Lo shrugged.
“What the fuck?” Atoa spread his hands. Smiled. “I’ll buy her a puppy.”
“Doesn’t really solve the problem with Gata, now, does it?” Lo.
“Meaning?”
“Start picking out an urn.”
Atoa exploded from the table. His chair hit the floor with a crack.
Lo shot to his feet.
“No way you’re killing my dog, you bastard.” Atoa’s hands were bunched into fists.
Hung spoke in a tone meant to be soothing. “Let’s all calm down. Mr. Atoa, would you like something to drink?”
Atoa’s eyes went shrewd. “What? So you can take my DNA? I’m not stupid.”
“Why would we want your DNA, Pinky?” Lo’s voice was deadly.
“Fuck you.”
“Please, Mr. Atoa.” Hung circled the table and righted the chair. “Sit.”
Atoa held a moment, then, “This is so fucked.”
Atoa dropped into the seat and thrust out both legs. The red sneakers started winging from side to side.
Lo and Hung exchanged a look above Atoa’s head.
“Here we go,” I said to Ryan.
Hung spoke as she returned to her seat.
“Perhaps something can be worked out concerning Gata.”
Lo shot his partner a look.
Hung gestured “hold on” with one hand.
Lo crossed his arms in annoyance.
“Quid pro quo. That means you help us, we help you.”
“I know what it means,” Atoa snapped.
“Good. You can help Gata. Who knows? Maybe yourself.”
“I’m listening.” Atoa was working the thumbnail, avoiding eye contact.
Another look passed between Lo and Hung.
“George Faalogo.” Lo paused. “Frankie Kealoha.”
No reaction.
“You know those guys, Pinky?”
Atoa shook his head.
“How about Ted Pukui?”
“Who?” Mumbled.
“Look at me.” Lo’s tone was sharp.
Atoa didn’t budge.
“Look at me!”
Atoa’s head snapped up. For the first time I saw fear in his eyes.
“How about Gilbert T’eo?”
“Everyone knows L’il Bud.”
“Word is you and Pukui assisted T’eo with a business problem.”
Atoa’s gaze flicked to Hung. Found no support.
“Faalogo and Kealoha.” Lo hammered on. “Makapu’u Point.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Wasn’t much left when the sharks finished, but we got enough.”
“This is bullshit.”
“Is it?”
Atoa licked his lips.
“How much you love that dog, Pinky?”
Atoa regarded Lo with a look of undiluted hatred.
