Read Online Wedding Day Dead: A Murder on Maui Mystery by Robert W. Stephens - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Robert W. Stephens
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away.
Maui the dog ran between my legs and took off down the street. I called to him, but he completely ignored me. I spent the next five minutes chasing the little guy down and praying he wouldn’t get hit by a car. I finally caught him when I cornered him between the neighbor’s house and his backyard fence. Maui rolled on his back. I couldn’t believe the audacity of this guy. He expected a belly rub after making me run him down. I picked him up and carried him back into the house.
Foxx came out of the bedroom a few minutes later, and I told him about Panos. We both sat in stunned silence for what seemed like an hour. Foxx called Michelle. She’d just heard the news on television and was already on her way to see Hani. Bad news does travel fast.
The next few days were a complete blur. Panos’ murder was all anyone talked about. I didn’t know if the police were making any progress, and Alana didn’t call to give me any updates on the case or Hani’s condition. I wanted to call myself but was worried about intruding. Besides, Foxx kept me somewhat up-to-date. Michelle had been spending a lot of time with Hani. She said Alana wasn’t there most of the time, and Hani didn’t want to be alone. I assumed Alana was helping with the murder investigation despiteher connection to the deceased. It was about five days after Alana’s visit that Panos’ sister, Daphne, called me.
“I’m so sorry about your brother,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
I wasn’t about to ask her how she felt. It seemed like a stupid and obvious question.
“The reason I’m calling is that my mother is in town. She’s requested to see you.”
“Your mother wants to see me? I don’t understand.”
“I really would prefer not to get into it over the phone. Would it be possible for you to come by the house tonight around seven? Her flight arrives later this afternoon. I’d like to give her a few hours to rest before she meets with you.”
“Of course. No problem,” I said.
“Good. I’ll text you my address.”
I hung up the cell phone and slipped it back into my pocket. I didn’t have the slightest clue why Panos’ mother would want to see me. I’d certainly never met the lady. I didn’t know why she would even know about my existence.
I went on a long run that afternoon to try to clear my head. I’d been doing that every day since the news of Panos’ murder, but the runs didn’t seem to make a difference, at least not in erasing the fog that was my brain. After the runs, I’d walk the dog for a cool-down and to get him some exercise too. I was glad for Maui’s presence. He was the only positive thing in my life right now, even if he was always demanding attention.
I took a shower right before heading to Daphne’s home. I put on nice clothes, a pair of pressed khaki pants and a linen shirt. I showed up at her house exactly on time. The house was two stories and had to easily be three thousand square feet. It also sat on an acre of ocean-front land. I had no idea what a piece of property like that cost, but it must have been in the millions.
The door opened before I could ring the bell. I was greeted by a Hawaiian woman who looked to be in her late sixties. She was on the short side, and I believe the polite term in referencing her size is “pleasantly plump.”
“Good morning, Mr. Rutherford,” she said.
“Good morning,” I said.
I entered the house, and she closed the door behind me. The house was as impressive on the inside as it was on the outside. Dark, rich wood covered thefloors. Large tropical plants and flowers were tastefully placed throughout. The decor reminded me a little bit of the lobby of the View, and I wondered which place inspired which.
“My name’s Kalena. Mrs. Laskaris is waiting for you in the back.”
She led me down the front hallway. We rounded the corner, and I saw Daphne. I walked up to her and hugged her. We weren’t close by any means, but it seemed and felt like the
Maui the dog ran between my legs and took off down the street. I called to him, but he completely ignored me. I spent the next five minutes chasing the little guy down and praying he wouldn’t get hit by a car. I finally caught him when I cornered him between the neighbor’s house and his backyard fence. Maui rolled on his back. I couldn’t believe the audacity of this guy. He expected a belly rub after making me run him down. I picked him up and carried him back into the house.
Foxx came out of the bedroom a few minutes later, and I told him about Panos. We both sat in stunned silence for what seemed like an hour. Foxx called Michelle. She’d just heard the news on television and was already on her way to see Hani. Bad news does travel fast.
The next few days were a complete blur. Panos’ murder was all anyone talked about. I didn’t know if the police were making any progress, and Alana didn’t call to give me any updates on the case or Hani’s condition. I wanted to call myself but was worried about intruding. Besides, Foxx kept me somewhat up-to-date. Michelle had been spending a lot of time with Hani. She said Alana wasn’t there most of the time, and Hani didn’t want to be alone. I assumed Alana was helping with the murder investigation despiteher connection to the deceased. It was about five days after Alana’s visit that Panos’ sister, Daphne, called me.
“I’m so sorry about your brother,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
I wasn’t about to ask her how she felt. It seemed like a stupid and obvious question.
“The reason I’m calling is that my mother is in town. She’s requested to see you.”
“Your mother wants to see me? I don’t understand.”
“I really would prefer not to get into it over the phone. Would it be possible for you to come by the house tonight around seven? Her flight arrives later this afternoon. I’d like to give her a few hours to rest before she meets with you.”
“Of course. No problem,” I said.
“Good. I’ll text you my address.”
I hung up the cell phone and slipped it back into my pocket. I didn’t have the slightest clue why Panos’ mother would want to see me. I’d certainly never met the lady. I didn’t know why she would even know about my existence.
I went on a long run that afternoon to try to clear my head. I’d been doing that every day since the news of Panos’ murder, but the runs didn’t seem to make a difference, at least not in erasing the fog that was my brain. After the runs, I’d walk the dog for a cool-down and to get him some exercise too. I was glad for Maui’s presence. He was the only positive thing in my life right now, even if he was always demanding attention.
I took a shower right before heading to Daphne’s home. I put on nice clothes, a pair of pressed khaki pants and a linen shirt. I showed up at her house exactly on time. The house was two stories and had to easily be three thousand square feet. It also sat on an acre of ocean-front land. I had no idea what a piece of property like that cost, but it must have been in the millions.
The door opened before I could ring the bell. I was greeted by a Hawaiian woman who looked to be in her late sixties. She was on the short side, and I believe the polite term in referencing her size is “pleasantly plump.”
“Good morning, Mr. Rutherford,” she said.
“Good morning,” I said.
I entered the house, and she closed the door behind me. The house was as impressive on the inside as it was on the outside. Dark, rich wood covered thefloors. Large tropical plants and flowers were tastefully placed throughout. The decor reminded me a little bit of the lobby of the View, and I wondered which place inspired which.
“My name’s Kalena. Mrs. Laskaris is waiting for you in the back.”
She led me down the front hallway. We rounded the corner, and I saw Daphne. I walked up to her and hugged her. We weren’t close by any means, but it seemed and felt like the
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