Sometimes I’m quick. Sometimes not. “Huh?”
“He’s afraid to be with her. Thinks she really could be Keiki’s killer.”
Chapter 37
It was a good thing Stan was at the wheel, because Steve’s remark would have sent me off the road with the convertible wrapped around a huge banyan tree.
“Laurel, are you there?” I could hear Steve yelling. My brain felt as frozen as the hand clutching my cell.
“Yeah, just a little shell-shocked,” I replied. “What does Dave want to do?”
“I’m going to pick him up as soon as the police finish processing his paperwork. He can spend the night at my place,” Steve said. “It’s not like Regan has been all that interested in springing him.”
Unfortunately, that was too true. Why couldn’t my sister-in-law put as much effort into her marriage as she did her job?
Steve continued. “Besides, Dave has some information he wants to share with you. Says his little sister can probably out-detect the cops on this island.”
Aw shucks, I thought, blushing at the compliment.
“I’ll be busy with our sunset sail tonight, but you and Dave can talk at my condo. Just try to keep it to yourself. He’s been worried about the stress and its impact on your mother.”
I agreed and hung up the phone. Now all I had to do was find an excuse why I needed to be alone with my brother tonight.
* * *
Getting time alone with Dave proved to be an easy task. Liz discovered the hotel offered free entertainment every Friday night. Hula addict Stan was delighted to watch the show with Brian and Liz. Mother, relieved that Dave was free, was exhausted from the strain of the last few days. She had no issue with her offspring spending some time together.
I grabbed the keys for Dave’s car and headed down the barren lava-rock-lined highway toward Kailua town. I realized this was the first time I’d been by myself in eight days. I love my mother and my friends, but it was nice to have a few minutes of down time to reflect on the week’s events.
I glanced out the car window at the proclamations of love spelled out on the Hawaiian version of graffiti––white coral set on black lava rocks. Did local couples replace the stones when they replaced their lovers? When my husband replaced me three years ago, I was a total wreck. I had no self-confidence or self-esteem. But I’d bounced back. My banking career had taken off and I’d even begun dating.
Okay, the dating thing hadn’t gone all that well. And my self-image still needed a little work. But I felt good about myself finally, and what I had to offer someone in a future relationship. Keeping a marriage alive seemed to be difficult for everyone, my brother included. It’s one thing to suspect your husband or wife is having an affair.
It’s quite another to suspect your spouse is a killer.
I arrived at Steve’s condominium just before sunset. He lived in an older project, but based on the number he supplied, his unit was only steps from the ocean. The elevator creaked its way to the fourth floor. I turned to the left and strolled down the concrete walkway until I reached Steve’s unit.
Dave must have heard my sandals click-clacking because he swung the door open before I had time to knock. His eyes looked bleary and were almost redder than his beard. He held a bottle of beer in one hand while he hugged me with the other.
I noted a typical framed welcome on the wall requesting that all shoes be removed. That was fine with me. My bunion s could use a break from their leather prison.
“Thanks for coming,” Dave said. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m driving so I’d better not have any alcohol. How about a soda?”
Dave grabbed a can of cola out of the refrigerator. I peeked inside, curious to know what a bachelor’s refrigerator looked like. Steve had it stocked with fruits, veggies, yogurt, beer and soda. No wonder the ship captain was in such great shape.
I followed Dave out onto the lanai where we caught the last flickers of the setting sun. As the ball of fire plummeted into the watery depths, I thought I saw a lime-colored burst of light on the horizon.
“Wow, is that a green flash?”
“Yeah, as long as there aren’t any low clouds on the horizon, you can see them frequently. Whenever I have the time to actually watch a sunset, I think how amazing it is that I live in paradise.” Dave picked up his long-necked bottle, guzzled half of it then wiped his lips with his fist. “Although lately it’s more like Paradise Lost.”
I sat in a beige cushioned chair, and Dave flopped down in a matching chair on the other side of the glass-topped table.
“So what’s going on?” I sipped on my soda then placed the can on the table.