Wedding Day Dead: A Murder on Maui Mystery (8 page)

“Of course. No problem,” I said.

“Good. I’ll text you my address.”

I hung up the cell phone and slipped it back into my pocket. I didn’t have the slightest clue why Panos’ mother would want to see me. I’d certainly never met the lady. I didn’t know why she would even know about my existence.

I went on a long run that afternoon to try to clear my head. I’d been doing that every day since the news of Panos’ murder, but the runs didn’t seem to make a difference, at least not in erasing the fog that was my brain. After the runs, I’d walk the dog for a cool-down and to get him some exercise too. I was glad for Maui’s presence. He was the only positive thing in my life right now, even if he was always demanding attention.

I took a shower right before heading to Daphne’s home. I put on nice clothes, a pair of pressed khaki pants and a linen shirt. I showed up at her house exactly on time. The house was two stories and had to easily be three thousand square feet. It also sat on an acre of ocean-front land. I had no idea what a piece of property like that cost, but it must have been in the millions.

The door opened before I could ring the bell. I was greeted by a Hawaiian woman who looked to be in her late sixties. She was on the short side, and I believe the polite term in referencing her size is “pleasantly plump.”

“Good morning, Mr. Rutherford,” she said.

“Good morning,” I said.

I entered the house, and she closed the door behind me. The house was as impressive on the inside as it was on the outside. Dark, rich wood covered the
floors. Large tropical plants and flowers were tastefully placed throughout. The decor reminded me a little bit of the lobby of the View, and I wondered which place inspired which.

“My name’s Kalena. Mrs. Laskaris is waiting for you in the back.”

She led me down the front hallway. We rounded the corner, and I saw Daphne. I walked up to her and hugged her. We weren’t close by any means, but it seemed and felt like the appropriate thing to do. I told her again how sorry I was about Panos. She thanked me for coming over to see her and her mother.

“I’ll see him to the sitting room,” Daphne told Kalena.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“It was nice meeting you, Kalena,” I said.

“Nice meeting you, Mr. Rutherford.”

Kalena left, and Daphne took over guiding me to the back of the house.

“One of the bedrooms here is for our mother. She visits at least once a year. Her sitting room is in the back.”

“Kalena seems like a nice woman,” I said.

“Yes, she’s been with us since we moved to Maui. Panos hired her. She does a little bit of everything for us.”

We entered the back room. There was a small book shelf on one wall. The other walls were covered with family photos. The entire back wall of the sitting room was glass and offered a magnificent view of the ocean. Someone had opened the sliding glass door, and a cool ocean breeze blew through the room. I could see why Daphne’s mother would want to spend as much time here as possible.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” she asked.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”

Daphne smiled.

“I’ll go tell Mother you’re here.”

Daphne left. I walked over to the wall of photos. There were several shots of what I assumed was Panos as a boy. There were also photos of Panos and Daphne as teenagers, both smiling and laughing. I couldn’t help but feel horrible for Panos and his life cut-short.

“He was such a wonderful boy. Always running around. Always the center of attention.”

I turned to see Panos’ mother standing in the doorway. I guessed her to be in her late sixties to early seventies, but she still appeared strong and vibrant.

“Hello, Mrs. Laskaris,” I said.

I expressed my condolences for the loss of her son, and she was gracious in her acceptance. She led me over to the two chairs by the back windows, and we sat down. The ocean breeze felt good. I expected Daphne to return, but she never did.

“Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice. I won’t be in town very long, just long enough to claim my son’s body and bring him home.”

“So he’s to be buried in California?” I asked.

She nodded.

“We have a family plot on our property. I intend to bury him beside his father. He and Panos loved each other so much. It seems only right they should be together now.”

She paused, looked out the window, and then turned back to me.

“Panos said he built this room especially for me. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do love this view.”

“It’s quite remarkable. I never get tired of looking at the ocean,” I said.

“I assume you wonder why I’ve asked you here,” she continued.

I nodded.

“Have you met this Detective Glen Adcock?” she asked.

“No, Alana mentioned his name to me a few days ago, but I’m not part of the investigation in any way.”

“I’d like to change that,” she said. “My daughter is under the impression the detective is an idiot.”

“I can’t speak to that. Like I said, I’ve never met him.”

“Panos’ killer must be found, and I have no faith in the local police.”

“I’ve had some interaction with them. I don’t think you should feel that way.”

“I’m a businesswoman, Mr. Rutherford. It’s called ‘limiting the risk.’ I’d like to have a second team working the case. That’s why I asked for you.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” I said.

“I had a long conversation with Daphne about you. She told me how you solved that case involving the murdered artist. She said the police you speak so
highly about falsely imprisoned your friend, and you were the only one who believed in his innocence. She said you seemed like a very smart man.”

She was really laying it on thick,
I thought. Part of me was flattered. Part of me was annoyed by the obvious manipulation.

“I want to hire you to find my son’s killer,” she continued.

“I appreciate your confidence in me, Mrs. Laskaris, but that’s not something I do. It was sort of a one-time thing.”

“Panos was my only son. You must do this for me. I’ll pay you for your efforts.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not for hire.”

“Nonsense. Everyone is for hire.”

The woman was persistent. I’ll give her that.

“Daphne will be your assistant. She’ll report to me each night on your progress.”

“I don’t like having to refuse you, but this isn’t something I can do.”

“Did you like my son?” she asked.

It would be beyond rude of me to tell her the truth, but my hesitation still told her everything.

“I didn’t think so,” she continued. “Is that why you won’t do this for me?”

“I didn’t know Panos well. We spent very little time together. The simple fact is I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to begin an investigation regarding your son. I don’t know any of his connections, and I have no idea who might have wanted to harm him.”

“Daphne knew him better than anyone. She’ll help you with those details.”

“I’m not a professional. I only took on Foxx’s case out of desperation because no one else believed in him.”

“I’ll pay you half your fee upfront. The other half will be paid when you deliver me the name of his killer.”

I turned from Mrs. Laskaris and looked out the window. It was another beautiful day on the island. The sky and ocean were as blue as they’d been that day I sat on the dock with Alana before our sailing trip with Panos. Alana was probably doing whatever she could to help with Panos’ case, even if she’d been forbidden to by her department. I thought back to my flight to Maui. I was so anxious to arrive because I knew Alana would be waiting for me at the airport. I wasn’t sure exactly what changed my mind to help Mrs. Laskaris in that minute
of staring out at the ocean. Maybe I thought I had something to prove to Alana. Maybe I had something to prove to myself. I turned back to her.

“Very well. I’ll get started first thing in the morning,” I said.

“How much is your fee? I’ll write you a check now before you leave.”

I stood.

“My fee is zero. I’m doing this to find a killer, not to profit from the dead. Again, I’m sorry for your tremendous loss.”

Mrs. Laskaris nodded, and I left the room. I headed to the front door and saw Daphne waiting for me.

“Is it safe to assume you’ve agreed to her request?” she asked.

“So you knew what this was all about?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it on the phone. She asked me not to.”

“I understand. Please write a list tonight of who you think may have wanted to harm your brother. We’ll start interviewing them in the morning. I’ll be back at nine o’clock.”

I left the house and drove to the marina where Foxx said he’d seen Alana the other night. I parked and walked down to the dock. There was crime-scene tape blocking the entrance to the stern of Panos’ boat. I looked down on the spot Alana and I had sat just a week ago. I remembered us dangling our legs over the side as we looked out to the ocean. I wondered if I should call her and tell her about my new agreement with Panos’ mother, but I decided not to. She would be against it, and I had no desire to have another argument with her. I still didn’t know where we stood regarding our relationship. I wasn’t even sure we had a relationship anymore. I couldn’t believe the terrible turn my life had taken in such a short time, and I felt guilty for even complaining about it. At least I was still alive. I had a second chance to make things right. Panos didn’t. I decided at that moment to stop feeling sorry for myself. It wasn’t helping anyone, least of all me. It certainly wasn’t going to help me solve the murder of Panos.

I drove back to the house and went for another run despite having done one that morning. When I got back to the house, I found Foxx and Michelle sitting by the pool.

“You’re gonna run those legs of yours right off,” Foxx said. “What have you done? Three marathons this week?”

I smiled.

“How are you Michelle?” I asked.

“I’m okay. I’ve spent most of the week at Alana’s. Hani’s been living there.”

“How is she making out?”

“Like you’d expect. The police have been coming and going and always asking her the same questions.”

That didn’t make any sense, but I just decided to let it go.

“I’m sure she’s glad you’re there for her. It’s really nice of you,” I said.

“It’s not a problem.”

“How is Alana? I assume she’s been at work the majority of the time.”

“Yeah, she hasn’t been home that much, and when she’s there, we can’t get much out of her. Hani keeps asking her about the case, but all Alana says is that they’re still working it. Between you and me, I don’t think they have any idea who killed Panos,” she said.

“Well, she has to keep everything to herself. It’s just police policy. She can’t even tell family members.”

“I understand, but it’s more than that. She’s just really frustrated with that detective. Alana seems to make sure she’s at the house when he comes by to interview Hani. I don’t know Alana as well as you guys do, but it doesn’t take a mind reader to see she’s really annoyed with him.”

“Alana will set him straight. She’s one tough cookie,” Foxx said.

Michelle looked up at me and smiled.

“You know she talks about you all the time.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Alana, of course. All she says is ‘Poe this’ and ‘Poe that.’ She really thinks the world of you.”

“Have you two had a chance to talk?” Foxx asked me.

I shook my head.

“Not since the day after they found Panos.”

“Maybe you should give her a call,” he suggested.

“I think she needs more time.”

I told Foxx and Michelle about my conversation with Panos’ mother and how I intended to start on the case the next morning.

“Please don’t say anything to Hani and especially Alana,” I said to Michelle. “I know she wouldn’t want me interfering with a police investigation.”

“But you’re going to do it anyway,” Foxx said.

I nodded.

“Good for you. It will get you off that damn sofa.” Foxx smiled.

“Do you know where you’re going to start?” Michelle asked.

I told her how I’d asked Daphne to write up a list of people she thought didn’t like Panos. I had no idea how long that list might be. I knew Wes, the co-owner of the restaurant, certainly was mad at Panos, but was he angry enough to cut his throat? Then there was Makani, Hani’s old boyfriend. Panos thoroughly humiliated him at the rehearsal party. Had Makani gotten his revenge later that night? Those were just two people I accidentally found out about in only a week of being around Panos. Logic said there were probably many more, maybe even dozens more. The man was a force of nature who had to have attracted as many detractors as admirers. Finding his killer would not be easy, even if I could identify him or her at all.

VII

Detective Adcock

I
got up early the next morning and tried to remember all the little tricks I had learned while interviewing people during Lauren’s murder investigation. I was about to leave for Daphne’s house when the doorbell rang. I was hoping it might be Alana, but it was some guy I’d never met.

“Hello, can I help you?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m looking for Mr. Rutherford.”

“That’s me.”

“I’m Detective Glen Adcock. May I come in and ask you a few questions?”

The detective was in his late fifties. He was average height and a little heavy - even for his age. He had salt-and-pepper hair. His most distinguishing feature was easily a pair of fuzzy black eyebrows. They were so long and thick that they threatened to migrate across his forehead and join the hair on top of his head. I found it difficult not to stare at those caterpillars. Since they were obviously right above his eyes, I could only hope he thought I was making solid eye contact with him instead of gawking at those beasts.

Alana described the man as an idiot, so I was tempted to shut the door in his face. I knew Daphne had no faith in him either, but I stepped back and allowed him to enter. He followed me into the living room. Maui the dog was lying on the floor near the sofa. He opened one eye when he heard us enter. He growled at the detective, which made three negative opinions against the guy. I didn’t offer him anything to drink. I just wanted to get whatever this conversation was going to be over with as quickly as possible. I gestured to the sofa, and he sat down, while I took a chair off to the side.