Killer Confections8 Delectable Mysteries(41)

“What the hell is going on?” Number four at 2:10 p.m.

Not the most amorous of texts. Shakespeare sure didn’t have to worry about any poetic competition from my homicide detective. It made me wonder if it was possible to enjoy a romantic relationship with a man who experienced the dark side of life on a daily basis. Was Tom concerned about me or merely annoyed with me?

I hit speed dial to return Tom’s call. My heart thumped loudly while the phone rang. I anticipated my call would go straight to voicemail and was startled when his deep baritone came on the line.

“Laurel, it’s about time you called.”

Grrrr. “Aloha to you, too.”

The phone went silent. I visualized him counting to ten before he responded. “Can you imagine what it’s like to learn that your girlfriend almost drowned and she didn’t bother to call you?”

That was better. He truly was worried about me. And he’d referred to me as his girlfriend. I grinned as I replied, “I know how busy you are. I didn’t think you needed anything else on your plate. Two fishermen came to my rescue so everything is fine.”

“Brian didn’t give me the details so how the blazes did you end up in the ocean? That boat outfit sounds like a shoddy operation. I hope they compensated you for your ordeal.”

“Oh, it wasn’t Steve’s fault someone shoved me overboard.”

“Who the hell is Steve? And what do you mean someone ‘shoved’ you overboard?” The steel in Tom’s voice meant he was back in investigator mode.

Here I was apologizing again, a situation that occurred far too frequently in our erratic relationship. I was a grown woman with a career and a family. I didn’t need someone telling me what to do. Especially from 2,468 miles away.

“Steve is my brother’s best friend and the owner and captain of the Sea Jinx,” I replied in a voice that dripped stalagmite-sized icicles. “He’s been a complete rock for Dave and his wife, and he’s been nothing but kind and solicitous of me.”

My cheeks flushed as I recalled that extremely solicitous kiss last night.

“If you say so.” Tom sounded dubious, but his tone calmed down. “Why do you think someone pushed you overboard?”

I shared the details of Keiki’s murder and Regan’s subsequent arrest, as well as Timmy’s death threat to Keiki and our conversation on board the boat.

By the time I’d finished, the sound of Tom’s fingers drumming on the top of his desk was loud enough to provide a backdrop for an entire dance troupe.

“Honestly, I’ve never met anyone who was such a magnet for murder.”

“Hey, it’s not like I intentionally go looking for murders to entertain me. That’s your job.”

“Exactly. My job is to solve homicides. Your job is to drink daiquiris, lie on the beach, and enjoy your vacation.” Tom chuckled at what he obviously thought was a cute remark.

I bristled at his laughter. “Excuse me, but remember those last two killers I discovered?”

His laughter abruptly stopped. “What I distinctly remember is how you almost died both times.”

Well, yeah. But, technically, I was batting one hundred percent in figuring out whodunit. My timing was just a tad off.

“Promise me you won’t interfere in this case. Let the Hawaii police do their job,” Tom said.

“I promise I won’t get in the way.”

“That’s the vaguest statement I’ve ever heard.”

“Look, my brother and sister-in-law’s welfare is important to me. Besides, the police here don’t seem nearly as intelligent as you and your officers.” I had no reason to make a statement about the competency of the local police, but a little flattery never hurt.

“Nice try. Now please stay out of trouble.”

Yeah, yeah. Heard that refrain before. “It would be a lot easier if …,” the phone clicked and I found myself talking to the dial tone, “you were here with me.”





Chapter 30





Liz had arranged the perfect distraction for our group tonight. One of the largest hotels on the island boasted not only seven restaurants, but guests could travel via electric boat over the resort’s extensive waterways. The Grand Canal–Hawaiian style.

Once the five of us arrived at the hotel, I perked up. If Ben were here, my son would have described the resort as ginormous. Four different pools offered swim-up bars, cave-like grottos, waterfalls and meandering streams. Dolphins chased each other around a large pond, every now and then leaping into the air and thrilling the hotel guests.

We strolled down long open-air corridors lined with multi-million-dollar paintings, beautiful vases from various Chinese dynasties and an array of ancient statues. I lagged behind the others, stopping to read the commentary on a bronze statue representing the Hindu goddess Kali, a twenty-four-armed wonder. I eyed my glossy coral-tipped digits and calculated what a manicure would cost the multiple-armed goddess.