Killer Confections8 Delectable Mysteries(49)

Victor’s hands and voice shook as he stared out the door. “I apologize for my daughter. Keiki’s death, following so quickly after Joey’s accident, has been a trying experience for our entire family. Henry blames himself for Joey’s fall. He feels he should have made the boy wait until the morning to fix the cabling.”

“Are you certain it was an accident?” I asked, “Is it possible Joey intentionally jumped?”

The lines around Victor’s eyes etched deeper as he shrugged. “At this point does it really matter?”

I thought it might but decided to let that line of questioning die for now. “Do you know who Keiki started dating after she broke up with Joey?”

Kiana, eyes downcast, plucked at the fabric of her dark skirt. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. I didn’t want to miss the name of the new boyfriend so I leaned forward.

“My daughter had big dreams. But she didn’t always share everything with me.”

“Unfortunately,” Victor muttered under his breath.

Kiana patted his arm. “Keiki is, was an…an adventurous girl. Sometimes her dreams created trouble. Not too long ago, she mentioned there was a man interested in her. Someone she found intriguing.”

“Was it someone she’d met recently?” Mother asked. If the answer was yes, that should eliminate Dave as Keiki’s potential lover.

Kiana shook her head. “No, it was someone she had known awhile. Recently he’d taken an interest in her.”

My mother’s perfect posture wilted and her shoulders slumped. “Someone who might be married?”

Kiana’s eyes, darker than French-roasted coffee beans, gazed wistfully at us. “Possibly. I was afraid to ask. All she said was he had money and a nice car.”

She lifted her arms in a supplicating manner. “Who he was, I do not know. I’m afraid Keiki has taken his name to the grave with her.”

Sadly, whoever it was, may have been the person to send the beautiful dancer to her grave.





Chapter 35





After promising Kiana and Victor we would stop by their house for Keiki’s memorial reception on Sunday, we left their home, pondering the implications of Kiana’s revelations. The description of Keiki’s new boyfriend could fit many men. It also described my brother.

“Should we attend the reception?” Mother asked. “Maybe her parents only invited us to be polite.”

I thought it over for a few seconds. “No, I think they were sincere. Our plane doesn’t leave until the evening, so we have time.”

“Are you kidding?” Stan said. “This is the perfect opportunity to find the killer. Remember all those clues we picked up last time?”

As far as I recalled, my Mother and Liz had each picked up several new clients, but nary a worthwhile clue.

“I bet they’ll have a hula tribute to Keiki.” Stan’s eyes sparkled and he started swaying to the music that must be playing in his head. “I heard they do that in these situations, especially if the deceased was a dancer. Do you think I should offer––?”

“No,” Mother and I shouted simultaneously.

Stan looked hurt so I attempted to mollify him “Hey, pal, you wouldn’t catch McGarrett dancing when he should be detecting.”

He cocked his head. “Good point. Dancing might be a distraction.”

Yeah. For everyone else as well.

I glanced at my watch. “Do you want to stop by Koffee Land and check in with Regan? It’s almost noon and it’s only a ten-minute drive.”

“I could use a cup of java.” Stan yawned.

“It’s probably too soon,” Mother said. “But maybe Regan will have an update on Dave’s status.” The fine lines she tried to conceal with luxury cosmetics were now evident, proclaiming her baby boomer status.

We piled in the car and drove toward Honaunau. Dark clouds crisscrossed the sky, indicating afternoon showers were in the forecast. My ears popped once we reached 2,000 feet in altitude. The higher we climbed, the more exotic the landscaping became. Looking at the large, abundant red blossoms entwined around tall Ohia trees reminded me of a local legend.

Ohia, a Hawaiian chief, supposedly fell in love with Pele’s sister, Lehua. Pele, who wanted him for herself, was so furious with Ohia that she turned him into a tree. The other gods tried but were unable to change Ohia back into a man. When Lehua refused to leave his side, they transformed her into a beautiful red flower instead. That way the two could be united forever.

Needless to say, Pele was pissed.

Whether you’re a goddess or a mere mortal, true love does not always run smooth. Now if we could only determine who was pissed off enough to kill Keiki.