Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery Book 1) (6 page)

“Cole seemed genuinely excited about the project, but Mr. Brown, the customer who comped Kevin and me in Mexico, told me that he thought the whole thing was a scam.”

I frowned. “A scam? What do you mean by that?”

“Brown told me that he’d looked into developing that piece of land himself a while back, but there were a number of issues that prevented it from being a good candidate for such a large project. He said any developer worth their salt would have pulled the history of the property prior to buying it and would have known that project wasn’t going anywhere. It was Brown’s opinion that Cole used the project to scam his investors out of their money.”

If that was true it certainly provided a motive for someone to kill the man. The question was, who were the investors and which of them killed him?

I was contemplating the idea of calling Luke and asking him to make a run at his father again in the hope of learning the identity of at least some of the investors when a thundering sound shook the whole building.

“What was that?” Elva cried.

I looked out the window. The rain was still coming down hard, the surf had increased in height, and the wind seemed to be pounding everything in its path.

“Looks like one of those big palms near the water fell,” I answered.

“Do you think we’re safe here?” Elva asked.

I really wasn’t sure, but I knew trying to drive in this mess wasn’t a good idea. “I think we’re fine. I’m going to go check on Mr. B. He might be an introvert, but it seems like even an introvert would prefer not to be alone on a night like this.”

“I’ll go with you,” Sean offered.

Sean pulled waterproof jackets out of his hall closet for each of us. Personally I was fine with getting rained on, but I could see why Sean didn’t want to ruin his new shirt, which looked like silk. It only took a few seconds to walk from one unit to the next, but even a little bit of rain wouldn’t be good for the expensive fabric.

I knocked hard on the door to unit 6 and waited. No answer. I knocked again and called Mr. B’s name. Still no answer. “I hope he’s okay.”

Sean pulled something that looked sort of like a Swiss Army knife out of his pocket. “I can get in. We should check on him. There’s no way he’s sleeping through all this ruckus.”

“You’re going to pick the lock?”

“Funny but true story: My dad was a thief. A good one too.”

“You’re kidding.”

“’Fraid not. He taught me everything he knew before he passed on a few years ago.”

“And your mom?”

“They met when she tried to pick his pocket.”

I laughed. “Are you pulling my leg?”

“Would I do that?”

He would, but I had the sense he wasn’t. What were the odds that a member of a family of cops would be such good friends with a member of a family of thieves?

The door opened easily once Sean had worked his magic and we stepped inside.

“Hello,” I called. “Mr. B, are you here? It’s Lani, from unit 1. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

My announcement was met with silence. Unlike my condo, which was bright, messy, and lived-in, Mr. B’s was stark and devoid of personal items of any kind. The room reminded me of a hotel room, a place of temporary lodging but certainly not a home.

“The place looks deserted,” Sean observed.

He was right. I had to wonder why the television was blaring and all the lights were on. I quickly looked through the rooms of the one-bedroom condo just to make sure. The place was completely deserted.

“I’m tempted to turn everything off so it doesn’t run all night, but I don’t want to give away the fact that we were here,” I commented.

“It won’t run all night,” Sean answered. “Look here. The lights and television are on a timer.”

“A timer? That means Mr. B might not have been home all the nights we thought he was just being antisocial.”

“Could be. I’ve never even seen the guy. Have you?”

“No. I haven’t ever seen him. I wonder if any of the others have.”

The unit had been empty until a month before, when I first noticed the lights. I’d asked Elva, who was always around, who had moved in, and she’d said it was a man named Mr. B. I’d seen the lights go on and off every night, but I’d never had occasion to actually knock on the man’s door.

We locked the door behind us and returned to Sean and Kevin’s condo. After posing the question to the group, it was determined that no one other than Elva had ever so much as caught a glimpse of Mr. B. She reported that she’d seen him pass by her window on the day he moved in, and then she saw him again on Wednesday, the night the condo was dark. We’d all heard the television and seen the lights go on and off; we’d just assumed he was holed up in his condo, but had he been?

“Okay, it’s crazy to think there hasn’t been anyone living in the condo,” Kekoa insisted. “It seems like there would be signs if the condo was really empty.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“I don’t know. The mail would pile up or something.”

“Not if he didn’t have mail delivered to this address,” I pointed out. “A lot of people have post office boxes.”

“These condos aren’t cheap. Why would anyone rent one they weren’t going to live in?” Carina asked. “It makes no sense.”

I turned to Elva. “You said you saw a man the day Mr. B moved in. What did he look like?”

“He was short. Thin. Had on dark clothes. It was dark and I only saw him from the back, but I’m sure he was no taller than Chen.”

Mr. Chen was our landlord.

“So how, if you didn’t talk to him, did you know his name was Mr. B?” I wondered.

“I asked Mr. Chen about him when I paid my rent. He said the new tenant had wired the money to rent the apartment, so he hadn’t actually spoken to him in person. He said he had a name that was hard to pronounce, so he’d just been referring to him as Mr. B.”

English was Mr. Chen’s second language and he seemed to find a lot of common words hard to pronounce, so this totally made sense. “Okay, so did you get a better look at him on Wednesday when he passed by your window on the way out?”

“He had a pair of sweats on. Gray. With a hooded sweatshirt. The hood was pulled over his head and he had on dark glasses, so I didn’t get a good look.”

“So you saw some guy from the back a month or so ago. He lets himself into unit 6, so you ask Mr. Chen who it is and he tells you the man has a hard name to pronounce so he just calls him Mr. B. We all see his lights and television going on and off, but none of us has ever seen
him
until Elva saw him again on Wednesday. What are the odds of that happening?”

“Sean and I are hardly ever here,” Kevin reminded me. “At least not during the past month. We were assigned to a European flight and then we were away on our trip. In fact, I bet this is only the fourth or fifth night we’ve spent in the condo since the man moved in.”

Kevin had a point. They had been away a lot lately.

“And I work nights and sleep in late,” Carina added. “I figured the guy just came and went when I was either asleep or working.”

Cam, Kekoa, and I all agreed that we’d thought it odd that we’d never seen him, but we really hadn’t thought much about it. We lived busy lives and figured we’d just missed someone who obviously preferred to keep to himself.

“I think one of us should have a chat with Mr. Chen to see if we can get more information about the guy,” I suggested.

“Mr. Chen has left on his trip to visit his family,” Elva reminded us. “He won’t be back for a month.”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot. Okay, I guess we should just all keep an eye on the condo. If anyone sees the guy we should attempt to speak to him. Maybe this whole thing is nothing. The timer could just be a method of dissuading vandals from breaking in when the man is away. Just because he wasn’t home tonight doesn’t mean he’s never been home during the month he’s lived here.”

“That’s true,” Sean agreed. “Who’s up for another hurricane?”

Everyone agreed the drink made dealing with the weather system by the same name a whole lot easier. Not that we were actually experiencing a hurricane. When I’d checked the Weather Channel they were referring to it as nothing more than a strong storm system, but from where I was sitting it felt like a hurricane.

I couldn’t help but think of Luke and all his horses. I guess he must bring them inside when it rained. I hadn’t actually counted the stalls in the barn, but it seemed there were enough for every horse and then some. I was thinking that perhaps I should call Luke just to check in when the lights flickered off.

“I have candles and LED lights,” Sean assured us.

“And the food is ready,” Kevin added.

The newlyweds certainly were prepared for whatever the night might bring. Without the music to drown out the wind and the waves, it sounded like a locomotive was about to plow through the building. I found I was glad I was sharing a meal with friends who felt like family and cared about one another enough to share food and offer comfort during a storm.

Yesterday had been as quiet as the previous couple of days had been eventful. The storm had blown out as quickly as it had blown in. The sun shone high in the sky, the surf was awesome, and the beach was as busy as I had seen it in quite some time. I executed seven successful rescues and stayed two hours past the end of my shift, and by the time I returned to the condo, I was exhausted and went straight to bed.

Luckily, I wasn’t expected at my parents’ house until noon today. Cam and Kekoa both had shifts and left before I even got up. If it wasn’t for the fact that Sandy was tired of waiting to go out and decided it was time to pounce on me, I might have slept straight through the day.

“Okay, I’m coming.” I yawned as Sandy put his face on the mattress next to mine.

He trotted across the room, rummaged through the pile of clothes I’d left on the floor the previous evening, and brought me a shoe in an effort, I assumed, to hurry me along. I crawled out of bed, pulled on some shorts and a clean T-shirt, made the bed, and cleaned up my half of the room, then headed into the kitchen to pour myself a cup of the coffee Kekoa had left in the pot. I searched through the cupboard for something to eat, grabbed a granola bar, and headed out onto the lanai with Sandy.

I hadn’t spoken to Luke since Thursday and I wondered if he actually was going to show up for our family dinner. I’d texted him the address and he’d texted back a thank you but never really committed one way or the other. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted him to come. Inviting him had been a momentary impulse, but since then I’d given way too much thought to whether or not he’d actually come. On one hand, there was a dark and secret part of my soul that missed his smile and hoped he’d show up, but there was a whole other part of me that knew that falling for Luke wouldn’t lead to anything but heartache.

“Beautiful morning,” Elva greeted me as she joined me on the lanai and began picking dead buds from the colorful flowers she’d planted in clay pots the previous summer.

“It really is. I sort of wish I could just head to the beach.”

“Dinner with the folks?”

“Yeah. It’ll be nice to see my brothers, but the waves certainly are calling.”

Elva filled a watering can from the hose used to keep the small lawn that fronted the building moist during the periods when the island went too long without rain. “Been a while since all the Pope offspring have shared a meal together, huh?”

“Yeah. I guess the last time was Christmas. Although the brothers all live within a short plane ride, it’s hard for everyone to get off work at the same time.”

Elva tipped the watering can into the first pot. “I guess working in law enforcement does tend to wreak havoc with work schedules. Is Jeff still on graveyards?”

“He is, but he put in for a couple of vacation days.”

“That’s nice.”

I’d taken Elva with me to my parents’ house on several occasions when I knew she’d be alone. The most recent time was the previous Thanksgiving, when all the Popes were in attendance except Jeff, who, as the low man on the totem pole, was scheduled to work. I think Elva got a kick out of the fact that there were so many people in my life and frequently asked about my brothers.

“Looks like Sandy is enjoying the sunshine this morning,” Elva commented as she completed her task and sat down on one of the patio chairs next to me.

I watched as Sandy ran back and forth across the beach, chasing the waves as if they existed solely for his entertainment. “I worked a long day yesterday so he didn’t get his usual run in the evening.” There was something magical about mornings like this one that made everything seem fresh and new. “Did Mr. B ever show up?”

“Not that I saw. The lights came on as usual, but there was no sign that he was back. I’ve been watching. Now that we know about the timer I’ve been questioning just how much time the man actually spends at the condo.”

“Yeah, the whole thing is really odd. Did Sean and Kevin leave?”

“Yesterday afternoon. They said they’re off to Paris and then on to London. They said they’d be home in a week.”

I wondered what it would be like to travel the world. I supposed I’d enjoy having new experiences and seeing new sights, but I knew I’d miss the islands after only a short time away. There’s something about the tropical breeze, the hibiscus-scented air, and the white sand beaches contrasting with the deep blue sea that beckons me back whenever I venture away for more than a few days.

“I thought we should plan a get-together down on the beach when they get back. Between their work schedules and their impromptu honeymoon, we really never did have much of a chance to celebrate their wedding. It would be fun to throw them a party.”

“That sounds lovely. It’ll give them a chance to bond with Mary and Malia.”

“Did they move in yesterday?”

“Yes,” Elva confirmed. “Or at least they brought the first load of their stuff. I think she said she’d be bringing the rest today. She’s a teacher, you know. Second grade.”

“Has she lived in Hawaii long?”

“Actually, no. She lived in Oregon until last September, although she told me a friend from college lived on Oahu, so she’d visited the island several times. It seems the friend was killed in a car accident last summer and Mary was granted custody of her ten-year-old daughter, Malia. Malia initially moved to Oregon to be with Mary, but she missed her home, so Mary applied for a teaching position on the island. They’ve been staying with friends, but Mary decided it was time for them to make a home of their own. I think you’re really going to like Mary. She’s open and funny and has a huge heart. And Malia…I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a little one nearby.”

I don’t know that I’d ever seen Elva’s face light up the way it did when she referred to Malia. “I look forward to meeting them.”

“I think they’re going to fit right in with our little family. They arrived before the boys left and it seemed obvious Sean was smitten with Malia. He even promised to paint a mural on the wall of her bedroom when they get back into town. It’s a shame they don’t plan to have a family. He’d make a wonderful father.”

“You never know. Now that they’re married, Sean and Kevin could decide to settle down and have kids. Did Carina have an opportunity to meet the new tenants?”

Elva nodded. “She’s already begun to teach Malia the hula. I think a child in the building is just what we all need.”

I smiled. I already had a large and very close family, so I hadn’t necessarily been looking for a second family when Cam, Kekoa, and I moved into the condo, but there wasn’t a person in the group I didn’t count as a very important part of my life.

“Do you have any plans today?” Elva rarely did, but I felt it polite to ask.

“I think I’m going to start a new afghan. My arthritis has been acting up, so it’s been a while since I’ve crocheted, but Malia saw the one on the back of my sofa and mentioned how she’d love to have one in baby blue for her new room. It might take me a while to finish it, but I’m feeling pretty good today and I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

“That’s so nice. I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“I thought I’d stop by the yarn store tomorrow to pick up a deeper blue for the border if you don’t mind stopping.”

“I’d be happy to.”

Every Monday since Elva had fallen and injured her hip three months earlier, I’d driven her into town for her weekly lunch with friends and bingo at the senior center. Although I was far from a senior myself, the eclectic group of men and women who gathered every week welcomed me with open arms and declared me an honorary member. While my service to Elva was supposed to be a temporary one until the doctor cleared her to drive, I found I enjoyed the weekly gathering and was in no hurry for her to resume driving herself.

Elva and I sat in silence sipping our coffee as we watched the waves forming in the distance and rolling toward the shore, growing in height until that perfect moment when they curled and crashed into the churning sea. After a while Elva’s phone rang, so she excused herself and went inside. I knew I should probably head in to get ready for my afternoon, but the sun on my shoulders combined with the sound of the waves almost lulled me back to sleep. In fact, I might very well have nodded off if Sandy hadn’t decided he was done playing in the surf and was ready for his breakfast.

The house where I grew up and my parents still lived is inland. I suppose there are advantages to living away from the sea. As the elevation climbs it tends to be cooler, for one thing. For another, it’s a lot less crowded and the homes are much more affordable. Like the one Jason and Alana live in, my parents’ home is on a large lot with a huge pool and a BBQ area. They like to entertain and do so often, so it’s not at all unusual for the smoke from a roasting pig or family BBQ to be seen rising from their property.

“Aunt Lani!” Kale and Kala ran toward me the moment I stepped onto the back patio. Although they’re twins, they’re very much different in both looks and personality. Kala has her mother’s beauty and soulful eyes. She’s petite, like I am, and has a tendency to be a thinker in spite of her young age, while Kale is tall and husky like his daddy and has an outgoing personality that’s hard to resist.

“Hi, guys. It looks like you’ve already been in the pool.”

“As soon as we got here,” Kale informed me. “Uncle Jimmy is swimming with us. You should come.”

Jimmy had arrived from Kauai the previous day and planned to stay for a few days.

“Maybe in a bit. Are your mom and dad here?”

“Dad’s in the house talking to Tutu Kane [grandfather] about a case Dad is working on and Mom is in the kitchen with Tutu Wahine [grandmother] talking about Uncle Jeff,” Kala informed me. “They all shooed us away; they said their conversations weren’t for little ears.”

“I’ll bet. Is Uncle Jeff here yet?”

“No, but he called and talked to Tutu Wahine, and that made her mad. I even heard her say a bad word.”

“You guys go ahead and swim with Uncle Jimmy. I’m going to go inside and say hi to everyone, but I’ll join you a little later.”

I’d openly admitted that I was looking forward to the fireworks Jeff’s arrival with Candy would cause, but I secretly hoped for everyone’s sake that Jeff would do the smart thing and attend the family event on his own. Though, knowing Jeff, who seems to thrive on chaos and discord, he’d simply called to inform Mom that he planned to bring a date. John lived on Maui as well, so they probably planned to make the trip on the same flight. John tended to be as levelheaded as Jeff was impulsive, so maybe he’d had the opportunity to head Jeff off at the pass and suggest there was a time and place to introduce Candy back into the family and this wasn’t it.

Kala had said Jason was talking to my dad, so I decided to sneak into the house to see if I could overhear what was being said. My old bedroom, which now served as a guest room, was directly over my dad’s office. I knew from experience that if you listened carefully you could hear what was being discussed from one room to the other. I was lucky not to run into anyone as I quickly scurried up the stairs, went into the bedroom, and closed the door. I lay down on the tile floor and began to listen.

“The toxin that was used is pretty sophisticated,” I heard Jason say. “I doubt we’re looking at a scorned lover.”

“Did you look at the man’s activities prior to his stay at the resort?” my dad asked.

“We’re in the process of looking into it. So far nothing really stands out as suspect. He arrived on the island sixteen days ago and checked into a motel in Honolulu, where he stayed for three nights. We haven’t found a paper trail of his whereabouts between his stays at the motel and the resort. I’m guessing he spent his time at a private residence, but we’re still looking.”

“Were you able to find anything on his phone that might point to his whereabouts?” Dad continued his questions.

“So far we haven’t found a phone. He had nothing with him on the beach. We checked his room and found his wallet but no phone.”

“And his business associates?”

“Both Anderson and Devlin seemed to be very upset by Cole’s passing. They mentioned that without Cole’s backers they were never going to have the funding to pull off the project. I realize they could have been lying, but neither partner was on the island when Cole died.”

“One or both of them could have hired someone to administer the toxin.”

“True, but I don’t really see how either had motive.”

I heard a phone ring. Jason answered it, but it sounded like my dad had left the office. I tried to make out what Jason was saying, but he wasn’t directly beneath me anymore and was speaking softly. I didn’t want to be caught spying, so I quickly left the room and made my way back outside. I figured I’d head over to the pool, and if anyone asked I would say I’d been there the whole time.

Jason had said he didn’t know where Cole had been between his three days in Honolulu and checking in to the Dolphin Bay, but I remembered Sean mentioning that Cole had planned to stay with a woman. Maybe Helena? I wasn’t sure if that was significant, but it seemed like the woman might be tied in to the murder.

I was halfway to the pool when I decided to stop to say hi to my fourth brother, Justin, who was watching the outdoor television on the covered patio. He worked for HPD and I hoped he’d have additional news on Branson Cole’s murder. Jason was the official detective in charge of the case and was unlikely to share anything with me, but Justin was a lot easier-going and therefore more likely to drop a piece of gossip.