Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

asked.
“Question everything that she tells you. She’ll almost certainly hold back vital information, even if it would help her case,” Alana said.
I could have commented on Eric Ellis’ blackmail scheme, but I decided to wait until Hani and Ms. Hu left.
“When you see her again, please tell her I said hello,” Ms. Hu said.
“I will. I don’t know why I’m so surprised that you two are friends,” I asked.
“We both grew up on Maui, didn’t we?” Ms. Hu asked.
“Yes. How could I forget?” I turned to Hani. “Good luck on the seating chart. Just do me one favor and keep Alana and me as far from those quarreling couples as possible.”
“Oh, I have you two at the same table,” Hani said, and she smiled. “Just kidding. You guys are near me.”
“Good. Otherwise I was going to come up with some excuse to miss the reception,” I said.
“Alana can’t miss it. She’s the maid of honor,” Ms. Hu said.
“I was joking, and I did notice that you said Alana couldn’t miss the reception, not me. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you simply misspoke,” I said.
“I didn’t,” Ms. Hu said.
“Mom, don’t be rude,” Alana repeated an earlier plea.
Ms. Hu said nothing.
“I’ll see you ladies later,” I said.
“Thanks, Poe. And good luck with your new case,” Hani said.
Had I decided to take the case, though? Foxx wanted me to. The Hu women all did. Apparently, I was going to work for Mele Akamu.
I looked around the room for Maui.
“Maui, come here boy. Let’s go outside,” I yelled.
The dog stuck his nose out from under the sofa.
“Come on, Maui. Let’s go,” I said.
He crawled out and darted toward the back door. Ava was hot on his heels.

5
The Mayor
I expected Hani and her mother to leave after an hour or so. I was wrong. They were at the house for another five hours. The first one or two of those dealt with wedding matters, but then Alana suggested that they stay for dinner. She informed everyone that I would be thrilled to grill steaks and vegetables. Then she turned to me and confirmed that they’d graciously accepted her offer, even though I was in the room to hear it for myself.
The dinner conversation renewed the debate about Mele Akamu. Ms. Hu continued to defend her, while Alana continued to point out that the woman was almost certainly involved in some crimes. There was one topic that evening that was noticeably absent, at least I noticed it, and it concerned me. I never once heard Hani mention Yuto’s name.
I joked more than once during the runup to my wedding that I was simply a prop for the ceremony since I thought it was all about Alana. I don’t mean to imply that Alana was any kind of bridezilla. She wasn’t. But there’s a reason they play the song “Here Comes the Bride” and not “Here Comes the Groom.”
I’d had numerous discussions with Alana in the past over whether or not Hani truly loved Yuto. We both knew she liked him, and we both had this theory that Hani thought Yuto was the type of man she should marry. Still, I’d never heard her mention Yuto in any of the wedding planning, and I’d been around Hani a lot since she was using a venue I owned on the other side of the island for the wedding and reception.
I thought back to my own wedding again. I didn’t go around telling everyone how excited I was to be spending my life with Alana. Of course, I felt that way. I just kept it inside of me. I’m just not the type of guy who publicly proclaims love all the time. Maybe Hani liked to keep her feelings to herself, I thought. Then I realized how stupid that was to believe. Hani never hesitated to tell someone what she thought.
The next morning, I did my customary swim in the backyard pool and a jog around the neighborhood. As I was doing my cool down, I sent Mara a text and told her that I’d take Mrs. Akamu’s case. I asked Mara if she would also request that Mrs. Akamu arrange a time for me to speak in person with her grandson, Tavii. I suggested Harry’s as a meeting location. I didn’t think Tavii would want to see me again, especially considering how our previous interactions had gone. But I also knew his grandmother had considerable sway over him.
Without giving away too many details of my past investigation, Tavii had broken the law and I had proof of it. Nevertheless, the District Attorney had decided not to press charges. It was my understanding that they came to a gentlemen’s agreement with Tavii. They would avoid the scandal of publicly charging the mayor with a crime and in return Tavii would agree not to run for reelection.
Imagine my surprise when I got a text back from Mara within the hour. She said that Tavii had agreed to my meeting and that he would see me at Harry’s at three o’clock in the afternoon. Apparently, Mele Akamu was anxious to get the investigation rolling.
After showering, I came downstairs and saw Alana sitting outside by the pool. Maui was asleep under her chair.
“Any wedding activities today?” I asked as I walked out of the house.
“We’re supposed to pick up our dresses today.”
“Cutting it kind of close, aren’t you?”
“A bit. Strange since Hani had some things planned out well in advance. I don’t know why she dragged her feet on the dresses.”
I sat on a chair beside Alana.
“How’s Hani doing? Is she nervous?”
“She doesn’t seem to be. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Foxx is invited to the party after all.”
“I forgot to tell you the same thing,” I said.
“Hani told you last night?”
“No. Foxx told me yesterday afternoon when I saw him at Harry’s. He said Yuto called him earlier in the day and invited him.”
“I guess your talk with Yuto worked then.”
“Actually, I