It made Cindy blush. She wasn’t shopping for a guy while on vacation. That would be long-distance crazy making. In the next moment she thought of her dinner with the detective and blushed harder, much to the delight of the flower vendor. She shook her head. What would Jeremiah say?
~
Things were quiet without Cindy around, Jeremiah realized. He walked into his house and gave Captain a quick pat on the head. He kept expecting to see Cindy or hear from her in some way. The conversation with Mark had shaken him more than he liked and he wanted someone to talk to.
Not that he’d ever talk to Cindy about counseling Mark. Not only would that violate Mark’s privacy, it would also open a whole can of worms that he wasn’t ready to deal with yet.
You should tell her who you are
, a voice seemed to whisper in his head.
Who I was
, he corrected the voice.
That’s not who I am anymore
.
The still small voice didn’t seem to believe that anymore than he did.
He took out his wallet and phone and deposited them on the dresser in his bedroom. He picked his phone back up and checked it. His heart lifted a little when he saw that he had missed a call from Cindy. She hadn’t left a message.
He was about to call her back when he stopped himself. She was on vacation and he had promised himself he wouldn’t disturb her while she was gone. If she hadn’t left him a message it couldn’t be anything important. For all he knew she had dialed the number by accident before hanging up.
He sighed and put the phone back down. He stared grimly at his reflection in the mirror.
Why did things have to be so complicated?
Captain padded into the room and whined deep in his throat. Jeremiah patted him. “Not the way I wanted to spend my day off either, boy.”
The dog dropped a tennis ball at Jeremiah’s feet. Jeremiah sighed as he picked it up. “You want to go to the park and play, don’t you?”
The dog wagged his tail as though he understood and whined again.
“Okay,” Jeremiah relented, wishing there was a better place he could take the dog to play fetch. For a brief moment he thought of Cindy’s friend Joseph who had the sprawling estate and acres of grass for his own beloved dog to run around on. No matter how he practiced it in his own head, though, there was no way in which asking Joseph to borrow his lawn didn’t seem suspicious.
“The park it is,” he told Captain.
Jeremiah changed quickly into jogging shorts and a T-shirt and then piled with the big dog into his car. Twenty minutes later they were running around, tossing the ball, and Jeremiah was enjoying the exercise every bit as much as Captain was. Maybe he worried too much, he reasoned. Maybe he was too cautious.
After all, it had to have been coincidence that Captain’s former owner frequented this park even though it was in the very town Jeremiah had set up residence, nearly halfway around the globe from the place they had last seen each other.
“Stranger things have happened,” he told Captain as the dog danced around, eagerly waiting for him to throw the ball again.
He tossed it long and then raced Captain, who beat him easily to the ball. He got down on the ground and wrestled with the dog who was just in heaven. Finally he got the ball away from him and threw it again, this time letting Captain do all the running and bring it back to him.
After they were both good and winded Jeremiah led Captain over to some tables and benches in the shade. Sometimes people could be found there playing chess, but apparently everyone else had something better to do at that point.
Except for one man, sitting, a chess board neatly arranged in front of him as though he was waiting for someone. As Jeremiah approached he got a strange, twisting sensation in his gut and as the man looked up and smiled at him he realized the man had been waiting for someone.
Him.
5
Jeremiah was standing, staring at the old man who had come up to him the day before, the one who had said it was urgent they talk and had scheduled an appointment with him for Wednesday.
Marie was right to be concerned
, the words flashed through his mind.
“Sit,” the man said, indicating the empty chair across from him. “We have much to talk about.”
Jeremiah turned and quickly scanned the surrounding environment, looking for anything that was out of place...like the fact that no one else was near them in the park and the other tables that usually housed chess players sat empty. He was a fool for not having been suspicious earlier.
A very old habit drove his hand to the back of his waistband, but there was nothing there to grab. He had no weapons to aid him.
The old man chuckled. “Do not worry. I paid the others who were sitting here to go away and leave us alone for a few minutes.”
“An awful lot of work and money wasted when you could have just kept our appointment on Wednesday.
The old man shrugged. “I am...how do you say? An opportunist. When opportunity presents itself, I act upon it. Much like you, I think.”
Jeremiah shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The other cocked his head, regarding him long and steadily. Jeremiah stood his ground, his mask firmly in place, revealing nothing through his eyes, his facial expressions.
Finally the man shrugged. “Perhaps I am wrong, but that does not change the fact that we need to talk. Sit, play a game with an old man.”
It could be a trap. The chair could have a bomb rigged to it or there could be an accomplice just waiting somewhere to pick him off the moment he did. “How did you know I would come here,” he asked, stalling for time.
“I didn’t. I came for the chess. And then I saw you and your beautiful dog. German Shepherds are a wonderful breed. Here is the best shade and a drinking fountain for both man and beast. I figured it likely you would come over.”
Slowly Jeremiah sat down even though he still wasn’t convinced this wasn’t a trap. Captain laid down at his side, keeping a watchful eye on him. He could tell the dog sensed his apprehension and was just waiting to be told what the problem was.
“You are white. It is your move first.”
Jeremiah slid one of his pawns forward, still keeping an eye on the older man. “How about you tell me your name?”
“You may call me Otto,” the man said as he pushed forward one of his own pawns.
“What do you want with me, Otto?” Jeremiah asked, moving his knight.
“I need your help with something.”
Again Jeremiah looked around, sure that they must be being watched by someone. He turned back and picked up with the game, listening, waiting.
“I am a very old man and my time is running short. I want to make amends. You understand this, ja?”
“I’m not sure what you think it is I can do for you. If you’re looking for absolution, you might try a priest of some sort.”
“Nein. Not absolution. Restoration.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be a lot more clear than that.”
It was Otto’s turn to look around, and there was a fearfulness to him that gave Jeremiah pause.
Maybe the man really was in trouble and looking for his help.
“Möchtest Du spazieren gehen?”
“In English, please,” Jeremiah said, refusing to give any sign that he’d understood the man.
“Would you like to go for a walk?”
“Okay,” Jeremiah said, rising swiftly. Captain quickly followed suit and stood looking at him, waiting for instruction.
Otto began to walk slowly away from the table, leaving the chess game half finished. Jeremiah joined him with Captain pressing close to his legs.
“I can never help the people I should. It is impossible. But I have determined that I can help someone else. I want to help you, your synagogue. It will go a small way toward righting a great wrong, to repaying a great debt.”
Jeremiah was beginning to wonder if maybe Otto was suffering from some kind of dementia instead of trying to be deliberately evasive.
He reached out and touched the old man’s arm and Otto jerked as though he had been scalded.
Jeremiah let his hand fall away. “Otto, if you need my help, you’re going to have to be very clear and explain to me exactly what it is that you’re talking about.”
Otto stared up at the sky, whether seeking wisdom or some sort of sign Jeremiah couldn’t tell. Finally he turned and looked him in the eyes. Otto’s eyes were clear, thought quickening in them, not the eyes of someone who wasn’t clear what was going on.
“I will trust you and I will do as you say, but Wednesday when we are scheduled to meet. I will bring something then to show you. Something very important and when you see it, you will understand everything.”
Jeremiah realized that he was now completely intrigued and even though every cell of his being urged him to walk away he stood his ground. “I’m free the rest of the day. Is there somewhere you want to go to talk more now?”
“Nein. It will take me a day to retrieve what it is I must show you. Now, I have taken up too much of your day already. Go, enjoy. Have a thoughtful and peaceful Memorial Day tomorrow and I will see you on Wednesday.”
The old man turned and started walking away. His back was straight, his head was up, and his steps were sure. He walked without wavering, heading off to wherever it was he was going. Jeremiah stood and watched him out of sight. Otto was a man with a purpose.
And I guess on Wednesday I’ll find out what it is.
~
Cindy gingerly smeared aloe
onto the red skin of her arms and winced. It was her own fault for not reapplying sunscreen halfway through the day. Finished with that she grabbed the little black dress that Geanie had insisted she bring with her “just in case”.
The dress was, in fact, Geanie’s. Fortunately it wasn’t too outlandish given her roommate’s penchant for crazy clothes. It had a halter top and came down to her knees. She slipped on her sandals because the only other shoes she had brought with her were tennis shoes. After applying light makeup she examined herself in the mirror. Except for her red arms she looked pretty good.
She picked up her purse and felt her nerves begin to spiral out of control. She grabbed the deck of cards she’d bought the day before off of the dresser and shoved them in her purse. In case she needed to, she could always fidget with them under the table and hopefully he wouldn’t notice.
She left her room and walked to the elevator, feeling even more nervous. She wasn’t good at dating and lately it seemed like most of the men who asked her out were either completely wrong for her or murderers.
I guess I have every right to be nervous
, she told herself.
In the lobby Kapono was already waiting for her dressed in slacks and a Hawaiian shirt. She had learned that this constituted formal wear for the islands. He flashed her an appreciative smile and she dipped her head in acknowledgement.
“I thought you’d be on island time,” she admitted. “I was sure I’d have at least another ten minutes.”
“We move slow most of the time because we don’t feel like rushing,” he admitted. “But we can still move quickly if we see something we want.”
She didn’t know what to say to that and wished she’d never made the joke in the first place.
As if sensing her discomfort he gave a slow, easy laugh. “You need to loosen up. Good food can help with that; let’s go.”
He took her to a seafood restaurant that was little more than a shack on a stretch of beach she hadn’t seen yet. As they were being seated the sun was already beginning to set and Cindy couldn’t help but marvel at the colors that blazed across the sky.
“Is beautiful, no?”
“Yes,” she told him. “Thank you. I would never have found this place on my own.”
He grinned. “You know the best part?”
“What?” she asked.
“Since we’re on the sand you can kick off your shoes.”
She laughed, caught off guard. She glanced under the table and saw that he had indeed discarded his sandals.
“Come on,
go native,” he urged with an engaging
grin.
After a moment’s hesitation she kicked off her sandals and dug her toes into the warm sand.
“See, mo’ better.”
“Mo’ better,” she agreed.
She picked up her menu and discovered that all it had listed were a couple of appetizers and then several different ways that they could prepare fish. The lemon caper butter sauce sounded amazing.
“What fish do they have?” she asked, trying to figure out the menu.
“The waiter will tell us what they have today. Then you pick how you want it cooked and what sauce you want.”
A minute later the waiter appeared. “Good evening. Before we get started I’ll just let you know about our fish tonight. First we have ono which is a mild fish with a firm texture.”
“Ono also means good in Hawaiian,” Kapono said with a grin.
“Yes. The ono is very ono,” the waiter said with a grin. “Next we have mahi mahi which is a firm white fish with a sweet flavor. I recommend it with the coconut and macadamia nut crust. Finally tonight we have monchong-”
“Say no more,” Kapono said, interrupting with a raised hand. He looked at Cindy. “Have you had monchong?”
“No.”
“Then you will tonight. I’ll take mine sautéed in the lemon caper butter sauce. ”
“Better make that two,” Cindy said, handing the waiter her menu.
“I promise you will not be disappointed,” the waiter said before heading off.
“Monchong must be a specialty,” she ventured once he had gone.
“You’ve never tasted anything to beat it,” Kapono said. “Trust me on this.”
“Well, if you can’t trust a detective, who can you trust?” she joked.
But even as the words left her mouth she couldn’t help but think about the corrupt police officer she had helped capture half a year before. Still, he hadn’t been a detective. She forced herself to smile, hoping Kapono didn’t notice her sudden tension.
The waiter brought them some water and she hastily began to sip hers, trying to cover for herself while she tried to force herself to calm down. Finally she put the glass down.
“How was the rest of your day yesterday, see anything interesting?” he asked, picking up his own water glass.
“You mean, more interesting than a dead body?”
He choked on his water and then set the glass down carefully. “Hopefully more pleasant at least.”
She couldn’t resist the urge to tease him. “Well, I did see another dead body yesterday evening.”
His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “You gotta be kidding me.”
“Nope.”
“What happened?” he asked.
“I went to a luau on the north shore. I was walking on the beach before dinner and I saw some people moving one of the bodies on that proposed resort site I’ve been hearing about.”
He winced. “I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “At least it wasn’t as...traumatic...as the other one.”
“I’m sorry again.”
“So, have you caught the person who killed Uncle yet?”
“Excuse me?” he asked, sounding surprised.
She grimaced. “Sorry, it’s just,
clearly
that’s been on my mind a lot.”
“No, that’s okay. It’s understandable that you’d be curious and concerned. We don’t have anyone in custody yet, but we are following up on all leads.”
“It’s just so terrible. Some nice old guy has a little restaurant business and then somebody does that to him.”
Kapono chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Hearing you describe him as a nice old guy.”
“I thought he was like an uncle to everyone.”
“Oh yes, he certainly was. Uncle could always help you with your problems...for a price.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, leaning forward intently.
“Nothing,” he said, waving a hand dismissively.
“It didn’t sound like nothing. Come on, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow and I’m going to have to live with those images the rest of my life.”
He sobered. “I’m sorry that you’re trip to our island has been so tainted.”
She took a deep breath, sensing that she could get him to talk if she went slow.
“I’m sad too. I guess if I understood it more it would help me put it in perspective, not taint my entire image and all my memories of this place.”
Inwardly Cindy winced. It sounded so contrived. But she deeply wanted to know what had happened to the restaurateur.
“I’m not sure knowing any more would actually help you feel better,” he said with a sad grimace.
She reached out and put a hand on his. “I know it would,” she urged.
“Okay. We have drug problems here, same as anywhere on the mainland. Some small businesses, the occasional restaurant, owe ninety-percent of their business to the fact that they can help launder the money from illegal activities.”
Cindy felt like her eyes must be bulging out of her head. “Really?”
He nodded.
“And Uncle’s was one of those places?”
“We’ve suspected for some time that it was. He was staying in business somehow and trust me, it had nothing to do with the food. You’re lucky you didn’t get to eat there.”
“But my taxi driver told me it was some of the best food on the island, insisted that I should go there after I visited Pearl Harbor.
“What? Are you sure?” he asked, leaning forward abruptly as his eyes quickened with thought.
“Yes. That’s the only reason I was there, the only way I found it. When he dropped me at Pearl Harbor he even showed me how to walk so I could get there.”
A pad and a pen appeared as if by magic in Kapono’s hands. “I should have thought to wonder how you ended up there. It wasn’t exactly on the beaten path for tourists.
In fact, Uncle was the kind who definitely didn’t encourage tourists to come to his place. More of a ‘locals only’ kind of guy.
Do you know the name of the taxi driver?”
“No, but it was a Wiki Taxi. Maybe they have a record of picking me up at my hotel yesterday morning.”
“Maybe,” he said, hastily scribbling on his notepad. “Can you describe the driver?”
Cindy did to the best of her abilities but was afraid from the look on Kapono’s face that she’d just described a third of the native population.
“If we need to, do you think I could get you to work with a sketch artist tomorrow?”
“Sure. I take it the driver is important?” she said, eager to know what he was thinking.
“Could be. Makes no sense that he’d send you there, though. He didn’t say anything else, give you anything?”
“No, nothing like that,” Cindy said. Her blood was beginning to quicken and she couldn’t help the thrill that flashed through her. Another mystery to solve.
But, you’re going home
, she reminded herself.
This has nothing to do with you. Just let it go.
But with the next breath she realized that she didn’t want to let it go. And then she remembered that she did have something. “Hold on, I forgot, but he gave me a business card.”
“Great.”
She fished in her purse and found the card. She handed it to him. He frowned as he studied it, turning it over.
“This doesn’t look like a Wiki Taxi business card.”
“He said if I needed anything he could take good care of me. Maybe he freelances on the side and his boss doesn’t know it?” she suggested.
“Maybe. We’ll check it out.”
When did I become this girl?
she couldn’t help but wonder. Solving crimes was anything but safe. In fact, so far it had turned out to be far more dangerous than all the crazy stunts her brother pulled.
“Excuse me for just a minute,” Kapono said.
He stood and moved several yards away so he wouldn’t be overheard. She could see him talking on his phone and wished she knew how to read lips. A couple of minutes later he returned.
“Sorry,” he said. “I have my partner tracking down your driver. Hopefully it will be the break we need.”
“I hope so,” she said.
He hesitated. “I’m sorry. This is awkward. I should never have asked you out. Normally I wouldn’t ask out a witness, but you’re a very attractive woman and given how soon you’re leaving the island I figured it was now or never.”
She couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her face. He thought she was attractive. “Thank you.”
“It’s my bad.”
“No worries,” she said. “Look. We might as well finish dinner. If you want to bounce thoughts off me great. If not, that’s fine too. But apparently I can’t leave the island without trying monchong, so...”