Last week a goat had managed to get into the crop and destroy thousands of dollars worth of plants. Then the electricity in the greenhouse went on the fritz and theyd lost some very rare species of orchids.
A bright yellow Jeep screamed up the drive and halted with squealing tires and a cloud of dust.
Uh-oh, Pa-no, Kiki remarked, using her childhood refrain as she watched her cousin jump out of his vehicle and hustle his bulky frame toward them. When he got close enough, she subtly sniffed him. Thankfully, today he was sober.
What happened? Pano demanded as he stopped beside Nik.
Nik explained.
Panos dark eyes widened. Good thing no one was hurt. Taking his grandmothers hands in his, he asked, Tutu, are you sure youre not hurt? I came the minute I heard. Is there anything I can do?
Lanas soft smile was full of love for her grandson. No, dear. The police are doing what they can. Im grateful you came, though.
Panos gaze shifted to Ryan. Hey, arent you the guy who was here last spring, wanting to buy this place?
Yes, Ryan answered.
Panos gaze narrowed. Did you do this?
That was the same question Kiki had considered. She watched Ryan closely as he shook his head, his gaze direct and honest.
No, I didnt. But I can see how this doesnt look good for me. Ryan turned to address Nik. Ill cooperate fully in your investigation. I have nothing to hide.
Nik nodded his thanks. Thats appreciated. Ill have more questions Im sure.
Why dont you ask him about the deal the neighbors have? Pano suggested to Nik, his gaze hard on Ryan.
Kiki flitted a glance at Ryan as wariness twisted in her gut. Deal?
The neighbors on both sides of the property want to sell, but the deal wont go through unless the investors I represent have this land, as well, Ryan explained.
Anger shot through Kiki. Had one of her neighbors done this? The neighbors are just going to have to live with disappointment.
When did you make this deal with the neighbors? Nik asked.
Weve been in negotiations since last May, Ryan responded.
Kiki blinked as disbelief swept through her.
Hed been talking to their neighbors even after shed told him they wouldnt sell?
Now Mr. Laanuis comment at the grocery store last month made sense. The old man had cornered her in the produce section. Youre standing in the way, hed stated in English, his black eyes cold.
Shed assumed he meant she was in his way with her cart, but now she wasnt so sure. Could he have blown up her truck? Or had one of the other neighbors?
Pano, Im sure Ryan had nothing to do with this, Tutu stated firmly. He is a guest on the island and would like to learn to bodysurf. Why dont you take him tomorrow? Tutu suggested, though judging by the forceful look in her dark eyes she expected Pano to do as she asked.
For a moment, Kiki didnt think Pano would comply. But then he relented and nodded.
Sure. You up for that? Pano asked Ryan.
Ryan gave Pano a thumbs-up sign. Kikis teeth clenched. The last thing she needed was Ryan and Pano buddying up, giving Ryan an opportunity to convince Pano to advocate the sale of the land. She wasnt sure where Pano stood on the issue. Hed never taken much of an interest in the business, even though hed grown up on the farm. Hed moved out as soon as he could and now lived in a beachside apartment complex in Kihei.
A shrill ringing filled the air.
Ill get it, said Tutu. She hurried toward the house.
At the questioning looks of the men, Kiki explained, We have the phone set up on a loudspeaker system so we can hear it if were in the field or the greenhouse.
Youd definitely be able to hear that, quipped Ryan.
Where are you staying, McClain? Pano asked.
The Mana Kai.
Nik nodded. If I have any more questions for you, Ill know where to find you.
Kiki! Tutu called from the doorway.
Excuse me. Kiki left the three men talking and hurried to the house, careful not to brush against the floral couch. Tutu sat in a cane-back chair at the dining table, the phone sitting on the table. There was a strange expression on Tutus face.
Whats wrong? Kiki asked, concern running cold in her veins.
Tutu gestured to the phone. Your father is on the line.
Kiki picked it up. Daddy?
Hi, sweetheart. Theres an issue that you need to know about. An ex-con named Jeff Tolar, who was released six months ago, has vowed revenge on your grandfather for putting him away.
Distress tightened Kikis lungs. She pulled out a chair and sat next to Tutu. Tutu wrapped her hand around Kikis free hand.
What did Grandfather put him away for?
Second-degree murder. During a convenience-store robbery, the store clerk tried to stop Tolar. He shot and killed the clerk during the ensuing struggle. Tolar claimed hed never intended to hurt anyone. Your grandfather gave the guy the max. But he got out early on a technicality. Earlier this week, your grandfathers office was ransacked and the only thing missing was his photo of the grandkids.
Kiki knew immediately which picture he referred to. At Christmas four years ago, all the grandkids had posed in front of the old white oak tree outside of her grandparents home. It had been the first time in years that the six of them had all been together for the holiday. The picture had sat on her grandfathers sideboard in his judges chambers ever since.
Thered been threats made on the family over the years, even a few attempts directly made on her grandfathers life. Most judges received them at one time or another. Whenever a threat was made, the whole family went on alert. Youll keep Mother safe?
Of course. We all have protection here.
Hows Grandfather taking this? Kiki asked, picturing in her mind the tough judge whose gruff voice and craggy face had frightened Kiki as a child.
In stride. But hes getting on in years and is thinking about retiring.
Kiki didnt have any strong feelings one way or another about her grandfathers retirement. Shed never been close to her fathers parents even though shed grown up near them in Philadelphia. Please give everyone my love and tell them Ill be praying for them.
I will. But Kiki, you have to be careful, okay?
Its highly unlikely this Jeff Tolar guy is going to come to the island looking for me.
The police think otherwise. Promise me if any strangers come around, youll contact the police and me ASAP.
Kiki frowned as the events of the day played out in her head. Surely one didnt have anything to do with the other. Did it?
Her fathers words replayed in her head. An ex-con released six months ago. About the time that Ryan had first shown up. Coincidence? Or was there something more sinister about his appearance at the Kaapa farm?
The hair at the nape of her neck shimmied with awareness. She knew before she even turned her gaze that shed find Ryan standing in the doorway, filling the frame with his presence.
And blocking the only escape.
TWO
Turning her face away from Ryan and lowering her voice, Kiki said, There has been a stranger here wanting to buy the farm.
Give me his name and Ill have the FBI run a check on him, Hunter said, his voice echoing her anxiety.
As a well-respected lawyer in his own right, Hunter had connections in all areas of law enforcement. Kiki gave him the information, aware that Tutu had moved to talk quietly with Ryan.
Also, Daddy, someone blew up the fertilizer truck today. The police said it was a homemade pipe bomb.
Kiki, you and Lana come to Philly immediately, he demanded, his voice hard and laced with worry.
No, Daddy, Kiki replied with a good dose of stubbornness. Theyd been down this road several times over the last year. Her parents thought she was wasting her talents on a business that had never really seen great success. Kikis mother wanted Lana to sell and move to Philadelphia to live with them. And shed been very upset about Kikis decision to move to Maui. Kiki didnt understand how her mother could turn her back on her heritage, a thing Kiki could never do. Not even an explosion could make her go back to Philadelphia and the life shed had there.
At least until all this unpleasantness is settled, he insisted.
No, she repeated. If there was danger here on the island, shed rather trust the Maui police to protect her and Tutu than go back to Philly and subject herself and Tutu to her fathers family.
There was a moment of silence. Kiki could picture the frustrated tick in her fathers hard jaw.
Ill check on this McClain fellow and get back to you. Until then dont let him in the house, he finally said.
Its a little late for that, Kiki thought as she watched her grandmother hand Ryan a glass of water. Hurry.
Be very careful.
I will. Kiki hung up and faced Ryan. He looked ridiculously handsome, despite the flecks of fertilizer clinging to his suit, and nothing like a hardened criminal. But one could never tell. Is Nik still outside?
Ryan nodded. The forensic team just showed up.
Good. Kiki moved closer to her grandmother. Im sure Nik is done questioning you. You can leave now.
He blinked at her blatant attempt to get rid of him. Actually, Im blocked in.
Crud. Kiki tapped her foot. How long would it take her father to have a background check run on the man?
Wont you stay for dinner? Lana asked, always the polite hostess.
Kiki shook her head. Im sure Mr. McClain would like to clean up. I know I would.
Tutu laughed. Ive grown used to the smell.
Ryan smiled. Dinner would be great, but perhaps another time.
Tomorrow? Tutu pressed.
Works for me, Ryan answered. But I really should see if I can get back to the condo and clean up.
Yes, thats a great idea, Kiki stated, and preceded him out the door.
Ryan suppressed a grin. She really was something, this Hawaiian beauty. Her long tan legs carried her with a swift, economical stride. Everything about her was tightly contained, but the woman clearly had fire in her blood. And obviously even a bomber couldnt intimidate her.
He frowned, not liking that someone had committed such a dangerous act. Kiki and her grandmother could really have been hurt had they been closer to the truck.
Kiki flipped her dark braid over her shoulder, the thick end nearly clobbering him in the face. Shed probably hoped it would. For some reason she didnt like him.
Having a woman respond so negatively was an odd experience for him when he poured on extra charm. For as long as he could remember, females flocked to him with as little encouragement as a smile.
But not Kiki Brill.
No, from the moment shed laid eyes on him last May shed bristled like a porcupine caught in the glare of headlights.
Today was no different. When she scrambled away after the blast, her gold-speckled eyes had widened with a mixture of disbelief and something else that hed been unable to identify. And then her gaze had turned cold and the lines around her lush red lips had tightened.
From the moment shed opened her mouth, shed made it clear he wasnt welcome, which only fueled his desire to breach her wall of resistance.
Because with enough charm and persistence, he would get his way. He would not fail. Failing wasnt something he did graciously. Or often.
He wanted to close the deal and acquire the second half of his bonus so he could move on to other projects. The delay in convincing Kiki and Lana to sell stressed Ryans game plan. Not something he took lightly.
From his vantage point behind Kiki, he noted the regal manner with which she walked down the porch, so straight and tall, as if ready to conquer the world, and it called to something deep in Ryan.
Pano and Nik stopped talking as Kiki and Ryan approached.
Niks dark, assessing gaze reminded Ryan of his brother Brody, also a law enforcement man. Ryan supposed it was a trick of the trade, watching and analyzing every person. Brody was good at the law thing. Nik probably was, too.
But Ryan wasnt sure what to make of Pano, who wore a T-shirt with a restaurant logo emblazoned across the back and red board shorts that fell just above his knees. He looked very much like the stereotypical Polynesian man.
Pano was huge in height and mass, with broad features and jet-black eyes and hair. Kikis curvy statuesque build, crowned by her shiny black-brown hair, gold-specked brown eyes and symmetrical features made it seem as if they werent from the same gene pool.
And looking at Lana Kaapa, who had joined them outside, he could see that she had different features than either of her grandchildren. Lanas rounded face, kind brown eyes and diminutive stature made Ryan wonder about the two cousins parents.
Granted, not all relatives resembled each other. Ryan and his sister, Megan, favored their mothers side of the family, except for Ryans dark eyes. Only his sister, out of the four siblings, had been blessed with the Kelley blues. Ryans older brothers, Brody and Patrick, both resembled their father in looks, but also their grandfather Connor McClain.
Officer, do you need anything else from me? Ryan asked.
No, youre good to go. Just dont leave the island, Nik responded.
Pano tipped his chin in Ryans direction. Tomorrow I can take you out to Makena Beach. Good surfing there.
Makena Beach is fine. Ryan turned to Lana. Im sorry for the trouble youve had today. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
She patted his arm. Well see you for dinner tomorrow.
He met Kikis smoldering gaze. Whether she liked it or not, Ryan was going to make this sale go through.
One way or another.
Anger simmered low in Kikis gut as she watched Ryan drive his rented Mustang out of sight. He seemed to have her Tutu wrapped around his little finger. He wouldnt be so successful with Kiki.
Why hadnt her father called back? It would ease her mind if she could confirm Ryans true identity. Then all shed have to worry about was his smooth-talking sales pitch and not whether he was going to try to hurt her to get back at her grandfather.
Ha! As if her grandfather would even bat an eye if anything were to happen to Kiki or her mother. The judge hadnt been coy in making his feelings known over the years. The Brills had never forgiven or forgotten that their son Hunter had turned his back on the debutante theyd picked out for him.