Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

reason surprised me. I walked down the stairs and almost bumped into her when I rounded the corner. I’d been preoccupied with searching songs on my phone that I wanted to see if the band could play.
“Excuse me, Ms. Hu. I didn’t see you there,” I said.
“Am I that insignificant?”
“Not at all. I was caught up in something else. May I offer you a drink? The bar is open.”
“I’d love a bourbon. Jack Daniels if you have it,” Ms. Hu said.
“Of course. However, might I tempt you with a different brand I’ve been enjoying lately? It’s called 1792.”
“I’ll give it a try.”
We walked outside and I ordered two glasses of 1792 Kentucky Straight Bourbon. I handed Ms. Hu her glass and held up mine in a toast.
“To your youngest daughter and her upcoming wedding. May she have a long and wonderful marriage to Yuto.”
“Hopefully this one will go better than the last,” Ms. Hu groaned, and she took a sip of her bourbon.
I knew what she’d meant. Hani’s first engagement had ended with the groom being murdered the night before their wedding. If you’ve read my tale Wedding Day Dead, then you’ll know all the details.
“How do you like the bourbon?” I asked.
“It’s good. Where’s Alana?”
“Upstairs getting dressed.”
Ms. Hu turned from me and walked back into the house, presumably to go to Alana. So much for small talk with my mother-in-law.
“What in the world did you say to her?” Foxx asked, and he laughed.
I turned and saw him walking toward me.
“Nothing. She just jumped at the first opportunity to ditch me.”
“Consider yourself lucky. What’s that you’re drinking?” Foxx asked.
“The 1792 bourbon you introduced me to.”
“Good choice. I think I’ll get myself one.”
Foxx walked over to the bar and returned a moment later with a drink in his hand.
“Is Hani here yet?” he asked.
“Not that I know of.”
I looked through the sliding glass door and saw that several people had arrived since I’d been on the patio. Yuto and Hani had invited close to fifty people. Of course, who knew how many would actually show. On the other hand, people have a tendency to come out of the woodwork when free food and good booze are involved.
“Edgar, this all looks incredible.”
Both Foxx and I turned to see Yuto standing several feet away.
“You and Alana have really outdone yourself,” he continued.
“The big day is just a week away. You ready for it?” I asked as Yuto walked up to us.
“People keep asking me if I’m nervous. Should I be?” Yuto asked.
“I think it’s normal to be nervous, but I also don’t think it’s strange not to be,” I said.
“Do you drink bourbon, Yuto?” Foxx asked, and I almost fainted when I heard Foxx use Yuto’s real name.
Yuto said he did, and Foxx got him a drink from the bar. I’ll say this about my best friend. He was really trying to keep the peace treaty going.
“So, what’s the big surprise you have planned for Hani?” Foxx asked.
“All will be revealed in due time,” Yuto said, and he looked at his watch. “I’ll need to leave in a little while to pick it up. Will you both excuse me for a moment? I want to see if Hani’s inside.”
Yuto walked away and Foxx turned back to me.
“It’s a new car, definitely.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Foxx and I spoke for a while about the Eric Ellis murder investigation. I don’t think we planned to do that, especially at the party. The next thing I knew, the backyard was filled with partygoers. I was about to go look for Alana when she exited the house. She’d changed into a tight floral print dress that made me want to suggest that we go to the master bedroom so I could get a better look at all of the curves it showcased.
“How did that awkward guy I knew in high school end up with a chick like that?” Foxx asked.
“I’m not going to take any offense at that question.”
“That’s because you were asking it yourself.”
“That’s exactly right.”
I walked over to the bar and ordered Alana a white wine since I knew that’s what she’d want. I carried the wine to Alana, who’d just been joined by Hani. Hani was wearing a short white dress that was even tighter than her sister’s outfit. Were the two women competing for hottest lady at the party? Apparently.
“Have you seen Yuto?” Hani asked me.
“No, but he told me a little while ago that he needed to leave to pick up your surprise,” I said.
“Really? Huh, I guess I was wrong. I was so sure it was a trip somewhere,” Hani said.
“Me too,” Alana said.
“He told you, didn’t he?” Hani asked me.
“No, nothing.”
“Come on, Poe. We know you guys talk to each other,” Hani said.
“Nope. Foxx asked Yuto earlier tonight and he wouldn’t budge,” I said.
“Foxx is here? I didn’t see him,” Hani said.
“Your fiancé invited him. You remember, don’t you?” Alana asked.
“Yes, I remember. But I don’t know how I missed the big oaf,” Hani said.
“Hani, that’s rude,” Alana said.
“It’s true,” Hani said.
“That’s the last thing Foxx is,” Alana said.
“If you say so,” Hani said, and she looked around the yard. “There’s Foxx and look who he’s with.”
I turned and saw Foxx speaking with Ms. Hu by the bar.
“Oh Lord, I better go save him,” I said.
“You? Save him from my mother? I’d love to see that,” Hani said.
I walked over to the bar and saw a full glass of bourbon in Ms. Hu’s hand. Was that her second, third, or fourth? I wondered.
“So, Mr. Foxx, how long do you intend to stay?” Ms. Hu asked, and there was a definite slur to her voice.
I didn’t think she was going to stumble and fall into the pool, but she was on her way.
“At the party?” Foxx asked.
“What else would I be talking about?”
“Long enough to see what this surprise is,” Foxx said.
“Well, here’s what’s not a surprise. You blew it,” Ms. Hu said.
“I’m sure I’m going to regret asking this, but how