Photo Finished

by Dane McCaslin

  "That was interesting," I said as I approached the front desk.

  "Tell me about it. Pervert." Summer shuffled some papers then rested her arms on the desk. "What's new? Are you liking your new job?"

  "So far. The job still provides a lot of freedom and flexibility, which is nice. Although I have to work a private event for Patti Stone tonight. She didn't give me much of a choice to say no."

  "She's the worst. A few weeks ago, Chef Aki had a major run-in with her."

  I'd heard that Chef Aki was a bit temperamental. I could only imagine the fireworks that would happen when those two went head to head.

  "Really? What happened?" I loved good gossip, especially if it was harmless.

  "Patti had requested dolphin centerpieces. She wanted Chef Aki to make the whole party dolphin themed. So Chef Aki had made these adorable place settings with bananas and blueberries. The bananas were carved and decorated to look like dolphins, and the blueberries were arranged artistically on the plates to resemble the water. In the center, he'd created an oasis of sorts, so it looked like the dolphins were circling the oasis—an island with a large tree in the center, all made of fruit."

  "That sounds amazing." His artwork at the luau the other night was impressive, so I was sure this one was equally so.

  "It was. But apparently not at all what Patti wanted."

  "Why in the world not?"

  "She said the dolphins weren't the focal point and wanted him to do everything over—two hours before the party. When Chef Aki told her that wasn't possible, she pitched a royal fit. Yelling and screaming and pushing people as she stormed out of the banquet hall."

  "Geez, what a witch."

  "Exactly. She's definitely got a reputation."

  The innuendo was clear in her voice.

  "What kind of reputation?" I asked.

  Leaning forward, Summer lowered her volume to a whisper. "Rumor has it that she gets her surfers to sleep with her for better benefits with Ecoboards."

  "That's disgusting. She's so…so…"

  "Old? Teased? Surgically enhanced?" She snorted at her descriptions, and I couldn't help the snicker that escaped.

  "She's not that old, but she's got at least twenty years on her surfers."

  "She calls them her family. Always telling them that they need to be loyal to the 'family.' I've even heard her refer to herself as 'Mama Patti.'"

  "Seriously? Does she not see how messed up that is?"

  Shrugging her shoulders, Summer stood up, straightening the brochures on the desk she'd messed up by leaning on them. "Ok, that's all I can handle of this conversation."

  A girly giggle escaped her. I grinned back, shaking my head.

  In a serious tone, she added, "Just be careful tonight. That cat's got claws."

  "Thanks for the heads-up. Is it time for your break yet?"

  Summer checked her watch. "Sure. I can sneak away. What do you have in mind?"

  "I'm meeting Patti Stone's PA out by the pool. Thought you might want to keep me company before she gets there."

  "Sounds like fun. Give me a second to tell Todd."

  Summer disappeared through the door behind the front desk, returning moments later with a tall, slender young man behind her. That must be Todd. She waved at him over her shoulder as we walked to the pool bar.

  It was a beautiful day, the temperature perfect for sitting outdoors. A cool breeze blew across the water, rustling the palm leaves on the trees surrounding the pool. I desperately wanted one of those boozy umbrella drinks, but I thought consuming alcohol at work might be frowned upon, so I settled for a Diet Coke. After ordering, we found a table and sat down.

  "So why are you meeting with Annie?" Summer asked, sipping on her virgin daiquiri. It even had a little umbrella. Why hadn't I thought of that?

  "You know her?"

  "She's attached to the Stones. Since I've had to deal with them more than I'd like, I've had ample opportunities to meet her. Although she almost blends in with the background. I've never met another person that is so forgettable."

  I knew what she meant. Annie was the definition of mousy. Mousy brown hair, mousy brown eyes, pale skin, glasses, and a face that wasn't quite ugly, just unremarkable.

  "That makes sense. I'm meeting with her under the guise of getting more information about tonight's party, but really I'm going to ask some questions about Derrick and his business."

  "Why would you want to know about Derrick?"

  "I just feel like something's off." I told her about my run-in with him on the beach and how he'd warned me off asking questions. The man had freaked me out more than I wanted to let on.

  "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Autumn. I don't know any more than rumors, but I don't think Derrick is the kind of guy you want to mess around with."

  "What rumors?"

  "Just that there's some things going on that aren't quite on the up-and-up. I have deliberately stayed clueless. Nothing good can come of poking the bear."

  "I have to. I can't live this way, wondering if the killer is going to come after me. When will he get tired of waiting to see if I know something?" I stirred the straw around in my drink as I gathered the courage to voice the concern floating around in my head. "The thing is, what if I do remember something? I've wracked my brain trying to figure out what I could have seen. I think it had to be in the food tent. But for the life of me, I can't remember anything suspicious."

  Summer squeezed my hand on top of the table. "Then you'll take it to the police. But asking questions makes you even more of a target, doesn't it?"

  I smiled. "Only if I get caught."

  "Only if you get caught doing what?" a soft voice said from behind me.

  "Annie! I didn't see you there." My head swiveled around as I jumped up from the table.

  "My break's almost over, so I'm going to hit the locker rooms before I have to go back. See you later, Autumn. Think about what I said," Summer said, taking her drink and walking away, leaving me alone with Annie.

  I motioned to the seat Summer had vacated, for Annie to sit down. I flagged down one of the waiters and asked Annie what she wanted—my treat. She ordered a Diet Coke as well, and I asked for a refill.

  "Want to tell me about this party tonight?" I asked, hoping to start with business and ease my way into further discussion about Derrick or Patti.

  "I don't think there's a lot to tell. Typical luau-style. Patti will want high-quality shots though. Pictures of her and Derrick are always a must, and be sure to get her good side. If there's too many from her left side and not her right, she'll get angry and won't pay for those photos."

  Well, that was good to know. I'd hate to waste money printing out photos she wouldn't reimburse me for.

  "Great. That's excellent information. So who all will be there tonight?"

  "The usual. Surfers. Surfing executives. The resort is making a bid to have the competition moved here this weekend, which means Derrick and Patti would help sponsor the competition on the local level. It could be his big break." Some emotion flickered behind Annie's eyes, but before I could analyze it, it was gone, her features going back to that bland look she usually wore.

  "How did Derrick and Patti know that the competition might be moved here? Juls just found out this morning."

  "They have some inside sources that told them about the fire right after it happened. They were able to get to Alex early this morning, and Alex got his bid in first thing. I'm pretty sure we'll get it. We were already second on the list. The other hotel only got it over us because the competition's marketing director was sleeping with the activities director at the resort." She waggled her eyebrows, her mouth tugging into a grin. It changed her whole face, making her look almost pretty.

  "How do you know all this?"

  "Some PA's like to talk." My mouth dropped open, and Annie laughed. "Don't look so shocked."

  "What did you mean that it could be his big break?"

  She stopped smiling and looked troubled, almost like
she wished I hadn't heard that part.

  As if she could read my mind, she said, "I wish I hadn't said that out loud." She sighed loudly and started to fidget with the straw in her glass.

  "Derrick works hard. He's been trying to break into the international world for years, but he's just never had the opening he needed. The surfboard business is good locally, but in order for them to have the sales they want, they need international recognition. Being a local sponsor for an international competition could do that for him. Plus, if he could get more surfers using Ecoboards, that's free advertising for the company."

  I nodded, pondering this new information in my mind. It didn't make sense then for him to kill off one of his surfers, unless that surfer knew something he wasn't supposed to know. But what in the world could that be?

  "How does Noe's death impact Ecoboards' chances in the competition?"

  A shadow passed across Annie's face, and she looked down, dropping her hands into her lap. When she raised her head again, tears filled her eyes.

  "Noe's death hit us all hard. He'd been with us the longest. Derrick was really torn up about it. Noe had been almost like a son to him."

  A tear rolled down her cheek. Wow. That sounded nothing like what the others had said about Noe. Dax and Phil had made it seem as if Noe was a thorn in everyone's side. Were they telling the truth, or did they just not like him because he was better than them? Or was it because they thought Derrick favored him?

  "I'm so sorry for your loss." I paused, not wanting to sound disrespectful of the dead but knowing I had to take a chance if I was going to get some answers. "A couple of the surfers said that Noe was a show-off and that no one was a real fan of his," I said.

  "They're just jealous. Noe was the best. Dax is good. Really good. And he had the potential to be better than Noe."

  "Jealous enough to end the competition permanently?"

  Annie's chin jerked up in defiance. "What are you insinuating?"

  "Nothing. Sorry. I was just curious how much he'd have to gain if Noe was out of the picture."

  She relaxed, sitting back a little in her chair. "Quite a lot actually. The more competitions he wins, the more prizes and money he gets from Derrick. It's not just bragging rights. Although there are those, and you know how big surfers' egos are—" She paused, looking to me for confirmation. I fake laughed and nodded my head in agreement. "But it's quite a bit of money and fame too."

  I didn't say anything to that. It sounded like Dax might be the better suspect, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Derrick was hiding something, and I wasn't sure I believed that Noe had been like a son to him. I thought back to their interaction the night Noe was killed. Their relationship didn't seem easy or loving. It definitely felt antagonistic.

  "Do you know of anyone that might have a reason to want Noe dead?"

  "I have no idea why someone would kill him. I know all the surfers. None of them are capable of that." Annie looked suspicious. "Why are you asking so many questions anyway? Shouldn't you leave this to the police?"

  Chagrined, I shrugged. "Maybe. It's just that someone stole my camera, so I thought if I could figure out who killed Noe, I might be able to find out who took my camera."

  "Oh. I'm sorry about your camera." Excitement filled her eyes. "Did you see something?"

  "No, not that I can remember. But I'm guessing the killer thinks I did." I shivered. The thought of a murderer having my camera in his possession gave me the willies.

  "Well, I hope you find it." Annie gave a soft smile, and I was taken aback at the change in her facial features. She was passably pretty when she smiled like that. She really should do it more.

  "It couldn't have been any of our surfers. I know the guys are only famous locally, here in Hawaii. But with this competition coming to Aloha Lagoon, we have the home team advantage and the opportunity to show off our talent to the world." Annie's eyes were bright with excitement. "No one would sabotage that. Especially not any of our guys or the Stones."

  "You seem to be very faithful to the Stones."

  "I am. They took me in when I had nothing. My mother had died, and my dad had run off a long time ago. I was working two jobs to make ends meet and not get kicked out of the tiny apartment my mom and I had lived in before she passed." Annie glanced down at her hands clasped together tightly on the table.

  "I applied for the position, and Derrick and Patti hired me. They have a small cabana behind their house that's been turned into a studio apartment of sorts, fully furnished, so I live there rent free and am at their disposal all hours—day or night."

  "That seems like it would be difficult, to not have time for yourself."

  You couldn't pay me enough to be at Patti Stone's beck and call.

  "Working for Derrick is worth it."

  I decided to file that away under the heading Interesting.

  As if regretting what she'd said, Annie jumped up from the table, the chair toppling over in her haste to get away. "I've got to go. Patti will want my help." She turned to leave and suddenly turned back. "Thanks for the soda," she said and then scrambled away.

  Well, that was odd.

  It was almost time for my meeting with Patti, but I had a few minutes to take some photos. Kailani, Noe's fiancée, was teaching hula lessons on the pier, so I took a few photos for Juls. Kailani was beautiful, her long black hair flowing to her waist. Her movements were fluid and graceful, but there was a sadness on her face.

  I turned the camera away, feeling like a voyeur, capturing her grief on camera. The pictures were stunning though, so I decided I'd keep them for myself. Maybe one day I could ask her permission to use them for something, but now it just seemed a little insensitive.

  Since I didn't feel comfortable giving the photos to Juls, I directed my attention to the students and the pier. I caught several guests laughing hysterically and a few with severe looks of determination on their faces. After having them sign waivers on my smartphone so that the resort could use the photos, I found Patti in full freak-out mode, yelling at Kailani.

  I stopped before getting too close, catching Patti saying, "It's not like you were even together anymore. Pull yourself together, or I'll make sure you never work in this town again."

  I gasped, drawing their attention. A look of shame and grief shadowed Kailani's face, and she turned and ran down the pier in the direction of the resort. Patti schooled her face into a mask of professionalism and marched toward me.

  "Perfect timing," she crooned in her fake southern accent.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

  "Nonsense. Just can't have my hula dancers moping about. What would the guests think?"

  Deciding to ignore the extremely insensitive words, I changed the subject. "Where would you like me tonight?"

  Patti clapped her hands together. She seemed to do that a lot. "Yes! I'm so excited about this evening. I'd like you to just walk around and capture everything. Don't leave anyone out."

  No small order. "Do you want posed pictures or all candids?"

  "Candids. Definitely. Now I want to ensure you'll be using a digital camera tonight. I must be able to see what you've captured."

  I shoved down the groan wanting to escape. "Mrs. Stone—"

  "You must call me Patti, dear," she interrupted.

  "Ok. Patti, I will give you a full online portfolio of pictures once I'm done. But it will be a waste of time if you're peering over my shoulder the entire time. I'll need some freedom to work to ensure that I take the absolute best pictures." I smiled, hoping that would soften the rejection of her offer to micromanage me.

  "Well, I'm sure there will be a few that I can review. Anyway, once again I still must insist that you use a digital camera."

  I nodded in agreement. "It's all I have right now anyway. My other camera was stolen."

  "Excellent!" she shouted.

  I wasn't a violent person, but right at that moment, I wanted to punch her in her perfect surgically crafted nose.

&nb
sp; "I'm so glad my misfortune is such great news for you."

  Patti looked confused and then waved her hand as if to brush away my words. "Nonsense. I'm simply happy you have a real camera to use tonight. Now, please be here an hour before it starts. I'd like to get some pictures of the setup. And please be sure to wear traditional Hawaiian attire."

  I couldn't contain the groan this time. "Meaning?"

  "A muumuu, of course," she said, clapping her hands once again.

  It was extremely annoying. Almost as annoying as the muumuu I'd be forced to wear again tonight.

  "I must go make sure that terrible Chef Aki has everything in order for this evening. I'll see you later…"

  "Autumn," I supplied.

  "Yes, right." She waved her hand again, as if to communicate the word whatever, and teetered off in her too-high heels and too-tight skirt. It was a wonder she could walk at all in that thing.

  Annie slid up beside me. "Sorry about that," she said.

  "It's not your fault."

  "I know. She comes off a little strong sometimes. She's just really ambitious. Knows what she wants, you know?"

  I shrugged. I didn't think being ambitious was synonymous with being a witch.

  "Is Kailani ok?" I asked as I watched in dismay as Patti found Kailani on her way to see the chef.

  "I guess she is. She's pretty broken up about Noe," she said.

  "Well, I guess so. He was her fiancé."

  "Not really. She'd told him it was over. He just didn't accept it."

  "I saw them together at the party. Seemed like he was trying to get her to work things out."

  Annie shook her head. "Noe was stubborn. But Kailani, well, she was—"

  "Annie! Let's go!" Patti yelled across the pier. Apparently she was done chewing out Kailani.

  "Gotta go," Annie said, and took off in a fast walk after Patti.

  I couldn't help but feel whatever she was about to say was important to figuring out who killed Noe and who took my camera.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Kailani ran toward the ramada, and I made the quick decision to follow her. She was on my list to talk to, so it made sense to see if she was willing to open up.