My long day was about to get even longer, but I thought a meeting with Mele Akamu’s attorney couldn’t wait. I’d never met the man, nor had I even heard of him before this investigation. But there was Oleen’s opinion of him to give me some clue as to what he was like. She’d called him a crook, which wasn’t that far off my estimate of how he’d probably be.
I selected the jazz pianist and vocalist Les McCann for the drive to Kahului. I listened to his songs, “Let Your Learning Be Your Eyes,” “With These Hands,” “Compared to What,” “Willow Weep for Me,” and “The Lovers.”
I spotted Mara’s car when I pulled into the parking lot. I parked a few spots down from her vehicle and climbed out. Ruben Dalton’s law office was located in a small group of suites, which also consisted of a dental clinic, an ophthalmologist’s office, and a flower shop, which seemed completely out of place.
I entered Dalton’s office but didn’t see a receptionist. The little bell on the door must have alerted Ruben Dalton, at least the person I assumed was him, for a short man in his sixties entered the lobby a few seconds later. He had tanned skin, which somehow made the deep lines in his forehead seem more prominent. Unfortunately, my eyes went straight to his hair. It was jet-black and I was fairly confident that it was a hairpiece. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time not staring at those things once I’m convinced that they’re fake.
“You must be Edgar Rutherford,” he said in a deep voice.
“That’s right.”
“Mara is already here. Come on back.”
I followed him into his private office. It was set up differently than Mara’s. Whereas she had a separate area with a comfortable sofa and matching chair for clients, Ruben Dalton had an oversized wooden desk with a large leather chair that somewhat resembled a throne behind it. On the other side of the desk were two wooden chairs that looked about as comfy as something you’d find at a boarding gate in a crowded airport.
Mara was already seated on one of the chairs. I took the other as Ruben Dalton sat on his throne. I already had an instinctive disliking of the man and he’d only said a couple of sentences to me. This wasn’t good.
“What do you have to report?” Ruben said.
“I’ve conducted several interviews already.”
“And have you learned anything that can actually help me?” Ruben asked.
“Unfortunately, not much. They all point toward Mrs. Akamu. They also contradicted some things she told Mara and me on our initial meeting, things that Mrs. Akamu ultimately admitted to.”
“I don’t care about any of that,” Ruben said.
“I also met with Oleen Akamu,” I said.
“She actually agreed to speak with you?” Mara asked.
“Yes. It turns out she’s the eyewitness to the murder, at least that’s what she claimed,” I said.
“That’s nonsense. She’s lying,” Ruben said.
“Based on what?” Mara asked.
“Based on the fact that I’ve worked with this family for years. I know these people. You can’t believe a word Oleen says.”
“Were you able to get anything out of her?” Mara asked me.
“Not much, although I suspect I know a way around that,” I said.
“Which is?” Ruben asked.
“Oleen has moved out of her home and into an apartment in Kihei,” I said.
“I’m well aware of that. I was also already aware of the fact that she’s the eyewitness, so you’ve told me nothing useful so far. I even drove by her new place yesterday. It’s not much to look at,” he said.
“She told me that you drew up a pre-nuptial agreement that left her with nothing,” I said.
“That’s right and that’s exactly what she’ll get, nothing,” Ruben said.
“Might I suggest a different course of action? Convince Tavii to amend the agreement,” I said.
“Why would I ever do that?” Ruben asked.
“Because the last thing the Akamus need right now is another enemy. Oleen will be very persuasive on the witness stand,” Mara said.
“You don’t know her like I do. She’ll fall apart under cross-examination,” Ruben said.
“You could make her look very sympathetic to the jury if you go at her too hard,” Mara said.
“Which is why you’ll handle the cross,” Ruben said.
“There’s no need to get to that point. Make her a deal and she’ll recant her testimony,” I said.
“No deal. Not now. Not ever. She had her chance to do the right thing,” Ruben said.
“With all due respect, Mr. Dalton, Oleen’s testimony is the only evidence the police have that connects Mele Akamu to the crime. If that goes away, then everything falls apart,” I said.
“Tell me something. Did Mele Akamu place you in charge of her defense and she forgot to tell me?”
I said nothing.
“I thought as much. So keep your mouth shut and let me handle strategy for the courtroom. All I need from you is another plausible suspect,” he said.
“You want me to point the finger at someone else to create reasonable doubt?” I asked.
“Exactly. Give me dirt on one or two others, even more if you can.”
“And if I can’t find anything?” I asked.
“Then make something up. I don’t care.”
It was the response that I expected him to say, but I still wanted to hear it from his own lips before I made my final decision. It was one that I’d been debating on the way to the meeting. Ruben Dalton’s abrasive attitude gave me the not-so-gentle push that I needed to make the final leap.
I stood and turned away from the desk. I’d only made it a few paces when he called out to me.
“Just where do you think you’re going?” he asked.
“Home,” I said without slowing down my stride.
“I’m not finished with you.”
I stopped by the door and turned back to him.
“But I’m finished with you. I find you to be an obnoxious, little man and I have better things to do with my time,” I said.
“You can go to hell.”
“By the way, you’ll have to let
