House of the Hanging Jade (17 page)

I explained the situation very quickly to the desk sergeant, who promised to send Detective Alana straight to the Jorgensens' home. Luckily, he was nearby in Hawi.

“Geoffrey, I've called the police,” I said in a loud voice. “They're on their way.”

I couldn't understand exactly what Geoffrey said after that. It sounded like a roar. I was thankful the door between us was locked. The next thing I heard was his footsteps, retreating rapidly toward the lanai. I opened the door and peeked into the hallway, then ran in the direction of the footsteps just to make sure he was leaving. I breathed an immense sigh of relief when I saw him dashing off the end of the lanai and onto the lawn. As I watched, he ran through the trees and disappeared. I could only hope he was running toward the road, but I couldn't be sure.

It was just a few minutes before Detective Alana arrived. I met him at the door and ushered him to the table on the lanai, where we sat and I related what had happened. He had lots of questions about Geoffrey: Why was he on the Big Island? Where was he from? Where was he staying now?

I could answer the questions about Geoffrey's recent past, like where he came from and why he was in Hawaii, but I didn't know where he was staying in Hawi. Lars had seen him at the bar on the main street, but I didn't know where else Geoffrey spent his time. I also couldn't give the officer any information about the restaurant-investment inquiries Geoffrey had mentioned.

Detective Alana left with a promise to be in touch once he had located Geoffrey. He didn't seem to think it would be difficult to find him. He warned me to be on my guard, though, until Geoffrey had been found.

“Why didn't you mention this earlier when I was here?” he asked.

“I was embarrassed and afraid that you'd think I was overreacting,” I said, avoiding his eyes.

“These things should always be reported as soon as one party feels they're in danger,” he said kindly. “I'm glad you've finally said something so we can get it sorted out and he'll stop bothering you.”

He left and I went back to the kitchen where, for once, I didn't even feel like cooking to distract myself. I was anxious and edgy. I opened cupboard doors and closed them again, not knowing what to do next. Not long ago, I might have gone kayaking to burn off some of my nervous energy, but I couldn't even do that. I wasn't ready to go back in the water following the shark attack.

Finally, I decided to take a drive to help settle my mind. Along the way I stopped at a small market in the town of Kapaau to pick up fresh fish for dinner. I hadn't visited the market before, but I had heard good things about it. I walked to the fish counter at the back of the store.

I was perusing the offerings when there was a tap on my shoulder. Startled, I jumped and cried out. Apparently, the drive hadn't completely erased all of the anxiety from my mind. I turned around to see Lars staring at me.

“I'm sorry,” he stammered. “I didn't mean to startle you like that.”

I smiled at him. “That's okay. I've had a rough day, that's all. What are you doing here?”

“Sometimes I stop here and grab something to eat after I'm done surfing. When I'm so hungry that I can't wait to eat,” he added, laughing. “What are you doing here?”

“I've heard that their fish is really good, so I thought I'd pick up something for dinner. Does that sound all right?”

“Sounds good. You've made a fish lover out of me,” he said with a smile, turning to head down one of the store's cramped aisles.

I finally decided on the
opakapaka
and the man behind the counter wrapped it for me. I found Lars waiting for me by my car outside.

“What did you pick out?” he asked.

“
Opakapaka
.” He looked puzzled. “Pink snapper,” I explained.

“Oh.” He nodded as if he knew what I was talking about. “If you don't mind my asking, what made your day so rough?”

I took a deep breath. He had a right to know, since Geoffrey had been an intruder in his home. “Remember that guy you met in the bar in Hawi when you went there to get some work done?” He nodded. “He was hiding in the house today, waiting in my bedroom when I came home from shopping in Waimea.”

His jaw dropped. “You're kidding.”

I shook my head ruefully. “I wish I were. But I got out and called the police.”

“Did he hurt you?”

I showed him my arm, where bruises had erupted from the force of Geoffrey's grip. Small red indentations remained where his fingernails had dug into my skin. “I'm okay, but he scared me. A detective came and spoke to me and promised to start looking for him.”

“Are you all right?” There was genuine concern in his voice.

I nodded. “I think so. I'm just sorry that he got in your house.”

“That
is
alarming. Did he get in through the front door?”

“No, he went around the side and came onto the lanai that way.”

“Let me make some calls. Maybe there's something we can do to make the sides of the house more secure. What good is an alarm system on the door if that's not how an intruder gets in?

“Are you really okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. Thanks.”

He stood aside as I got into the car. Through the rearview mirror I could see him watching me drive away. I felt somehow comforted knowing Lars was watching me, keeping an eye out for me. It was so different from the way I felt when Geoffrey watched me. When Geoffrey watched me it made my flesh creep.

When I got back to the house Marcus and Justine were already doing their homework with Liko on the lanai. I got to work in the kitchen making a macadamia-nut crust for the
opakapaka
. Then I took a tray of drinks out.

“You look tired, K,” Liko said after he greeted me.

“It's been a long day,” I said with a smile. He raised his eyebrows at me and gave me a look that promised we'd discuss it later.

“What's for dinner, Kailani?” asked Justine.

“Macadamia-nut-crusted fish and stir-fried veggies.”

“Sounds good,” said Marcus, stretching and reaching for a glass of iced tea. I grinned at him.

I was in the kitchen finishing the dinner preparations when Lars came looking for me. “I talked to the security firm that wired the house,” he began. He hadn't wasted any time. “They said they think they can come out here and rig up a laser security system that will protect the glass panels around the lanai from being breached.”

“But there are no glass panels on the ends, and that's how Geoffrey got in.”

“I know. The security firm is going to work with the architects who designed the house and get glass panels installed on the ends, then the laser system can be installed. It can all be done fairly quickly. I hope that helps put your mind at ease.”

“It does,” I said, letting out a long breath. “Thank you very much.”

“We don't want anything to happen to you.”

“I appreciate that.”

He smiled at me and went back to his office. I continued working in the kitchen, feeling more relaxed than I had all afternoon.

Barbie was home in time to eat dinner with the rest of the family that evening. Liko joined them at the table. Lars told him about the waves he had missed at Upolu.

“You'll have to go with me next time,” he said to Liko.

“That would be great. I'm sorry I missed it today,” Liko replied. I was setting a pitcher of tea on the table and I caught Liko's eye. He looked away quickly.

Later that evening I was in my den making my peace with Meli, who appeared to have forgiven me for my behavior earlier in the day. I apologized to her for throwing her at Geoffrey's face, and I would have sworn she smiled back at me. I was sure she was trying to tell me she had enjoyed it. I knew I was officially forgiven when she jumped up onto my lap and curled herself into a ball, purring as I stroked her ears and chin softly.

A knock sounded at the door. I jumped slightly, causing Meli to glare at me. “Who is it?” I asked.

“Me. Liko.”

“Come in.”

“What's going on, K? You look as white as a
haole
,” he said as he entered.

“Geoffrey gave me a scare today, that's all. I'm a little jumpy, I guess.”

“What happened?”

I told him the story, beginning after my trip home from Waimea and including the threat Geoffrey had made against him.

He let out a low whistle when I finished talking. “Wow. That guy is nuts. I'm glad you finally told the police. I'm sorry I wasn't here to help you.”

“Are you nervous that he threatened you?”

He scoffed. “Not at all. I dare him to come anywhere near me. Or anywhere near you again, for that matter. I think you need protection, K.”

“Lars has already talked to the security firm about putting a laser alarm system on the lanai, and the architects who built the house are going to come out and install glass panels on the ends, so the lasers will keep intruders out.”

“So you told Lars about it?”

“Yes. I ran into him in a store up in Kapaau. I didn't really want to because it's embarrassing, but he deserved to know.”

“Well, I'm glad he's doing something about it right away. In the meantime, I'm not going anywhere.”

“Not even to lunch with Barbie?” I arched my eyebrows at him.

“You know about that?” he asked, a touch of sheepishness in his voice.

“Yes. I was going to call out to you in Waimea today, but Barbie joined you before I had a chance. You'd better be careful, Liko.”

“Don't worry about it, K.”

“I've heard that before. Does it bother you that Barbie was with Dr. Rutledge the same night she was with you? Or that she began a relationship with you so soon after Dr. Doug's death? Does it ever bother you that you're fooling around with the mother of the kid you're supposed to be helping? What if Marcus finds out?”

“I'll admit that I don't want Marcus to find out. But as for Barbie and me, we have an understanding, K. I don't interfere with her life and she doesn't interfere with mine. We just have a good time when we're together.”

I shook my head. It wasn't my place to judge him or Barbie, but I couldn't help criticizing the way they were approaching their relationship.

He changed the subject. “I mean it, K. I'm staying near you until the laser system is set up.”

“Thanks, Liko.”

He left and I got ready for bed. I assumed I would have difficulty falling asleep, but thankfully I was wrong. I must have been more tired than I thought, because I slept soundly all night. My first thought upon waking was of Geoffrey, of him in my bedroom, his face twisted and angry, but I forced myself to take several deep breaths and concentrate on preparing breakfast before the kids had to catch the bus.

An architect and men from the security firm were at the house early, getting the measurements and other information they needed for the glass panels and laser alarm at the ends of the lanai. I couldn't believe how fast they were working to get the security-system additions in place. They told me it would be only a few days before the entire house was as safe as a fortress. I could rest easy.

And true to his word, Liko stayed at the house while I was there. I didn't see much of Barbie or Lars over the next couple days. Lars had gone to O'ahu on business and Barbie was busy at work. But Liko was always around, helping me in the kitchen, lounging by the pool, reading, and helping the kids after school on the lanai. He seemed to enjoy his time at the house, and I purposely didn't pay attention to what he and Barbie did after the kids went to bed.

L
ars was still on O'ahu when the police came with the results of Dr. Rutledge's autopsy. Akela showed the two officers to the table on the lanai and went to get Barbie. I wanted to join them to hear the results, but once I served coffee to everyone there was really no reason for me to stay.

The police weren't at the house very long. When they left, Barbie came into the kitchen.

“The officers said Dr. Rutledge had a blood-alcohol level of three times the legal limit. They said he fell down on the lava rocks and the impact is what killed him.” She sighed, then was silent for a moment. I wondered what was going through her mind. “He was such a nice man. I'll miss working with him. But thank goodness this tragedy is behind us and we can move on.” She shuddered. “To die like that—can you imagine?”

“What about Mrs. Rutledge?” I asked. Very little had been said about her after she left the party that night without her husband. I wondered if the police had told her of the results before Barbie. I felt sorry for her, knowing that her husband was cheating on her the night he died.

“I don't know what they've told her,” Barbie answered. “I just hope she doesn't sue us for serving her husband too much alcohol. Don't look shocked, Kailani. She and her husband didn't get along and she didn't like me, so she might view this as her chance to get back at me.”

“Get back at you for what?” The minute I said it, I knew I had gone too far. Barbie glared at me.

“That's between me and her.”

“I'm sorry,” I mumbled.

She seemed to soften. “That's okay. We're all on edge lately.” She turned and left.

Liko came into the kitchen a little while later. “I saw a police car leaving. What were they here for?”

I filled him in on the latest news and he breathed a long, loud sigh. “What a relief. I was afraid the result would be different.”

“You mean that his death wasn't an accident?” I asked.

“Yeah. I figured Lars would be arrested for killing him,” he said in a low voice.

“What makes you think Lars did it?”

“He knew about Barbie and Dr. Rutledge, didn't he? He was mad at Barbie that night because he couldn't find her, right? Plus, there's Dr. Doug. Barbie thinks Lars is going to be arrested for that any day now.”

“I don't know how you can say that about someone you call your friend. I would defend you if someone accused you of some horrible crime.”

“Of course he's my friend, K, but face facts. And I don't blame him. Who wouldn't be mad enough to kill if their wife was with some other guy?”

“Shouldn't you be asking yourself that? But to answer the question, there are other ways to express anger than killing people, you know.”

He held up his hands, as if to surrender. “Okay, okay. You win. I'm sorry I said anything.”

“Liko, I just don't think we should be talking about it, especially here in the house.”

He shrugged. “Well, I'm just glad it's over. Seen Barbie?”

I looked askance at him. “Not since the police left. She came in here to tell me what they said and I haven't seen her since then.”

“Have you heard anything about the glass panels and the laser system for the lanai?”

“Yes. Everything should be installed tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good. I'll feel better when it's done.”

I spent the afternoon preparing dinner and dessert for the family. I served a bouillabaisse with rouille, steamed white asparagus, grilled baguette slices, and pineapple-guava pavlova for dessert.

“You've outdone yourself tonight,” Barbie said, beaming, as I cleared the dishes from the table. “It was fan
tas
tic! Even the kids loved it, and I didn't think they'd eat the soup or the veggies.”

I smiled at her. “Thank you. I love making dishes with fresh fish, and the pavlova seemed a perfect accompaniment.”

Later that night, I was curled up in a chair on the lanai with a glass of wine when I heard whispering. Looking over the rail onto the lawn below, I saw Liko and Barbie. Liko had his arm around her shoulders and they were deep in conversation. Something told me to back up quickly so they wouldn't see me. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I listened as hard as I could until they were out of earshot. I only heard the words “Dr. Rutledge” and “Lars.” It looked like their relationship was getting stronger, not weakening as I hoped it would. I shuddered to think how the family would be hurt if Lars or the kids found out about their many rendezvous.

I tiptoed into the darkened kitchen to finish my wine, but a noise at the front door almost caused me to drop the glass. I peered around the corner into the hallway, where a light snapped on. I was so relieved to see Lars that my knees almost gave out. He saw me before I ducked my head back into the kitchen.

“Hi, Kailani. Sorry if I startled you. I didn't want to call from the airport and wake anyone up.”

“You didn't startle me,” I lied.

“I haven't had dinner yet,” he said quietly. “Is there anything left over?”

I heated a big bowl of bouillabaisse and some asparagus and quickly grilled more baguette on the kitchen stove. I served it to him, along with a glass of white wine, at the small table near the kitchen. I wanted to keep him away from the big table on the lanai in case Liko and Barbie were still outside.

“Tell me what's been going on since I went over to O'ahu,” he said, indicating a chair opposite him.

“Not much, really. The people from the security firm called to tell me they're coming tomorrow to install the glass panels at each end of the lanai.”

“They called me too. I asked them to call you and let you know. Put your mind at ease a bit.”

I smiled. “Thank you. It did help me relax a little.”

“Have you heard any more from Geoffrey?”

“No. Hopefully I won't.”

“I'm heading up to Hilo day after tomorrow. You still want to come?”

“Sure.”

When Lars was finished with dinner, he carried the dishes to the kitchen. I shooed him out and put everything away, then went to bed.

The next morning the security people and architects showed up early. They were there most of the day fitting the new glass panels and laser security upgrades on the ends of the lanai. Before they left, Lars asked them to show me exactly how they worked so I wouldn't worry about intruders anymore. They showed me in great detail how the system operated and how I could arm and disarm it myself from a new control panel they installed in the kitchen. It was very comforting for me to have all the information, though I didn't understand the engineering of the system. It was also comforting that Lars insisted that I learn how it worked so that I wouldn't have to be concerned about Geoffrey making any unwanted appearances.

I slept much better that night. I felt safe and secure and was looking forward to going up to the farmers' market in Hilo the next morning. After the kids left for school and Barbie went to work, Lars came to get me in the kitchen.

“Ready? My meeting is in just a couple hours, so we better get going.”

The road to Hilo took us over to the eastern side of the island, where it was overcast and drizzly. I enjoyed watching the dazzlingly green farms as they whizzed by and the rain forests growing all around us on some stretches of the road. As we drove, the Pacific Ocean stretched away to our left, its cerulean hue looking somewhat darker under the cloudy skies.

Lars dropped me off at the farmers' market, promising to return for me after his meeting.

“You think a couple hours will be long enough to look around?” he asked.

I laughed. “I could stay here all day, but it'll do.”

He drove away and I was left to my own devices at the market. I strolled slowly among the stalls of papayas, strawberries, onions, honey, lavender, guava, jams and jellies, baked goods, tomatoes of all varieties, ginger, lychees, rambutans, and scores of other kinds of fruits and vegetables. I was thrilled to be there. I took my time deciding which stalls had the best produce and goodies, then filled several bags with the choices I thought the Jorgensens would like best. I walked over to the park across the street from the market and sat watching the water as I waited for Lars. I was able to block out the noise from the traffic behind me as I followed the paths of the boats that traveled out in the bay.

Lars texted me when he was back in Hilo.

It wasn't long before Lars pulled up behind me. I stood up with all my bags and he got out to help me. He was laughing.

“Did you buy one of everything?”

“I couldn't resist!”

He was looking inside the bags. “This stuff looks great. Did you eat anything at the market?”

“No. I was too busy looking around.”

“Want to get a late lunch at the Thai place up the street?”

We left the bags in the car and walked past the farmers' market to the restaurant a few doors up the block. We both ordered red curry over rice and decided to get the food to go so we could eat in the park by the car.

After lunch we reluctantly headed home. Lars asked me about the culinary school where I trained and what I wanted to do after my stint as a personal chef was over. He didn't laugh when I told him my dream was to open a food truck that served healthy, high-quality breakfasts and lunches. I asked him how he became interested in clothes for surfers. He explained that he surfed in California growing up and he never liked the clothes that were marketed to surfers. He thought he could do better. Obviously, he was right.

He turned left off the highway at one point. “Where are you going?” I asked.

“I thought we'd check out Akaka Falls. I haven't been there in a while. Have you ever been?”

“Not since I was a kid,” I replied, recalling a field trip there with my elementary school. “I remember it was amazing.”

“I love it there. I like to visit Kahuna Falls too, even though it's not quite as spectacular as Akaka Falls.”

We parked in the small parking lot and took the stairs and paved narrow path first to Kahuna Falls, winding slowly through the rain forest. Groves of bamboo grew sky-high beside rushing streams, and ferns by the thousands rustled along the path. The only sounds we could hear were the joyful cries of the birds, the water bubbling in the streams, the
whooshing
sound made by the swaying stalks of bamboo, and the soft drips of water from the trees. There were no other people around on this weekday afternoon. It was peaceful and beautiful.

When we reached Kahuna Falls, we watched for several minutes as the water tumbled in a rush, continuing its descent from the top of the cliff where the earth fell away to the dark pool below. I hadn't remembered Kahuna Falls from my elementary-school visit.

We turned to resume our hike toward Akaka Falls, reluctant to leave behind the solitude and almost secret feeling of Kahuna Falls. I stumbled on the wet path and Lars reached out to grab my arm. After that I picked my way up the path a bit more carefully, not wanting to embarrass myself again.

We heard Akaka Falls before we saw it. The tremendous power of the water as it dropped over 400 feet echoed with a thunderous roar. I quickened my step a bit as we drew closer, excited to see the source of the sound. When we came to the top of the rise in the path, I drew in my breath as the full grace and beauty of the waterfall came into view.

“I didn't remember it being this beautiful,” I said in awe.

“Isn't it incredible?” Lars asked quietly. One other couple stood at the fence, watching the falls. They took turns taking each other's pictures in front of the waterfall and I approached them and offered to take one of them both. They were thrilled.

When they asked if they could return the favor, I shook my head. “Why not?” asked Lars. “I think it would be nice to have a picture of this spot. Neither one of us gets up this way very often.” He handed his cell phone to the woman, who stood smiling and waiting. We stood next to the fence and Lars put his arm around my back. We smiled and the woman snapped our photo, then handed the phone to Lars for inspection.

“That's a great shot. Thanks,” he told her, and she and her husband continued on the path, leaving us alone with the waterfall.

Lars leaned over and showed me the picture. “Do you like it?” he asked. “I can text it to you. Better not let Barbie see that, though. She might not appreciate it.” He smiled ruefully.

“Actually, this is probably as good a time as any to tell you that I've finally asked Barbie for a divorce.”

I started to speak, to tell him how sorry I was, but he held up his hand, stopping me.

“I know what you're going to say, but don't. I'm not sorry. I'm sorry for what the kids are going to have to endure in the coming months, maybe even years, but I'm not sorry for myself. Ours has been a marriage in name only for a very long time, since before we even moved to Hawaii. She never wanted to move here. I moved the family here to get her away from the men she was seeing in California. I think I even told you that I believe one of them is actually Justine's father. I thought I would make one last-ditch effort to save our family. But it didn't work. I know she's been sleeping around since we arrived on the Big Island. I just didn't have the heart or the guts to go through with it until now.”

“Well, I am sorry to hear it, even if you don't want me to say it.”

“Thank you. I know what you mean. It's never nice when a marriage ends, but like I said, this hasn't been much of a marriage for years. The kids deserve better. And they know Barbie and I haven't been happy since they were very little.”