Burned

“You’re so lucky you found Jack. Of course your father had to get kidnapped for that to happen,” Kit joked.

Regan smiled. “My father considers himself a real matchmaker. He loves to tell everyone that story. I can’t wait until he grabs the microphone at our wedding reception. I’m sure he’ll just happen to mention it again.”

“I don’t think my father would be willing to get kidnapped to help me find a guy, but I’m sure my grandmother would.” Kit started to fold her clothes. “I can’t believe everything that’s happened to those leis. Will is lucky you just happened to be here.”

“I don’t know about that.” Regan frowned. “I just hope I can make a dent in these cases before we leave on Monday.”

“Anything new on the Dorinda front?”

“I went to her apartment with her cousin. It was interesting. There are a few things I’m looking into. I want to talk to that girl we met on the beach last night.”

“You were sure she’d call you,” Kit reminded her.

“She still might, but I don’t want to wait for that. Will is going to find out what room she and her fiancé are in so I can contact them.”

“They’re probably still celebrating their engagement.”

“You may be right. She was pretty excited.”

“I’d be excited, too, after ten years.” Kit paused. “Can you imagine if Steve took ten years to propose? I shudder at the thought.”

“Don’t go there, Kit,” Regan warned.

“I know, I know.”

“By the way, has Steve said anything about Dorinda?”

“No. The other night, at the bar, she whispered something in his ear, and he rolled his eyes. She seemed to be a

Kit looked at her watch.

“I’ll jump in the shower,” Regan said.

A half hour later they were in a cab and on their way to Steve’s.

“You’re carrying a big purse,” Kit commented.

The better to hold something with Steve’s fingerprints, Regan thought. I might need room for a kitchen knife. “You know me,” Regan answered. “I carry my notebook and cell phone in case I have to get back to work. Will is certainly hoping that won’t happen tonight. He’s picking up his wife at the airport and needs a little peace.”

“And you deserve the night off. Regan, this is also your vacation. Let’s just have fun.”

Regan smiled at her best friend. Tonight is anything but a night off, she thought. She patted her buddy’s arm, the buddy who’d been such an important part of her life for the last ten years. “I’m sure it’ll be interesting.”

51

J azzy and Claude were in a stretch limo driving back from the airport. Claude liked to be seen in a certain light, the light that emanated from luxury cars, fine clothing, and upscale surroundings. His home on the Big Island made his heart swell, but as it turned out, that wasn’t enough. He was now trying to find the meaning of life through his Hawaiian clothing line.

As the car glided along the highway, Jazzy poured champagne for Claude and herself. They clinked glasses and sipped the bubbly, content in the knowledge that people who saw their vehicle were probably wondering who the important people riding in the back were. They pushed away the thought that if they rolled down the windows and their identities were revealed, nobody would care.

“Are you tired, Claude?” Jazzy asked solicitously.

“I work very hard, Jazzy. I was stuck on an airplane for hours. Of course I’m tired.”

Jazzy made the appropriate cooing sounds of sympathy. “Well, the ball is going to be a big success for us. I just know it.”

“I think women are going to be thrilled when they put on my muumuus. You know why? Because they’re sexy. Not too many muumuus are sexy. But I know how to design. I know what women want. And the men are going to love my Hawaiian shirts. Any word from GQ?”

“No.”

Claude scowled.

“What I mean is, not yet,” Jazzy hastened to add.

“I can’t believe they’re not interested. It would make a great story about how I, Claude Mott, will make it hip to wear Hawaiian shirts no matter where you live.”

“I know you can do it, Claude.”

“Of course I can. I thank God that those leis have been recovered.”

She clinked his glass. “So do I. It will make everything so much better tomorrow night.”

“I wonder if the discovery of the leis in Will Brown’s office will cause him trouble.”

“It can’t be good. The reports I heard on my way to the airport said the police are investigating and they have no suspects. There’s a private investigator named Regan Reilly staying at the hotel. She’s smart. I have the feeling that she’s working for Will.”

“Her name is Regan Reilly?” he asked with one eyebrow raised.

“Yes.”

“That name sounds familiar.”

“Her mother is a mystery writer named Nora Regan Reilly. She’s well-known.”

“Of course. The woman next to me on the plane was reading one of her books. No wonder it rang a bell.” He sipped his champagne. “So, Jazzy, tomorrow night you will be modeling my sexy muumuu.”

“I’ll go around to every table and make sure they all get a good look. They’ll love it.”

Claude smiled for the first time in about three weeks. “You know, Jazzy, I’ve been studying the history of great designers. They all made their mark in different ways. For me it’s about bringing the lei to the world. Leis are all over my clothing. I think leis should be worn to black-tie events in New York City. I say that everyone should have leis in their wardrobe. They should wear my clothing when they are casually dressed and real leis when they dress up. I think that is my mission in life: leis for everyone.”

Jazzy held up her glass and smiled with satisfaction. “Here’s to leis everywhere.”

They clinked glasses and sipped Dom Perignon as the limo sped toward the Waikiki Waters Resort.

52

D own by the pool, Francie, Artie, and Joy were sipping piña coladas. The hula girls were getting ready to swivel their hips, and the musicians were testing the sound system. Ned approached and took a seat.

“How’s your mother?” Artie asked.

Ned almost said “Huh?” but made a quick recovery. “She’s feeling better. Thanks for asking.”

A waitress came over, and Ned ordered his double scotch. Before she walked away, Bob and Betsy arrived and placed their orders for mai tais.

When the whole group was seated and served and sipping, Joy decided to open up the floor to a discussion of the twins. “You all know that Gert and Ev are being stingy with Sal Hawkins’s money. I say that when we get back to Hudville we ask to see his will and the accounting records.”

Bob’s eyes lit up. “You think they’re like Bo

“What?” Joy asked.

“Bo

“I don’t think they’re going around shooting anybody. But for all we know they could have spent the day shopping at Ala Moana Center with Sal Hawkins’s money and had everything sent back to Hudville. It’s not right. I know someone who went on one of the first trips, and she said it was fantastic. They were taking helicopter rides and sunset cruises and doing fun things that cost bucks. Now, if it cost money to go swimming in the pool, I think those two would point us to the ocean.”

Ned almost choked on the scotch that he was drinking too quickly. “Could they be embezzling funds?” he asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “That’s unbelievable. I know they drive a hard bargain with Will.”

“Of course they could!” Francie cried dramatically, waving her arm in the air. “They are denying us our right to enjoy Hawaii to the fullest!”

“At least we scored four tickets for the ball,” Artie a

Gle

“He’s everywhere,” Joy commented.

Ned’s central nervous system was on red alert. He took another sip of scotch. When he saw Gle