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LEI

Lei and Pono entered Captain Omura’s office, a room that mirrored her no-nonsense approach to law enforcement. The walls were lined with commendations and photographs of her with various dignitaries, a testament to her decades of service. The room smelled faintly of the green tea she often sipped throughout the day.

Captain Omura had a sharp gaze that took in every detail of their appearance as they entered. “Have a seat,” she said, gesturing to the chairs in front of her desk.

Lei and Pono sat, and a moment later, Katie burst into the room. Her youthful energy was almost palpable, a stark contrast to the weariness Lei was feeling after the sad visit to the Kleftes residence. She carried a stack of printouts and a laptop, which she set down with a clatter on the captain's desk. “I take it you need room for your computer,” Captain Omura said flatly. “This better be good.”

“Oh, it is,” Katie said, brushing a lock of hair escaping from her bicolored braid away from her face. “I’ve got something you need to see.”

“Pono, get a chair for our intern,” Captain Omura said, leaning forward to move her monitor aside. Her interest was clearly piqued.

“No worries,” Katie said, bouncing out the door. “I’ll grab one from the hall.” She returned with a molded plastic seat and wedged it between the larger chairs Lei and Pono sat in. She then opened her laptop and quickly brought up a series of documents. “Both Cheryl Goodwin and Jonas Kleftes were involved in a major real estate deal together—a luxury condo development on the west side. And get this—the bricks used in the development are the same type found with the bodies.”

Lei exchanged a glance with Pono. “That can’t be a coincidence.”

“No, it can’t,” Pono agreed, his brow furrowed.

“There’s more. They were part of a development group in charge of the project that includes four key members: the main developer, David Steinbrenner, whose brainchild it is, the project manager, Beck Noble, and our victims. Given that, I’m worried Steinbrenner and Noble might be next on the killer’s list.”

Captain Omura’s perfect brows drew together. “Do you have anything on Steinbrenner and Noble? Addresses, recent activities?”

Katie nodded, tapping a few keys. “Steinbrenner’s clean as far as criminal records go. Lives on the west side, up in Kapalua. He’s like . . . a gazillionaire developer. He specializes in building getaways for the one-percenters, and has a reputation for trampling over local rights, culture, and history in the process—at least, according to the blogs I read. He’s the head of this development group, and their plans are pissing off the locals.”

“Could be this guy is next,” Pono rubbed his mustache with a thick forefinger. “And some might say he had it coming.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” Captain Omura said. “Katie, tell us about the other team member, Beck Noble.”

“Noble is the project manager—and you know what that is, right?” Katie whipped her head around to pin each of them with a stare. “Right?”

“Why don’t you remind us, McHenry,” Lei said. “So we all know what you’re thinking.”

“In construction development, it’s a liaison position. The project manager works between the client, who’s paying, and the contractor, who’s the actual boots on the ground—to keep a job moving. Noble is a regular dude, a retired contractor. No big money in his back pocket. He has a few minor blemishes on his record—DUI, some aggressive behavior complaints from a former employer registered with the Department of Consumer Affairs. He’s currently residing in Kihei.”

Lei leaned forward, her mind racing. “We need to warn these guys. If this killer is targeting the development team, they could be in danger. In any case, we need to interview them. The brick is definitely part of the message the killer was sending, and it connects these people—the first concrete evidence we’ve found.”

“Agreed,” Captain Omura said. “This is serious enough for immediate action. Pono, coordinate with Dispatch. Send patrol units to their addresses to warn them and do extra sweeps of their neighborhoods. We’ve had a long day, and this is just an update—so you can go home after.”

“Understood,” Pono said, standing up. “Lei can share what Dr. Gregory passed on to us, and what we picked up at the Kleftes residence. See you ladies tomorrow.” He left.

Lei filled the Captain and Katie in on their visit to the Kleftes mansion and the tox report from Dr. Gregory. “We brought back a couple of USB drives and some documents that looked related to Kleftes’s work. I thought Katie could look through them; they’re in the evidence room.”

“On it, boss,” Katie said, hopping up. “I’ll go by evidence and pick up those USB drives. See you all tomorrow.”

“Don’t stay too late,” the Captain said. “I’m watching the overtime budget for the whole department this month. We got dinged by the state recently, so you’re going to have to call it a day after this, too, Lei.”

“But not me, cuz I’m a barely paid slave intern still on probation!” Katie bopped out the door, way too fresh after such a long day.

“What about motive, Captain? Any ideas why someone would target this development team?” Lei said as she rose to her feet. “And dress these murders up with all that Hawaiiana? Pono thinks that part is fake. He said he has a feeling about it.”

“No ideas yet. But it’s clear these murders were carefully planned and executed. They’re happening fast to keep us off-balance.” Omura flicked glossy red fingernails. “Now get out of the building within the hour. Whatever else is going on will have to wait until tomorrow.”

* * *

As Lei left the office, the weight and exhaustion of what she’d seen that day settled over her. Lei’s thoughts were a series of snapshots: the crime scene on Haleakala, the visit to the Kleftes house, the news of tangible connections from Katie.

Driving back through Kahului, the urban landscape blurred past, amber streetlights coming on as night fell.

Who were these potential victims, and how had they attracted the rage made clear in the way the victims were executed? Pieces of a puzzle were coming together of a killer with a vendetta tied to the land and its development.

Was it enough to send the patrol officers to pass on a watered-down message? Or should she make personal calls now to warn the remaining members of the development group? Speak to them about Goodwin and Kleftes herself?

Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the steering wheel, her wedding ring clicking on the plastic, a physical manifestation of her internal debate.

The responsibility weighed heavily; but so did the need to follow protocol and the Captain’s directions about overtime. “Too strong to be coincidence, but does two make a pattern?” Lei wondered aloud. “The captain thought it was serious enough to send out units.” She sighed. “That ought to cover it.” Even so, her conclusion didn’t sit right.

As she turned off Hana Highway, navigating the narrow, winding road that led toward her family’s compound in Haiku, she rolled down the windows, trying to reconnect with the present. The lush greenery of the rainforest seemed to close in around her, the scents of damp earth and wild ginger filling the night air. She struggled to clear her mind; her family deserved her full attention.

Yeah, it had been a long, intense couple of days, but she was off now. Time to let it go.

Lei pulled up to the wooden gate that protected their home and inputted her code. The retractable barrier slid open—a modern convenience that never failed to feel reassuring. That, and the tall wooden fence surrounding the property, reinforced a feeling of leaving the world behind and being cocooned in safety and privacy.

She drove toward the house, a welcoming sight with its sprawling, single-story structure nestled among tropical plants. As soon as she stepped out of the truck, the family’s Rottweiler, Conan, bounded to greet her with an enthusiastic whine and wagging hindquarters. His large, muscular form was intimidating to strangers, but to Lei and her family, he was an affectionate giant. She bent down to ruffle his thick, dark fur and rub his sensitive ears. The Rottie’s happy rumblings brought a smile to her face despite her preoccupation. “Who’s the best boy? Conan, that’s who.”

“Mama!” Rosie’s high-pitched call lightened the evening like a sunbeam. Lei straightened up just in time to catch the little girl as Rosie launched herself into Lei’s arms.

“Hey, sweetie.” Lei lifted Rosie and spun her around, eliciting giggles that brought an answering grin to Lei’s face; her energy was coming back by the minute.

As she came up onto the porch carrying Rosie on her hip, Stevens emerged from the house, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans and a dish towel thrown over one shoulder. “That’s my favorite look on you,” Lei teased. “You’ve still got it, babe.”

Stevens’s crystal-blue eyes were crinkled at the corners with affection. “Glad to hear it.” He gave Lei a soft kiss on the lips. “Dinner’s almost ready. You’re just in time.”

“How’d I get to be so lucky? Six pack abs and a good cook, too. I think I’ll keep you.” Lei moved in to kiss him back.

That went on for a bit until Rosie gave her father a push. “Go fix dinner, Papa.”

“Yeah, get moving.” Lei gave Stevens a playful swat on the rear. “All I’ve had today was a Hot Pocket and coffee.”

The smells of garlic and coconut milk wafted from the kitchen, hinting at a tasty seafood curry. As Lei followed her husband back into the house, the stresses of her day began to dissolve in the warmth of home. Kiet, sitting on the couch with a book open and a pencil behind his ear, waved. “Hey, Mom.”

She went over and dropped a kiss on his shiny black hair. “Hey, son. Can you keep an eye on Rosie? I’m going to hop in the shower before dinner.” A good hot scrub in their spacious shower would wash away the last of her depressing day.

“Sure.” Kiet moved his books over. “She can sit here.”

Lei dropped Rosie in beside her brother; she promptly snuggled against his side and popped a thumb in her mouth, peering over at his textbook.

Passing her husband with his back turned to her at the stove, she headed for the office, loosening her shoulder holster so she could lock up her badge and gun.

Tonight was for family. The case, its dangers and decisions—those would have to wait until tomorrow. There had been a time when she hadn’t been able to let any of it go.