We found a shady spot under an avocado tree to get out of the hot sun.
“Thank you for speaking with us, Ms. Marks. How long did you work with Daniel?” Alana asked.
“A little over two years.”
“Did you have a friendship outside of work?” Alana asked.
“We did. I’d go to his apartment from time to time to hang out,” she said.
“Were you romantically involved with him?” Alana asked.
“No, we were just friends.”
“Can you tell us if Daniel was under any kind of stress in the last few weeks?” Alana asked.
“Stress?”
“Yes, was he upset about anything?” Alana asked.
“I don’t understand why you’re asking me these questions. I thought Daniel drowned. Are you saying he might have taken his own life?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Alana said.
“Yes, he was under pressure, but he never would have hurt himself.”
“Why was he under pressure?” I asked.
“He owed some guy money.”
“A friend?” Alana asked.
“No, a loan shark.”
“How much did he owe?” Alana asked.
“Five thousand.”
“What was the money for?” I asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Did Daniel take drugs?” Alana asked.
“He smoked pot, but who doesn’t?” she asked.
I could think of a few people, myself included, but I decided not to say anything.
“Did he ever say the name of the loan shark?” Alana asked.
“Yes, but I think he was just making up the name. It didn’t make sense,” Brianna said.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Daniel said the guy’s name is Popcorn.”
I caught Alana’s expression out of the corner of my eye.
“Do you know the guy?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Alana said, and she turned back to Brianna. “Ms. Marks, did Daniel ever mention the names Eric Ellis or Mele Akamu?”
“No, I never heard of either of those names.”
“What about the name Tiana Wise?” I asked.
“The name Tiana sounds really familiar.”
“She lives in the same apartment complex as Daniel did. Short blonde hair like you,” I said.
“Oh yeah, she was at his place once when I came over. She didn’t stay long,” Brianna said.
“She was inside his apartment?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Did Daniel say anything about her after she left?” Alana asked.
“Just that they were neighbors and old friends.”
“Thank you, Ms. Marks. You’ve been very helpful,” Alana said.
“You really think Daniel killed himself?”
“No, but we have to follow up on things like this,” Alana said.
Brianna nodded, but I wasn’t sure she’d accepted Alana’s explanation. The truth is that I wasn’t watching Brianna very closely at that point. I was concentrating too much on the revelation that Tiana Wise had lied to me about her relationship with Daniel Davis.
We decided not to talk to any other co-workers after Brianna. Alana and I walked back to the front of the store. We headed down the sidewalk to where we’d parked our cars. If you’ve ever been to Paia, then you know how difficult it can be to find parking. I didn’t mind, though. The walk gave us time to talk about the interview with Brianna Marks.
“Surprised that Daniel and Tiana Wise were apparently friends?” Alana asked.
“I shouldn’t be, but I can’t figure out how the whole thing is connected. What’s the deal with this Popcorn guy? How did he get that name?”
“I don’t know. I asked him a few times, but he’d never tell me.”
“Do you think he might have murdered Daniel Davis over the five-thousand-dollar loan?” I asked.
“Not likely. Popcorn isn’t the murdering type. He’s a low-level guy, which is why we’ve never gone out of our way to bust him. Maybe that’s changed, though.”
We reached our cars and I followed Alana to nearby Kahului. Alana told me that Popcorn worked out of a bar there. It was still morning, though, so I didn’t know how likely it was that we’d find him. Alana assured me it wouldn’t be an issue. She wasn’t wrong. We spotted the diminutive loan shark seated on a stool at the end of the bar. He was of Japanese descent and I guessed his age at around fifty.
“Hello, Popcorn,” Alana said, and she sat on the stool beside his.
I stood beside her.
“Who’s the tall guy?” Popcorn asked after taking a long look at me.
“My husband.”
“That guy?” Popcorn asked in a tone that indicated he didn’t believe her.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Corn, I get that a lot,” I said.
“I’m sure you do.”
“Don’t get smart. We just have a few questions and then we’ll be out of your hair,” Alana said.
“Ask away, Detective,” Popcorn said.
“Did you lend Daniel Davis five thousand dollars?” Alana asked.
“I certainly did.”
“You know he’s dead, don’t you?” she asked.
“I heard that. Damn shame too. I really liked the kid.”
“Do I need to ask if you had anything to do with his death?”
“Me?” Popcorn asked, and he sounded offended.
Alana didn’t respond.
“First, it hurts that you’d even consider that I’d be capable of such a thing,” Popcorn continued. “Second, how could I get my money back if he was dead? And third and most importantly, Daniel had already paid me back.”
“All five thousand?” Alana asked.
“Yep, every last penny.”
“How did he get that kind of money stocking shelves at a grocery store?” I asked.
“Daniel had a bit of a gambling problem. I assumed one of his bets finally hit big,” Popcorn said.
“Who did he gamble with?” Alana asked.
“You’d have to ask Daniel. Oh, I forgot, you can’t.”
“Did Daniel ever mention being afraid of anyone?” I asked.
“Why is this guy asking me questions? Is he a detective too?” Popcorn asked Alana.
“Just answer his question. Was someone out to hurt Daniel?” Alana asked.
“Not that I know of. Besides, I have a strict rule. Keep it professional. I don’t want to hear about their personal lives. Everyone who comes to me has some sob story.”
“I’m sure,” Alana said.
“When Daniel came to you, was he alone or did he bring a woman with him? Maybe a woman with short, blonde hair?” I asked.
“No, he was alone.”
“Thanks, Popcorn,” Alana
