House of the Hanging Jade (7 page)

B
ut the medical examiner's suspicions were borne out when the autopsy was performed on Dr. Fitzgibbons.

He had been murdered.

It took a couple days for the results to be finalized, but once they were the police returned to the house in full force to begin shifting the focus of their investigations. Dr. Fitzgibbons, they informed us tersely, had died from blunt-force trauma to the back of the head, not drowning. He had apparently been standing near the pool when he was hit from behind. We were all called into the family room again for additional questioning, and Marcus and Justine were questioned again when they got home from school. The police called the gardeners in one by one and kept each one in the family room for a long time, according to Akela. Then the police talked to her and to me.

The questions were more grueling this time, probing for more personal information. The police wanted to know what I knew, what I had heard or seen, which would shed light on the relationship between Barbie and Lars. As much as I didn't want to, I had to tell them about the argument I heard between them the night I had to go outside with the scuppers for my kayak.

They also wanted to know if I knew anything about the affair between Barbie and Dr. Fitzgibbons and whether Lars had ever confronted Dr. Fitzgibbons about it. I told them that I had only seen Barbie and Dr. Fitzgibbons have meals together, and it seemed to me that they were extremely close, but I had never seen any direct evidence of a romantic link between them. I had no idea if Lars and Dr. Fitzgibbons had ever had a showdown over Barbie, but I thought it unlikely based on what little I knew about Lars. He seemed to be a man who would keep things inside.

I had to confess to myself that even though I lived in the house, I didn't really know Lars or Barbie well at all. I saw them for meals and I saw them interact with Marcus and Justine occasionally, but I didn't really
know
them. I didn't discuss my thoughts with the police, since it was pure speculation on my part and they knew their jobs better than I did.

But I looked over my shoulder constantly over the long days that followed as the police continued poking around the house and asking questions of everyone who was present during the night of the murder.

A dark presence had invaded the Jorgensens' house. It was always quiet, but not in a peaceful way. It was quiet in a wary, watching way. Barbie and Lars continued to work every day, and Lars had received permission from the authorities to continue to travel off-island for his business. He was often gone for a day or two at a time, returning at various times and always looking haggard and worn.

Marcus and Justine too had been quieter lately, spending more time in their rooms and eating quickly at dinnertime. I never saw them with Barbie or Lars, but I assumed the family spoke together about everything that had happened in their home. I hoped Barbie and Lars had reassured the children that everything was going to be okay.

But was it? The police seemed no closer to figuring out who had killed Dr. Fitzgibbons. Fear was my constant companion and if I was scared, I couldn't imagine what Marcus and Justine were going through. I found myself listening intently for any sound and checking and rechecking my door at night, making sure it was locked.

As the days passed, there was no further violence and the police made no arrests in the case. It seemed more and more likely that the doctor's death had been a random occurrence, perhaps committed by someone who was surprised during a burglary. I hoped that was true, because it was exhausting to be frightened all the time. And the more I got to know the family, the less likely it appeared that either Lars or Barbie was even capable of committing such a heinous act. They were both intelligent people who didn't seem inclined to resorting to violence to solve problems. Yelling, yes, but not violence.

A few weeks after Dr. Fitzgibbons's death, the kids brought home their report cards. Barbie was working late that night and Lars was home to have dinner with his children. Knowing the three of them would be eating together, I worked hard that day to make an extraspecial dinner.

I served a salad of soba noodles and grilled mahimahi with a balsamic vinegar and sesame-oil dressing, followed by a light spring vegetable risotto, followed by a dessert of Greek yogurt
panna cotta
topped with crystallized ginger and dried papaya. While I was clearing away their dessert dishes, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Marcus had a sheet of paper on his lap. He drew it out and showed it to his father.

Lars examined the paper while I stacked the dishes on a tray to take back to the kitchen. He frowned. I left the room, but could hear him talking to Marcus as I walked away.

“Marcus, your math grade is terrible. What's going on?”

“I don't know. Maybe I can't concentrate because Mom's boyfriend was murdered at our house?” Marcus answered in a surly voice.

“
Marcus!
” Lars shouted.

Their voices dropped immediately and I couldn't hear any more. I wondered what they were saying.

I found out later that night. I was cleaning the kitchen and preparing for breakfast the next morning when Marcus walked in.

“How's it going, Marcus?”

“It sucks.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“Yeah. An A in math.”

I laughed. “I would if I could, believe me. But a few weeks ago I gave your mom the name of a teacher friend of mine who's been laid off. He'd make a great tutor. I don't know if she ever called him, because. . .”

“Because why?”

“Because Dr. Fitzgibbons died the next morning and I think the tutor kind of got put on the back burner.”

“Well, it's back on the front burner now.”

“Would you like me to ask your mom if she ever called my friend?”

“Yeah, okay.”

Marcus helped himself to a bowl of rice crackers and a glass of juice I had made that afternoon and returned to his room.

I talked to Barbie the next morning before she left for work.

“Oh, Kailani,” she whined in answer to my query, “could you call him for me? I meant to, and then the tragedy with Doug happened, and I just haven't gotten back to it. If he wants to come here so I can meet him, make the arrangements for sometime Sunday and I'll plan to be here.”

I called Liko right after Barbie left.

“K! Good to hear from you!”

“Hey, Liko, have you found a job yet?”

“No. Still looking.”

“I have something you might be interested in.”

“Really? What you got?”

“My boss's son, Marcus, needs a math tutor. Things have been pretty crazy around here lately and I think he needs some help getting focused. I thought you'd be perfect for the job.”

“That's great! Have you talked to his mom and dad about it?”

“Yes. I talked to his mother this morning, and she asked me to call you and get you up here on Sunday so they can meet you.”

“I'll be there! Hey—why have things been so crazy? Everything all right with you?”

I smiled wryly to myself. “Get here a little early on Sunday and I'll tell you all about it.”

We decided on a time, I gave him directions to the Jorgensens' and then hung up. I was very pleased that Marcus was at last going to be getting some help with his math. And maybe make a friend in the process. Liko would be great for him.

The rest of the week passed quickly. Barbie worked late each night and Lars left for business meetings in Peru. The children were mostly on their own in the evenings. I ate meals with them and even got them to play a board game with me one night. I always made sure the alarm system was armed, thinking it would help to allay some of our fears. We didn't talk about being afraid in the house, but I suspected worry and apprehension were never far from the kids' minds. Anxiety was certainly a part of my daily life.

On Sunday Lars returned from his trip early in the morning and Barbie didn't have to go into the office. The family members were scattered in different spots around the house. Barbie had been careful to avoid the courtyard around the pool since Dr. Fitzgibbons's death, but she lay out in the sun for a short while that afternoon. Lars took Justine down to the water in their two-seater kayak. Marcus had a science project due the following day, so he was in his room working.

Liko arrived a little early for his appointment with Barbie and Lars, so I showed him the view from the lanai and the kitchen before we went into my rooms.

“This house—it's amazing,” he began.

“This is how the other half lives, I guess,” I said with a smile.

“Hard to believe. So, tell me why it's been so crazy around here.”

I took a deep breath and explained, in a quiet voice, all that had been going on, including the murder of Dr. Doug, the affair between Barbie and Doug that had been going on right under Lars's nose, and how the kids didn't see their parents very often.

“So you can see why Marcus needs a friend around here,” I finished.

“Definitely. Poor kid. And to be a teenager . . .” he trailed off, shaking his head. “Who killed the doctor?”

“I wish I knew. Then I would sleep better. I feel like everyone is a suspect until the police find out who did it.”

Liko raised his eyebrows at me. “And you think I should work for these people?”

“Marcus needs someone, Liko. I hope you'll take the job if they offer it to you.”

“I definitely need the work,” he replied with a grimace.

We went down to the family room to wait for Barbie and Lars. When they both arrived, I introduced them to Liko and returned to my room. I was sure they would hire Liko as Marcus's tutor, but I was waiting for the official word.

They hired him on the spot. Barbie and Lars didn't seem to agree on much these days, but they did agree that Marcus needed a tutor and that Liko seemed to be the perfect candidate. Since Liko lived over two hours away, they decided that Liko would stay in the guesthouse.

Liko was excited to get started. He seemed to have forgotten his earlier apprehension about working in a house where a man had been killed. He hadn't met Marcus yet, either, so Barbie and Lars asked Liko to stay for dinner that evening so he could meet his new student.

I served dinner and quietly slipped away. I knew Liko would find me after dinner and tell me how it went with Marcus.

And sure enough, just as I was going to clear away the dinner dishes, Liko came into the kitchen to offer his help and to talk. I listened to him as we washed dishes and cleaned up the kitchen.

“So how'd it go?”

“You shoulda told me Barbie is so hot,” he replied in a loud whisper.

“That's not why you were invited here, Liko,” I told him, rolling my eyes. “How did it go with Marcus?”

“That Marcus—he's a smart kid. I can tell. But he's so quiet. He's gotta come out of his shell.”

I nodded in agreement. “I think he's pretty shaken up by all that's been happening around here.”

“I'm sure you're right, K.”

“Do you think you can help him?”

“Oh, yeah. I'll spend a little time with him, help him with his math, take him surfing sometimes—you know.”

“Is math the biggest problem?”

He cocked his head. “I don't know. His biggest problem might be that he's a teenage boy.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Brah, those days could be
rough.
”

I thought back to when Liko was in high school. He could be a clown—he laughed a lot—but he had a serious side too, and there were days when he could be quiet and aloof. Not unlike Marcus.

“I think it's great that you'll be around for him.”

“Thanks for thinking of me, K.” Liko pecked me on the cheek and turned to go. “See you tomorrow!”

The next day Liko moved some of his things into the guesthouse before Marcus got home from school. I helped him move in a set of weights, his surfboard, diving equipment, a snorkel mask and fins, a kayak, a basketball, two tennis racquets, a few articles of clothing, and a dopp kit.
Just like a man,
I thought with a smile. It was obvious how he planned to spend his days while Marcus was in school.

That afternoon Liko was waiting on the lanai by the time Marcus left the kitchen with a snack and a drink. I could hear them talking together at the table as Marcus joined him to start his homework. They were still working when I went out to set the table for dinner.

“Should we move, K?” asked Liko.

“No, I'll just put the place settings at the other end of the table.”

I assumed Barbie would be working until later in the evening, so I didn't set a place for her. I did set a place for Lars, since he had poked his head in the kitchen earlier and asked what time he should be ready for dinner.

To my surprise, Barbie did come home in time for dinner. She asked me to set a place for her and one for Liko too, so the family could get to know him better. I hurriedly set two more places and served dinner when they were all seated. Justine and Marcus sat on either side of Liko. He seemed to be making a great impression.

Over the meal of grilled salmon with wilted spinach, roasted asparagus, and pea and mint salad, I could hear Liko answering questions about himself. And me.

“I was a Hawaiian language and culture teacher at a school in Punalu'u.”

“I grew up there. Near Kailani.”

“Her parents have the greatest bakery on the Big Island. They make
ono
bread and desserts.”