32
Tough Cases
The murder of Eric Ellis was a particularly difficult case to solve, mainly because there were so many possible suspects. There was also the fact that the murder was five years old. People’s memories were surely affected by the passage of time, and of course there’s all the lies I mentioned a moment ago. I’d quickly reached the point where I didn’t know who or what to believe. Granted, this was nothing new, but I hoped my wild theory about this case dating back farther than anyone realized would pay off.
I’m sure you’re getting whiplash by reading about my multiple journeys across Maui, but such is the case when conducting a murder investigation. Fortunately, I had good timing on my side, and I was able to get to the Maui jail before visiting hours were concluded. After entering the building, I asked to speak with Mele Akamu, our favorite godmother of Maui.
As before, I was already seated at the table in the visitor area when they brought her out. I expected her to look worried or even angry with me for having left her employ and not speaking to her about it. She didn’t.
“Hello, Mr. Rutherford, imagine my surprise at seeing you here. I was told you quit my case,” she said, and she sat opposite me.
“Not entirely.”
“I thought that might be the situation. I didn’t think you’d care for Ruben. He has a tendency to rub people the wrong way.”
“Yes, there is that. Might I suggest you hire another attorney?” I asked.
“Your friend, Ms. Winters, perhaps? Didn’t she quit my case too?”
“One can only take so much verbal abuse.”
“How may I help you?” she asked, ignoring my statement. “I assume you’ve learned some things that you want to run by me.”
“Just a few. Does either Tavii or Oleen know the security code to your safe?”
“No. They have no need. Samson doesn’t even know it.”
“You’re the only one?” I asked.
“That’s right.”
“I figured it out, by the way. Your birth year combined with your late husband’s.”
“My, you are resourceful. It seems I erred in not coming up with a more original code. Is that how someone else was able to plant the gun or are you confessing to me that you did it?” she asked, and then she smiled.
“You seem to be in remarkably good spirits despite the gravity of the situation.”
“I have faith in you.”
“I hope that faith isn’t misplaced,” I said.
“My instincts about people are usually right.”
“The night Eric was killed, did you or Samson call him around three in the morning?”
“No. I’m sure I was asleep at that time. If I’d wanted him dead, then I would have shot him at a more reasonable hour. Who told you I called him at that time?”
“Eric’s lover.”
“Ah, so I wasn’t the only one he betrayed,” she said.
“Last question. In one of our earlier conversations, you referred to a hypothetical killing where a body and the weapon were dumped in the ocean. Hypothetically speaking, what might have been the name of that hypothetical person?” I asked.
Mele Akamu said nothing.
“It’s important. I wouldn’t be asking otherwise,” I continued.
Mele Akamu leaned forward and whispered in my ear.
“Ronan Huff. His name was Ronan Huff.”
“Thank you.”
“How’s my grandson doing by the way?” she asked.
“He’s fine. I saw him the other day.”
“And his lovely wife, the one who’s trying to make sure I stay in here?”
“I believe she’s struggling to find her way after leaving Tavii,” I said.
“I think what you meant to say was she’s struggling after I stopped paying her bills.”
“There is that.”
“Thank you as always, Mr. Rutherford. I wish you good luck,” she said, and she stood.
I left the jail and walked back to my car. Imagine my surprise when I saw Detective Parrish sitting in the front seat of my convertible.
“Tell me, Poe, how do you like driving this car? That is what your friends call you, isn’t it, Poe?”
“I didn’t realize we were friends now.”
“Oh, I think we are. We came to an understanding last time. We’re both working for the same team, after all.”
“Why do you think it’s okay to sit in my car?” I asked.
“I’ve always wanted to try one of these out. It’s a bit cramped in here, especially for someone of your height.”
“Driving with the top down seems to make up for it.”
“Yes, I bet you feel rather special cruising around the island in your fancy car,” he said.
“Do you intend to get out or do I need to ask you to get out?”
Detective Parrish opened the door and climbed out.
“I’m surprised you leave the top down. Someone can get in your car so easily, maybe even plant something.”
“I keep the glove compartment and the trunk locked,” I said.
“Good idea. So, did you come here to see your client?”
“Former client. I swung by to officially let her know that I’d left her investigation.”
“May I ask why you dropped her case?”
“Three reasons. I don’t like being lied to. I don’t like her attorney, and I don’t want to work for someone who’s obviously guilty.”
“You’ve finally admitted the truth? What convinced you?” he asked.
“The gun in the safe behind the bookcase. I spoke to the locksmith today. His information confirmed everything for me.”
“Didn’t believe what I had to say?”
“No, not especially.”
“Maybe we aren’t friends, after all.”
“No, I’ve decided that we won’t be, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong about Mele Akamu. What I couldn’t figure out before is why she’d hire me to find the killer when she already knew who’d done it. It finally occurred to me that she likes playing games.”
“That’s it? She likes playing games?” he asked.
“That was part of it. The other part is that I was the wildcard. She wanted someone driving around the island and getting in the way. The more confusion I could cause, the more it would help her.”
“Maybe you’re not as arrogant
