Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

get all territorial like that.”
“Maybe it’s born out of insecurity. He’s just starting out as a detective. I was nothing but polite to him. I didn’t do my usual pushing back out of respect to your working relationship with him.”
“When has that ever stopped you before?” she asked.
“A true statement, but in this case, I am without guilt.”
Alana paused a moment.
Then she said, “You didn’t think I was going to mention the meeting with Josh. You thought I was talking about something else.”
“Not much gets by you, does it?”
I reached into my pocket and produced the business card that Sora had given me. I handed Alana the card.
“I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t see him,” Alana said.
“Not my fault. He showed up at Harry’s to meet Ava’s father.”
“He wanted to talk to Foxx?”
“Yes, and to thank him for helping to take care of Ava. I happened to be there with Foxx discussing the Eric Ellis case. Your father insisted on telling us why he left. Check that, he explained his shame and embarrassment about his past behavior. He asked me to give you the card. I told him I couldn’t be involved.”
“But you took the card anyway.”
“Yes, I did.”
Alana stood and walked back into the kitchen where she deposited the business card into the garbage can. Then she opened the refrigerator and removed a bottle of wine.
“Would you like a glass?” she asked.
“No, thank you.”
She poured herself a glass, then put the wine bottle back into the refrigerator and returned to the sofa.
“Any more news on Hani and Yuto?” I asked.
“No, nothing. I don’t know how to interpret that other than Hani’s still trying to make up her mind.”
“Are you going to call her later?”
“Probably. I’ll let you know what she says.”
Alana stood again.
“I’m going to change out of these work clothes,” she continued.
“Sounds good. I was just about to head outside to the pool.”
“Maybe I’ll join you later.”
Alana turned and headed upstairs to the master bedroom.
“Maui, come on boy,” I called.
He appeared from under the sofa a moment later.
“Want to get in the pool?”
The dog wagged his tail and he followed me outside. I jumped in the swimming pool and pushed his raft to the edge. The dog took a flying leap and landed on the middle of the raft. His momentum carried the raft across the pool and the dog barked three times, a sure sign of his delight.
We stayed outside for at least two hours, but Alana never joined us. I assumed she was passing the time either speaking with Hani or watching television. When I finally walked inside, I didn’t see Alana in the living room or the kitchen. I walked upstairs and found her asleep on the bed. Stress does many things to the body. It can certainly leave you feeling exhausted.
I walked back downstairs and went into the kitchen. I grabbed a Negra Modelo from the refrigerator. I popped the top and opened the trash can to throw it away. The trash bag was full, and I knew I needed to empty it.
There was one thing odd, though, that I noticed. Sora’s business card should have been on top of the trash pile. It wasn’t. Alana must have retrieved it before going upstairs. I thought her actions, if I was even right about the card, spoke volumes about the turmoil inside her. I wished I could help, but I didn’t know what to say or do.

13


I Didn’t See That Coming
The next morning, I sent Mara a text and asked her to set up a meeting with Mele Akamu. Mrs. Akamu had demanded updates every few days. I figured I might as well give her one in person. It would also allow me to view her reaction when I confronted her about Eric Ellis being beaten half to death by Samson. I was upfront with Mara and told her things could get heated, but she said she still wanted to be there.
You may be wondering if Alana brought up her father in the morning. She didn’t, mainly because she didn’t get a chance to. She’d gotten up earlier than usual again and had already left for work by the time I climbed out of bed. I did something that I’m not proud of, but I try to always be honest in these tales. I opened the drawer to Alana’s nightstand and saw Sora’s business card inside, confirming my suspicions that Alana had removed it from the trash.
I completed my morning swim and jog, running an extra mile in an attempt to distract myself from my problems. It didn’t work. Mara phoned me right as I was climbing out of the shower and informed me that we had a meeting with Mele Akamu at eleven, the same time as our previous encounter.
As I’m sure you expected, I played more jazz on the drive across Maui. Sonny Rollins was the artist of choice, and I got through his songs, “St. Thomas,” “Namely You,” “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” “Blues for Philly Joe,” and “I Want to Be Happy.”
I arrived at the Akamu home about ten minutes early. Mara was already there. Anxious, were we?
“Good morning. Sonny Rollins by any chance?” she asked as she climbed out of her car.
“Good morning, Mara. How do you always know what I’m playing?”
I hopped out of my BMW and shut the door.
“I guess I listen to more music than I realized.”
“I shall make it my new mission to stump you one of these times. Anything new to report?”
“I was hoping you were going to tell me something new,” she said.
“Nothing that helps Mrs. Akamu.”
“Do you have the feeling we’re working for another guilty client?”
“How have you dealt with that in the past? You’ve been a lawyer longer than I’ve been doing this investigative thing. How do you handle it?”
“Everyone deserves the right to the best defense possible.”
Yes, it was a cliched answer and I was hoping for something a bit more helpful from Mara. But in hindsight,