorinda Dawes drowned. Maybe they killed her. How else does your muumuu get all wet like that?”

  “How do you even know who the muumuus belonged to, Carla?”

  “They were two big ugly muumuus! I know they were theirs. I was tipsy, but I remember thinking that I had seen them before. One was hot pink and the other purple, and otherwise they were identical. They practically glowed in the dark.”

  At the other table the twins called for their check.

  “Get our check,” Carla ordered Jason.

  “Why? I’m not finished.”

  “I want to follow them and see what they’re up to.”

  “What?”

  “We have to. They could be murderers. It’s our duty.”

  Jason rolled his eyes. “You’re crazy,” he muttered as he signaled their waiter. “There’s no law against hanging your muumuu out to dry.”

  “No, there isn’t,” Carla agreed. “But I still think they’re no good.”

  “I guess we’ll find out.” Jason sighed.

  They certainly would.

  38

  R egan wandered down to the beach to look for Kit. She spotted Steve and Kit under a large umbrella near the edge of the ocean.

  “We’ve been waiting for you, Regan,” Steve announced as he jumped up. “We have a seat right here with your name on it!”

  “Thanks.” Regan plopped down and kicked off her sandals. It felt good to dig her toes into the warm sand. Kit and Steve were in bathing suits, and their hair was wet. It was after four, and already many of the sunbathers had retreated from the beach. Empty beach chairs dotted the sand.

  “How’s it going?” Kit asked.

  “Fine.”

  “You’re not a beach person?” Steve asked.

  “I love to swim, but I can’t sit in the sun for very long. No matter what I put on, I get burned.” Regan explained.

  Steve laughed. “There are a lot of different ways to get burned.”

  “I suppose,” Regan answered. Their eyes met for a second, but he looked away quickly. Funny, Regan thought. All of a sudden he looks older than thirty-five. And last night he seemed much more wholesome. Right now he has the aura of someone who’s been to one too many singles parties-slick and tired.

  “Kit tells me your fiancé is head of the major case squad in New York City.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “And you’re a private investigator?”

  “That’s right.”

  Steve smiled. “No one can get away with much when the two of you are around.”

  “I can’t wait to see what their kids are like,” Kit said with a grin. “I’m the godmother of your first-right, Regan?”

  “I’ll be the godfather,” Steve volunteered.

  Kit looked at him with an expression of pure joy.

  Oh, Kit, this guy is too smooth, Regan thought. He seems to be the type who promises too much too soon and doesn’t mean a word of it. He had already given Kit the line that he couldn’t believe they had so much in common. And Kit loved it! But Regan silently warned herself not to become one of those women who gets in a good relationship and then loses patience for their single friends’ dating problems. “Let’s see if we’re lucky enough to even have kids,” she answered.

  “I want to have a houseful of children,” Steve declared.

  And I want to trust you, Steve, Regan thought. Don’t make it so hard. Those classic lines you’re feeding Kit are just too much. Regan had heard them all and much to her regret, had too often believed them. I should say a prayer right now thanking God for Jack. Regan watched as Steve reached over and patted Kit’s knee. Kit smiled and reached out her hand. He clutched it for a moment and then brought it to his lips for a little kiss.

  I feel a wave of nausea, Regan thought. This Romeo is getting phonier by the minute. Her cell phone rang. Saved by the bell. She reached for it in her bag and pulled it out. The caller ID had the Hawaii area code.

  “Hello.”

  “Regan, it’s Janet. We’ve got a problem. The leis were stolen from the museum, and Dorinda’s cousin is on his way from the airport. He should be here in about fifteen minutes.”

  Regan stood. “Thank you. I’ll call you right back.” She closed her phone and turned to Kit and Steve. “I have some business to take care of.”

  “Dinner at my house tonight,” Steve proclaimed. “We’ll cook up some tuna and mahimahi, with a little Italian bread. It’ll be great. Same group as last night.”

  I’d rather stick pins in my eyes, Regan thought. “Sounds wonderful,” she said with a smile. “Kit, I’ll see you back at the room later.”

  “I’m going to take off soon and go food shopping,” Steve announced. “If you two don’t mind taking a cab to my place, I’ll of course get you home.”

  “Do you need help?” Kit asked.

  “No,” Steve answered quickly. When he saw the dejected look on Kit’s face, he added, “you girls have a little time together. My buddies are back at the house. They’ll help me get the dinner ready.”

  “I have to get back to this caller,” Regan explained. “Kit, I’ll see you by six at the latest.” She turned and headed toward the hotel. She couldn’t believe that both leis were stolen. Dying to hear how it happened, Regan rushed to Will’s office.

  Janet was sitting at her desk, glasses perched on her nose, phone to her ear. A little television was on in the corner of the office. The station was replaying Jimmy’s press conference.

  “Can you imagine?” Janet asked.

  “No,” Regan answered as she listened to Jimmy threaten the thief. “How could this have happened so fast?”

  “I’ll tell you one thing,” Janet said when Jimmy was finished. “I think he’s right. There must be some
kind of curse on those leis. They’re certainly creating chaos with our ball.”

  “Someone just walked up behind Jimmy and stole the leis?” Regan asked.

  “Just like that.”

  “And the only lead is that the thief may have been wearing or carrying something yellow?”

  “That’s all Jimmy remembers.”

  “Is Will inside?”

  “He’s just finishing up with someone.”

  Just then the door to his office opened. “Hi, Regan,” Will said. “Say hello to Ned. He works here at the hotel, helping people get in shape.”

  “I could use a little exercise,” Regan joked as she reached out her hand.

  Ned shook Regan’s hand firmly, so firmly that she had to resist the impulse to massage her thoroughly squeezed palm. He’s a strong, athletic-looking guy, Regan noticed. I guess he can’t help himself. Though he does seem a little distracted and fidgety.

  “Nice to meet you. Talk to you later, Will,” he said and was gone.

  “He’s a big help,” Will explained as he shut the door. “I’ve had him spending time with that tour group we were talking about before. He’s been great with them. He has a lot of patience.”

  He didn’t strike me as the patient type, Regan thought as she sat in what by now felt like her chair. “Will, what happened to the leis?”

  “Janet told you they were stolen.”

  “I just saw the press conference. I can’t believe it. What is with those leis? It’s as if they’re taking on a life of their own.”

  “And just when my parents are coming to town. With my luck someone will offer to sell them to my mother again.”

  “What effect will this have on the ball?”

  “It’s hard to say. The fund-raising committee is trying to figure out what else they can auction off that will get people excited. People have already paid for their tickets. We have to make sure they don’t try to cancel.”

  “No matter what, you’re getting a lot of publicity.”

  “If I live through this weekend, it’ll be a miracle.”

  The buzzer on Will’s desk rang. Janet informed him that Dorinda’s cousin had arrived.

  “This should be interesting,” Will commented with a raised eyebrow as he got up from his desk and walked over to open the door.

  Regan turned and was shocked at the sight of Dorinda’s closest kinfolk. Maybe because he lived in Venice Beach, California, she expected a young muscular skateboarder. But this guy was about seventy and had brownish-red shoe polish hair. He was wearing a loud print shirt, tan pants held up by a white patent leather belt, and white patent leather shoes. His bushy eyebrows and sideburns looked as if he’d made an attempt to match them with the shade of his hair but hadn’t quite succeeded. He was medium height and medium build with a protruding stomach that struck Regan as the steering wheel for his body. But he seemed an affable sort as he put down his carry-on bag on the floor and greeted them.

  “So pleased to meet you,” he boomed to Will. “I’m the cousin.”

  The cousin? Regan thought. That’s a good one. The cousin of the deceased.

  Will introduced himself and Regan.

  “Hello, Regan,” he boomed. “I’m telling you traveling these days is getting tougher and tougher. The lines at the airports are just terrible. I need to sit down.”

  “Please.” Will quickly indicated the other chair in front of his desk. “Your name is?”

  “Oh, yes. Well I’m a Dawes. Dorinda’s father and my father were brothers. Dorinda’s father got married much later in life. They said they never thought Uncle Gaggy would tie the knot, but he finally did. That’s why there was a little bit of an age difference between me and Dorie.”

  Uncle Gaggy? Dorie? And I’d say there was more than a little bit of an age difference. Your last name is Dawes. And your first name? Regan wondered.

  The cousin sat down and crossed his legs, extending his left leg. The pointy toe of his shoe was inches from Regan’s thigh.

  “Can I get you anything?” Will asked.

  “I’m telling you I could use a mai tai. But right now I’ll settle for a cup of that coffee you have over there.” He pointed to the pot on a side counter. “Is it that fancy Hawaiian coffee that Dorinda liked? She had champagne tastes I’m telling you.”

  Will jumped up and poured a cup. “Dorinda did like this Kona coffee,” he mumbled.

  “Thank you,” the cousin said as he stirred his coffee and added three sugars. He cleared his throat. “Now as I was saying, Uncle Gaggy married later in life. Dorinda’s mother was no spring chicken, either. They had one child, Dorinda. Her parents have been dead about ten years. I was an only child as well. But we didn’t grow up together. My parents have passed on and I’m Dorie’s only relative, but she didn’t seem that interested in getting together much. We spoke occasionally.” He paused to take a sip.

  My God, Regan thought. I never met Dorinda, but from what I gather she wouldn’t have found you to be her speed. And you were her only relative. I’m sure she wouldn’t have introduced you to her friends because she wanted to project a more chic image. Regan was about to ask him a question when he started talking again.

  “That’s good coffee. Hawaii produces good coffee,” he pronounced, then started to laugh and slap his knee. “I still haven’t told you my name. I’m Gus Dawes.”

  Regan smiled. “It’s good to finally know your name, Gus.”

  “Now I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?” he asked as he wiped his mouth with the paper napkin Will had offered him.

  Regan looked at Will and decided to let him answer the question. She didn’t know how much Will wanted to tell Dorinda’s only relative about his suspicions relating to her death. She needn’t have worried.

  “Regan is a private investigator who is staying at the hotel. I met her the other day and asked her to look into Dorinda’s death,” Will stated.

  Gus uncrossed his leg, much to Regan’s relief, and crossed the other one. At least there’s no one sitting in the direction of his other shoe, she thought. Gus leaned forward and grabbed the sole of his left loafer. “I’m not surprised. With that acid pen of hers, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of people wanted to kill her!” He chuckled. “Even when she was a kid, she was a brat,” he reminisced. “I remember being at a family party. She had her little camera and was going around taking pictures of people’s behinds.” He started laughing, then coughing, then gained control of himself. “She enjoyed making people look stupid.”

  Clearly he’s not grief stricken, Regan decided. Will’s expression, she realized, was one of horror. He’s probably wondering why he ever hired her.

  “I think that’s a good idea to check out her death,” Gus continued. “I’ve also been thinking about that lei she had around her neck. She always managed to get herself into trouble.”

  “That lei has been stolen again,” Will informed him and gave the details of what he knew.

  Gus slapped Will’s desk. “You’re kidding! Well, I’ll tell you.”

  “When’s the last time you saw Dorinda?” Regan asked.

  “Three or four years ago.”

  “You live in California?” Regan asked.

  “Yes. I love the sun. It’s wonderful.”

  “Do you have any other family?” Regan asked.

  “A few distant cousins on my mother’s side, but they’re strange.”

  “How long are you planning to stay in Hawaii?” Will asked.

  “I figured as long as I’m making the trip and have a place to stay, I may as well make the most of it. I figure about ten days. I want to see the Dole plantation and do some sightseeing. Hey, I hear that a few months back thousands of pounds of bananas were stolen from a farm up north. I hope those thieves acted fast. After a couple of days what are you going to do with them? They start to smell and they attract flies.” His eyes crinkled as he laughed. “I say they should check and see if there’s a cereal convention going on around here. That’s the
most likely spot for all those bananas!”

  Will smiled trying to be polite. “So you will clear Dorinda’s things out of the apartment when you leave?”

  “Oh, yes. I spoke to the woman at her apartment in New York. She has Dorinda’s apartment for a few more months. Then I’ll take a trip to New York and clear things up there. It’s a good thing I love to travel. It’s good to get away. Who knows? Maybe I’ll stay here until Dorie’s lease is up.”

  “Gus,” Regan began, “I was wondering if I could go with you to Dorinda’s apartment. I want to see if there’s anything there that might be helpful in figuring out what might have happened…”

  “Be my guest,” Gus said. “I was told I could get a set of keys from the superintendent. Do you want to come with me now? Because, let me tell you, once I get in that bed and fall asleep, I’ll be out for twelve hours. But tomorrow I’ll be ready to rock and roll.” He turned to Will. “I see you’re having a big ball tomorrow night. Any chance I could get a ticket? I love to party.”

  “I’m sure we could arrange that,” Will said.

  “Grand! Let’s go, Regan. I’m dying to get out of these clothes.”

  Will looked at Regan and smiled.

  “I’m ready,” Regan said, winking at Will. Wait till Jack hears about this, she thought.

  39

  N ed went back to his room, not quite believing that the people he had sold the lei to thirty years ago could be Will’s parents. How is it possible? he wondered. But how many other people could be called Bingsley and Almetta? It was thirty years ago, and I still remember being surprised by their names. And he remembered how intently Almetta had stared at his feet. Maybe she had forgotten. Not that it mattered. He had no intention of exposing his feet to them even though Will wanted him to take them swimming and boating tomorrow.

  When he got to the room, he was grateful that Artie was nowhere in sight. He flipped on the TV. A reporter was talking about the theft of the shell leis.

  “In broad daylight a brazen criminal went up and grabbed them off the picnic table outside the Seashell Museum, but not before brutally shoving the owner to the ground…”