“Once I heard that the wedding was back on, I didn’t want anything to spoil the mood by revealing her secret meetings with your father.”
“Mom is furious with Hani. I don’t know when she’ll speak to her again.”
“Hani can’t catch a break,” I said.
“Now I’m going to ask you to keep a secret.”
“What is it?”
“Promise not to tell?”
“I promise.”
“I don’t blame Yuto. I think he did the right thing.”
I sat up in bed.
“I do too. I think he’ll be happier in the long run. I didn’t say that to him today, but I wanted to.”
“Hani seemed to be more upset that Foxx knew Yuto had dumped her. Can you believe that?” Alana asked.
“Unfortunately, I can.”
“What was Foxx’s reaction when Yuto told you guys?”
“He was compassionate. He really likes Yuto. He’d just never admit it to anyone.”
“Let’s get back to your case. You need to send me those photos.”
“I will, but there’s something I need your help with.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Do you think you could get your hands on a boat?”
27
Surf’s Up
When I first moved to Maui, I had dreams of becoming a world-class surfer. It was not to be. Despite Alana giving me multiple lessons, it soon became apparent that I lacked the coordination skills necessary to ride the waves. These days, my water activities are restricted to either swimming in the pool or the ocean.
I like to think of myself as a creative fellow, so I decided to turn my weakness into a strength. I booked a surfing lesson with Kari, the next-door neighbor of Guy Livingston. If you’ll recall, she’d informed me during our one and only interaction that her family owned a surfing school.
I learned during my follow-up phone call that she was home schooled. She completed her educational curriculum in the early mornings so she could spend the rest of the day working for her parents. I admired the young woman’s work ethic, but the truth needed to be confirmed.
Their school was located in Kihei, not far from their home. I caught a taxi from my home in Kaanapali to Lahaina after performing my morning ritual of swimming and jogging. If you recall, I’d left my car at Harry’s after consuming too much alcohol the day before. After retrieving my little roadster, I made the pleasant drive along the coast, despite the raging headache that hadn’t disappeared, even after vigorous exercise.
I found the surf school easily. There was a small shack on the beach with several longboards leaning against one of the walls. They were all a robin’s-egg blue, which I assumed made it easier for students to be located.
After checking in and paying for the lesson, Kari escorted me to a flat surface of the beach where she went over the fundamentals of surfing. She was very pleasant, and I found her positive attitude infectious. The truth is that I felt a little guilty for what I was about to do.
Kari taught me how to stand on the board, which is a fairly simple process that somehow escapes my abilities. For those of you who have never attempted the sport, you lie on your stomach and paddle like crazy as the wave approaches you. Once the board starts to accelerate from the movements of the wave, you pop up with both legs at the same time and stand. Couldn’t be easier, right? I wish.
We practiced this pop-up technique several times on dry land. She complimented my form and generally seemed to be authentic in her praise. Finally, she declared me ready to try it on the waves. I stood and carried the board into the ocean. Kari came with me, of course, but she had a small board that was white with two yellow stripes that ran its length. She told me that she’d demonstrate the technique first, which she did. Watching her reminded me of my previous lessons with Alana. Kari was graceful and her form was effortless and smooth.
She rode the wave into the shore. Then she hopped off and made a little splash in the water. She turned around and paddled back to me. I could have confronted her right then and there. Instead, I decided to postpone the discussion and instead made several attempts to surf. I wasn’t half bad.
After about ten minutes had passed, I told her that I needed to catch my breath, which was partially true. We sat on the boards, which gently flowed back and forth with the waves, and we looked out toward the deep ocean.
“Guy Livingston’s case has gone to the jury. Did you know that?” I asked.
“No, I haven’t been following it.”
“He asked me to investigate his case.”
“I know. You told me when we met outside my house.”
“It was an interesting case. Not the most complex one I’ve done, but I still didn’t come to the conclusion I thought it would.”
I studied her for a reaction, but I didn’t get one. Kari seemed genuinely curious and I began to wonder if she was a borderline sociopath. The girl was only fifteen years old, which I’d discovered when Alana ran her name and had discovered she’d just gotten her learner’s permit. She should have been panicked by our discussion.
“Guy originally hired me to find his wife’s stolen jewelry, only I learned it wasn’t actually stolen. Lucy faked a robbery with her lover and had him sell the necklace and bracelet on another island for quick cash.”
“I didn’t know that,” she said.
“After I told him about the affair, he went home, and his wife was dead just a few hours later. The police assumed it was him, but he swore he didn’t do it.”
“I’m sure they all say that.”
“They do, and most of them are lying. Still, I’ve had my share of innocent clients falsely accused, which is why I agreed to work with him again.”
“Now you think he didn’t
