Dark Mind

by Jennifer Chase

  Lani took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

  The lock slowly disengaged as the door opened. A thin man with dark hair and a neatly trimmed goatee didn’t look Lani in the eye, but opened the door wider for him to enter.

  Lani began, “Mr. Stillman?”

  “Yes, come in.” He said in passing.

  Gently shutting the door as an attempt to put off the most horrible news, the distraught man moved slowly to the living area. His shoulders were slumped and he wore his heartbreaking stress not only on his face, but on his body as well.

  Lani took a quick look around the room out of habit, but with some curiosity. He had only been in a few of the luxury hotels over the past few years and they did take your breath away. This getaway was for fun and relaxation, not homicide.

  Assessing the room, he saw scattered women’s clothes and jewelry laid out, obviously for an evening of fine dining. There were various brochures of island activities of parasailing, hiking, and tubing.

  The weight on Mr. Stillman finally crumbled and he sat down on the couch with his head in his hands. Tears welled up in his eyes. “Is it her?”

  Lani felt his arms were heavier than cement as he reached into his notebook and retrieved the photo of the victim. “Is this your fiancé?”

  Mr. Stillman’s right hand shook as he took the photo and stared at it. For a moment, Lani thought that it might not be the woman he was going to marry.

  The man then clenched his fist crushing the photograph and wept.

  “Are you sure?” The sergeant asked.

  “It’s her!” He stood, dropped the crumpled photograph on the floor and walked away.

  Not knowing what else to say, Lani responded. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Mr. Stillman turned to Lani. “Why? Who would anyone do this?”

  “We are investigating and will do everything possible to catch her killer.” Lani felt that his comments were hollow and lame, but it was difficult to convey anything else under such horrible circumstances. “Can you answer a few questions?”

  Taking a deep breath, the man nodded.

  “It won’t take long. Can you tell me what she was doing when she left here yesterday?”

  “I just flew in yesterday afternoon because I had some work to finish up back home in San Francisco. We were going to meet for a late dinner.” He stopped for a moment to gather his thoughts and emotions. “Carolyn was taking a hike to get some photos for her web site magazine. She mentioned that she wanted to get some sunset photos that’s why we were going to meet for a late dinner.”

  “Do you know where she was hiking?”

  “Um, Kailua trail? I think…”

  Lani scratched down notes and looked up. “Yes, Kailua ridge trail. It’s a moderate to difficult trail. Do you know if she went with anyone else?”

  Mr. Stillman laughed softly. “No, she always liked to hike alone. She was stubborn that way…”

  “Can you tell me about anything she said or worried about when she was here?”

  “No. Nothing. Everything was fine. She was happy and excited that we were able to have some time away together. But now…”

  “I think that’s enough for my report for now. If I need anything else where can I reach you?”

  He went to his appointment book and took out a business card, scribbled down the number of the hotel, and gave it to Lani. “I will be here for a few days or you can call my cell phone anytime.”

  Taking the card, Lani said, “Thank you.” He gave the grieving man his own business card. “If you think of anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

  The man nodded as his eyes welled up with tears again.

  A familiar buzz of a cell phone interrupted the stilted silence between the two men. It was a text message marked urgent from the department. It meant get back there as soon as possible.

  More trouble loomed over Lani’s day.

  “Thank you.” Lani strode to the door as quickly as he could, exited, jumped back into the elevator, and headed for the lobby.

  * * * * *

  “You understand that the department’s reputation and appearance is the most important thing during the course of this homicide investigation.”

  “Of course.” Lani knew where this one sided conversation was headed.

  Police Chief Rogers shifted his out of shape body in his oversized, designer leather chair. His grey hair was meticulously combed and glued in place, even in the most brisk trade winds. He didn’t hide the fact that he didn’t like Lani, but there were probably only a handful of people he truly liked. He looked to his partner in crime – the mayor.

  “Sergeant Candena you’re an outstanding officer and we appreciate the loyalty you’ve given the police department and Kauaiian community.” He looked the exact opposite of the police chief, tall, skinny, and curly brown hair. His eyes shifted around the room.

  “Thank you sir.” Lani didn’t flinch or avert his gaze. Most importantly, he didn’t want to show any uncertainty or weakness.

  The chief interrupted. “We don’t want any leaks, or around the water cooler bullshit, to get out into the community. Calls are already coming in that there’s a crazed killer on the loose.”

  In more of a calming tone, the mayor said, “Sergeant just keep your ears and eyes open like you normally do, but keep your comments to yourself. Understand?”

  “Perfectly.”

  The chief squinted his expression and stared at Lani.

  Lani took a moment and spoke out of term. “Sir, may I?”

  “Go ahead.” He spat out in annoyance.

  “What if we are looking at a serial killer?”

  “We’ll just have to wait and see and take it from there. Don’t think that I don’t know about all of your textbooks about homicides and serial killers. This isn’t your case. We’ve got it covered.” He leaned back and crossed his hands over his oversized belly.

  “I’m just saying it has all the calling cards of a serial killer.” Lani held his place in the conversation.

  “If we need your help, we’ll let you know. Dismissed.”

  “Thank you sir.” Lani gritted his teeth, rose from the chair, and left the office.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twelve

  Wednesday 1430 Hours

  It wasn’t difficult to find out if the murder was real or pure gossip, and where the crime scene was located. Every island emergency vehicle and police car swarmed the large piece of land that once housed a sugar plantation on the south east side of the island.

  The news van had already left with their breaking news report about a tourist brutally murdered. They must carefully balance the announcement of the heinous crime without affecting the tourism or panic the local community. Whether they knew it or not, more curious minds would flock to the island to try to get a first hand look at anything relating to a serial killer.

  Three uniformed police officers meandered without official purpose where the body had been placed. Their animated voices echoed throughout the old plantation. The conversations switched from the events of the crime to what they were planning on doing on vacation and sports scores.

  The weakened creak and groan of the supply building floor, used at one time for sacks of supplies and sugar to be shipped to the mainland, expounded its age. The abandoned plant had been long forgotten. The sadly posted “No Trespassing” signs had faded. The tattered warnings hung askew waiting for a strong wind to carry them down to the shoreline.

  Emily suffered from sore muscles as she peered through a convenient crack in the building. She spied the last remaining group of officers that were supposed to secure the crime scene, but they looked more like they were waiting for more groupies to arrive.

  Finally, one of the men began to roll up the familiar yellow crime scene tape. The officers took their time returning to their cars and within another fifteen minutes the patrol cars exited the dirt road out of the plantation, leaving just a dust cloud behind.

 
“Finally.” Emily barked with annoyance. She rolled her shoulders to relieve increasing neck tension.

  Rick sat next to her searching the Internet about the Kauai murder or anything else about the Kauai police department on his cell phone. He stood up and smiled at Emily.

  “What?” She said with a hint of irritation in her voice.

  “Patience isn’t one of your virtues.”

  “Very funny.” Emily picked up a backpack filled with a few supplies that would assist her in her search.

  “You didn’t have to fight those jerks with your bare hands.”

  She stretched her back and twisted slightly to relieve more of the binding strain. She was glad that she dressed more appropriately for her task in a pair of jeans, light grey tee, and proper hiking shoes, even though the humidity wreaked havoc on her skin and clothes. The saturated perspiration had already begun.

  She became somber and focused.

  “Now, that’s what I love about you.” He kissed her cheek playfully.

  Emily softened, she knew that she took her crankiness out on Rick. She slung her backpack onto her shoulders as Rick moved the large board that doubled as a door. It screeched in dismay and upset a few nesting spiders.

  They were just about to step out into the conveyer area of the property when Emily stopped. “Wait.” She gently put her right palm on Rick’s arm.

  Rick obediently stopped.

  Emily had her reasons. She surveyed a crime scene area and took everything in. Not just the area where the body was found, but the entire zone, entrances and exits, use of the surroundings, and what motivated the killer to leave the victim at a particular spot.

  Emily dropped her backpack on the ground and unzipped the main compartment. She retrieved a SLR digital camera and quickly changed the lens to a telephoto. She checked the battery to make sure it wouldn’t drain unnecessarily with the larger lens.

  Emily took a step forward and planted her feet firmly, raised the camera to her face, focused, and clicked photos in a panoramic succession. Snapping the photographs, she moved to her right until she had completed a 360-degree turn of the area. It gave an overall view of the land, focusing on probable areas of entry and exit.

  Rick looked in all directions as Emily carefully documented the scene. He followed Emily’s logic and approach.

  Emily’s instincts hit the mark on most occasions. She favored walking the perimeter larger than the “usual” crime scene area. It made more sense to her to gain an even bigger perspective, which was generally overlooked by law enforcement investigators and forensic personnel.

  “You want to walk the perimeter and I’ll check out the structures?” Rick asked.

  Looking up at the fast approaching clouds, Emily surmised that rain was inevitable. “Sounds good. I want to see this area from a broader view, since it’s completely unfamiliar to me.”

  A warm raindrop landed on Emily’s nose. The afternoon was destined to be wet.

  Rick retrieved a small, compact digital camera from the backpack and tucked a notebook into his pocket. “See you in a few.” He walked toward the first building and disappeared inside.

  Emily smiled as she watched Rick tuck inside one of the buildings. It was difficult at times to stay focused on the search when she looked at him.

  She slung her damp backpack over her shoulders again and set off to walk the large grid in a clockwise approach. She stayed farther from the actual police barrier because she often would find things that the police had missed. It’s quite often the case, where the killer comes back to the scene to watch the police work. Emily’s grid was similar to a crime scene for a bomb investigation, allowing double the area from the point of impact, or body in this case.

  As she started her walk, she made mental notes. Emily noticed right away that there was a trail down the beach. It wasn’t a bathing and swimming area, but the experienced boater or climber could navigate the area with little trouble.

  Even though the plantation had been shut down for approximately ten years, there were many trodden footprints from people who frequented the new ghost town. No doubt they were looking for demonic apparitions that might frequent the ruins, thought Emily sarcastically to herself.

  A dirt road was the only access into the plantation, now mostly overgrown with weeds and green island grasses, and uneven rocks mixed with the reddish island dirt. There were several paths that led to other areas including the cliffs to the beach.

  Emily distinguished the footprints made by police because of the distinct tread impressions of the combat and SWAT boots left behind.

  Upon closer inspection, bare feet impressions appeared with the emphasis on the big toe and heel. It revealed purpose and directness of the person. The tracks went from the path to the body’s final resting place.

  Emily noted the footprints with a quick measurement of a dollar bill and then photographed it. If she had to guess, the barefoot person would be a man and wear a shoe size of ten, maybe nine and half. The barefoot path led back and forth to where the body was discovered.

  Could it have been an eyewitness? Or, was the killer barefoot?

  Emily followed the trail away from the crime scene. She hiked through an area that wasn’t a commonly walked path, but wanted to get a better feel of the land and the killer’s point of view.

  The rain began to pour. Large droplets weighed down her hair against her face and soaked her shirt.

  Emily dashed for a large palm tree in hopes of keeping the water away from her equipment. The huge leaves helped to act as a makeshift umbrella. The sound of the rain tapped with a tranquil and comforting tempo. She could only wait out the burst before she continued.

  Just as the rain began to subside, Emily emerged from underneath the tree and an old man came face to face with her.

  “Akahele,” stated the old leathered face Hawaiian man. White wisps of hair covered a tanned scalp that had seen many seasons. He mumbled a few more inaudible words.

  Emily was startled as her mind raced. “Who are you?” She wondered where he had come from and why hadn’t she heard him approach.

  He smiled, but it quickly faded from his wrinkled face as he began to walk away.

  “Wait.” Emily jogged up to face the man. The barefoot man wore loose tan shorts and a white tee shirt. She managed to glance down at the approximate size of his feet and noted they were too small for the footprints at the crime scene.

  “Yes.” He said and looked her in the eye. “Kapu.” He pointed to the area where the body had been discovered.

  “Kapu? I don’t understand.” Emily looked into his light, yellowish eyes and shook her head. “Did you see someone over there?”

  He straightened his posture from his hunched over form and still wasn’t as tall as Emily. In broken English, he said, “You… careful… bad one… Kapu… hiding there…” He slowly pointed his right crooked index finger toward the sky.

  Emily shook her head to indicate she didn’t understand.

  “You… luakini…” He hurried away.

  “Wait.” Emily followed and quickly lost sight of the old man. He had vanished. “Hello? Please… wait.” She ran faster dodging the trees and wet grasses, slipping, but catching her balance as her backpack slapped against her body.

  As Emily rounded a corner, someone grabbed her from behind. In a quick reflex, Emily elbowed the person in the solar plexus and was just about to engage in combat with the assailant.

  “Hang on there Ms. Stone.” A deep, booming voice ordered. “Calm down.” Lani released Emily from his grip and tried not to show that he was breathless from the assault.

  Emily stopped, recognized the voice and the body of a late night wrestler. “Sergeant?”

  “We meet again. Where’s your boyfriend?” He studied her and took an extra long glance at her backpack.

  “He had an errand to run.” She caught her breath. “Did you see an old man, I was chasing him?”

  “You were chasing an old man?” His usual stoic expressi
on relaxed.

  “He startled me just like you, but I didn’t understand what he was saying. Something about kapu and luakini.” She searched his face for an answer.

  “Kapu means sacred.” Lani said with the correct Hawaiian dialect.

  “Sacred? Is this area sacred?”

  “No, but you are trespassing.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t realize that, I just wanted to see the old sugar plantation. Never seen one before.” Emily turned and began to walk back toward the cliffs.

  “Ms. Stone how did you get here?”

  Emily stopped and turned to face the sergeant. “I drove, then I walked. That okay?”

  “When it’s on private property that has posted no trespassing signs, I have a problem.”

  “Are you going to arrest me?” Emily dared the officer.

  “I should, but I’m not going to if you tell me why you’re here.” He studied Emily, her movements, posture, and eye contact.

  “First, I didn’t see any signs. And, I’m just exploring your beautiful island.” She watched the officer and wasn’t sure if he was someone she could trust or not. He was more than just law enforcement curious, he was curious about what she was doing and why. It piqued his interest.

  Lani relaxed and said, “What else did this man say to you?”

  “Luakini or something like that.” Emily felt anxious and wanted to get back to Rick before she had to answer any more questions.

  “I see.”

  “What does it mean?”

  “Luakini means a temple for human sacrifice.” He spoke slow and deliberately. But, it still seemed to spook him.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing Ms. Stone or who you are, but I suggest that you move along before I change my mind about arresting you.”

  Emily turned and walked back to the place she started with Rick and to her annoyance the officer kept in step with her. “I don’t know what to tell you. I like to hike.”

  “Look at it from my point of view. You stumble upon a sex slave operation on your vacation, take out two armed men and save two little girls, then you show up at homicide crime.” He paused and studied her face. “What would you think?”