“You know what? Fuck you.” He slammed the folder shut. “You seem to think you get to be the only one who has anything to say about this relationship. You seem to think that because some pedophile called you “damaged goods” and did a number on you, you’re going to be fucked up forever. What a load of crap. You think you’re the only one who knows about pain and dysfunction?” He put his hands on his hips and finally looked at her, and when he did his Viking blue eyes were blazing. “I’m not buying that old shit. I know what we had, what we could have, and you’re not getting rid of me that easily. That’s what I came to tell you this afternoon while you were out trying to get shot in the park.”
She couldn’t think of a thing to say, and found herself scuttling to her room and locking the door.
“I’m going to be around whether you like it or not,” he said through the closed door. “You’re damaged. I’m damaged. So fucking what. Now get some rest.”
She climbed into bed, exhaustion and the safety he brought making it possible for her to snuggle deep into her silky sheets, relaxing. She closed her eyes, a smile curving her mouth. He might just be even more of a glutton for punishment than she was.
Chapter 46
Lei sat on the floor of the kennel the next day and stroked Keiki’s big square head. The dog’s eyes looked up at her trustingly as she played with the light-brown eyebrow patches, stroked her satiny ears. Keiki lay on her good side, a big white cone around her neck to keep her from biting at her bandages or the veterinary staff.
“She’s looking good,” Dr. Westfall said, pocketing the stethoscope he’d used to listen to her lungs. “The bullet came in through her chest but missed any organs, and exited the shoulder as you can see. The biggest concern right now is blood loss and infection. I’ve got her on a fluid drip of antibiotics. If we can keep her sedated and resting a few more days I think she’ll be out of the woods. Later on, our concern will be the mobility she will have through that shoulder.”
“Thanks, doc,” Lei said, resting her cheek against Keiki’s. The dog stuck her tongue out, trying to lick her, and she laughed blearily. “You have no idea how much this means.”
“You’d be surprised,” he said. “Animals can be closer than family.”
“This one is family.”
She didn’t notice when he left the kennel, closing the door softly.
Nagata was waiting for her on the worn little porch when she drove up. She hurried to join him on the top step.
“So far your story is checking out about what went down in Volcano Park. Lieutenant wants you on admin leave until this whole thing gets sorted out.”
“That sucks. I’m going to go nuts with that much time on my hands. What’s happening with the Chang thing?” Lei rubbed the black stone in her pocket as she talked with the detective.
“We’ve had Anela picked up in California. Ross is flying back there to interview her. The local PD in San Rafael don’t know enough about the situation to get us what we need. Ray Solomon’s stable in the hospital and has admitted to doing the stalking campaign.”
She’d thought as much, but it was good to have it confirmed.
“Anyone been able to find out anything about Kwon?”
“Yeah. He’s in Lompoc Federal Prison for molesting some kids.”
Lei rocked back as she absorbed this, standing on her porch. The weak sunlight of an overcast day gilded the tilted aluminum pole of her mailbox, the chipped cement steps, little rag of lawn. She was disappointed Kwon was out of reach. Part of her had fantasized pointing her Glock at his crotch and pulling the trigger.
“We still don’t know how much the other Changs are involved in this and if Healani Chang has authorized any further action against you. Lieutenant would like you to come to the county safe house,” Nagata said, adjusting his dapper button-down shirt as he went down the steps.
“No. They’re sending Keiki home tomorrow, and she needs to be in familiar surroundings,” Lei said, adjusting her sling as she walked down to the sidewalk beside him.
“Yeah, we know how you feel about that dog,” Nagata said with a twinkle, as he got in the unmarked Bronco. “Okay. We’re sending a uniform out to do sweeps by your house.”
“Thanks.”
She watched him drive away with a tremendous feeling of relief. She was almost sure whoever was left in the Chang conspiracy would think twice about messing with her now that she’d shot Ray. Lei hurried up the stairs into her cottage as Nagata drove away, punched in the code and re-activated it behind her.
Sighing, she went to the kitchen and ran herself a glass of water, drank it at the sink, then went and took a shower. Feeling a little better, she sat down at the little Formica kitchen table wrapped in her robe.
It was taking a lot of showers to feel like the blood had finally been washed off.
Stevens had left behind the file he had been studying last night. It was full of photocopied records on various members of the Chang crime family. She perused the records on the patriarch, Terence “Hatchet” Chang.
His rap sheet had close to fifty different drug, racketeering, and trafficking charges, many of which had been dismissed. Eventually he’d been convicted of felony drug trafficking and second-degree murder. His cause of death three years ago was listed as homicide.
No assailant name was listed on the criminal report, but Lei knew that name was Wayne Texeira and so did the Changs. She looked at the next of kin-Healani Chang, 221 Olomua Avenue in Hilo-the crime boss was guardian of the teenage boys she and Pono had brought in for tagging, and their neighborhood wasn’t that far from hers.
I wonder what would happen if I just went there and talked to her, checked up on the boys… Send her a message I’m on to them. I might be able to clear this whole drama up myself.
Hiding out at the house was just not Lei’s style.
Galvanized, she changed into running clothes, strapping on the shoulder holster with the old Glock since her new one was at Ballistics. She filled the pockets of the windbreaker with handcuffs, cell phone, and badge. Not that she was investigating or anything..
Lei got in the truck, feeling the hum of adrenaline in her veins as she turned the key. She remembered Stevens’ lecture at the restaurant about taking care of herself, and felt a stab of guilt or maybe apprehension-none of the team working her case would think this was a good idea. But if she could just talk to Healani, maybe it could all be cleared up.
Lei threw the truck into reverse and pulled out before she could change her mind.
Chapter 47
The Chang house was in an older, poorly-maintained neighborhood. It was a dilapidated plantation style that had been added onto until it sprawled in all directions, filling a large corner lot. Several expensive cars were parked on the strip of dry, weedy grass, and a pit bull in the side yard barked ferociously as she pulled over onto the curb in front.
“Hey!” A dark figure appeared at the iron latticework security door as Lei got out. Her hand settled on the Glock. “What you doing in our neighborhood?”
She faced the house. Several other shadowy figures had clustered around the one addressing her.
“You talking to me?” Lei put cop in her voice.
“I said, what you stay doing here?” A reedy timbre-one of the teenagers.
“Coming to talk to Healani Chang. You got a problem with that?”
The door opened. It was the lanky kid she had run down in the alley. He was wearing a red do-rag on his head, gang colors.
“This is harassment,” he said. Three other teens came out, ranging behind him, their arms folded over their chests as they tried on attitude.
