Killer Confections8 Delectable Mysteries(50)
We drove through the imposing entrance to Koffee Land and followed the long curving drive to the visitor’s center. The parking lot seemed more crowded than on our last visit. The center, however, was empty except for Tiffany who stood behind the counter.
“Your parking lot is packed.” I said. “What did you do with everyone? Are they all on tour?”
Tiffany shook her head, the ebony strands of her glossy hair flying in every direction. “The television people are here today. They’re hosting some kind of reception for the contestants in the gazebo.”
Stan’s eyes lit up. “Could we take a peek?”
She smiled and shrugged. “I’m not sure. You can ask Regan if it’s okay.”
“Is she around?” I asked.
“She should be in her office.” Tiffany picked up her phone and dialed an extension. While we waited, I perused the goodies in the Donkey Ball aisle. Some folks take Xanax for anxiety. I find that chocolate is cheaper and tastier. With my brother in jail, I could use a pound or two of the over-the-counter medication.
I heard noises and glanced up, expecting to see Regan. Her handsome boss approached, dressed in an off-white suit and Panama hat, looking the picture of a nineteenth-century plantation owner.
Regan followed behind Ritz. I couldn’t imagine concentrating on work while my husband languished in the detention center, but she possessed an amazing loyalty to her employer.
“Ritz, you remember Dave’s family.” Regan reintroduced all of us to her boss.
He latched on to my mother’s hands. “Regan has told me about your son’s difficulties. Please let me know if I can do anything to help. The police here are not so experienced in the murder cases. I’m sure it is a big mistake.”
Mother gently released her hands from his grasp. “Thank you. I appreciate your offer. This has been a trying vacation. First Regan was in custody and now Dave.”
Ritz smiled at my sister-in-law. “I’m most relieved to have Regan back here at Koffee Land. She is the backbone of our enterprise.”
Regan’s face glowed with the compliment. The owner had definitely mastered the art of positive reinforcement.
“In the brief time that I met her, Keiki seemed like a nice girl,” Stan said, “but she’s been kind of a vacation wrecker.”
I could see Regan mouthing the words “home wrecker” under her breath.
“Ah yes, the young victim. Such a tragedy,” Ritz replied.
“Did you know her?” I asked.
He nodded. “She stopped by on occasion to see her stepfather. Keiki seemed to be a source of much frustration to Victor and his wife. A beautiful but confused young woman, I would say. She made Henry crazy, too. Have you met her brother-in-law?”
“Yes, we’ve met both Walea and Henry. How did Keiki upset him?”
“Henry mentioned she had a drug problem, but I don’t know the details. I know he was nervous when she was selected as one of the contestants for the reality show. I think he was afraid she might do something to embarrass the family.”
“Keiki was supposed to be on The Bride and the Bachelor?” I asked.
“Such a tragedy to have her young life cut short,” Ritz said. “This show might have been the impetus to turn her life around. But moving on to happier topics, have you had the opportunity to explore our beautiful island?”
“We’re going on an ATV tour in the Waipi’o Valley tomorrow,” I said.
“Ah, the Valley of the Kings. Waipi’o is indeed a special place. Make sure you don’t miss the view from the rim.” Ritz glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry. I have a meeting in Hilo. Again, please let me know if I can be of service.” We thanked him and he headed out of the center.
“Have you heard from Dave or his attorney?” I asked Regan.
“Not yet. But it’s probably too soon.” Regan chewed on her thumbnail. “I need to get back to work. Can I get you anything else?”
Mother looked ready to burst in tears. “This waiting is killing me.”
“Could we walk around the grounds?” I asked, hoping that might calm my mother while we waited to hear from the lawyer.
Regan looked relieved to get rid of us. “Sure, just don’t disturb the TV crew. They have something going on with the contestants over in the pavilion.”
We said goodbye to Regan and Tiffany then walked out of the center. A series of gold arrows pointed to various locations on the property, all of which seemed to lead in the same direction. Even without the arrows, we would have been able to locate the TV crew from the noise.
“Your sister-in-law seems to place far more importance on her career than her husband,” Mother confided as we walked side by side down the graded path.