Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

clients?” I asked.
Hani got this nervous look on her face.
“They haven’t gotten here yet?”
“They left about ten minutes ago.”
“Thank God, I hate dealing with that woman.”
“Oh, so you willingly threw me to the wolves?”
“Poe, you deal with murderers all the time. I figured you could handle a grumpy wedding planner. Besides, I’m just not in the mood. Did they book the place?” Hani asked.
“That’s a big, fat no. The wedding planner said they could do better than our place.”
“She really said that?”
“Yep.”
“Well, she can go…”
Yes, I trailed off the words to save you from hearing what my sweet sister-in-law said. But I’m sure you can guess what it was.
“If you didn’t come to see the couple, then why are you here?” I asked.
“I need a fresh perspective, one that doesn’t belong to my mother or sister.”
“I assume this is about your own wedding.”
“Partly.”
“Then the other part has to be your father.”
“You have to promise me that what I’m about to say goes no further than this room. You can’t even tell Alana.”
“Come on, Hani. You can’t ask that of me. I don’t want to lie to Alana.”
“You don’t have to lie to her. Just don’t mention anything.”
I know I’ve posed this philosophical question before, but is an omission of a fact also a lie?
“What is it?” I asked.
“Not until you promise me.”
“Look, I already know what it is, so let’s just start talking about it.”
“You can’t possibly know.”
“You went and saw your father,” I said.
Hani looked at me as if I’d just pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat.
“How did you know? Did he call you?”
“I guessed because you specifically said a moment ago that you wanted a perspective that didn’t involve a Hu woman. Then you asked me to promise not to tell them. What else was it going to be?”
“Why do you always have to be such a know-it-all?”
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to be.”
Hani said nothing.
“Well, are you going to tell me the details?” I asked.
“I saw him this morning.”
“What made you change your mind?”
“Yuto texted me my father’s phone number the day after the party. I called my father late last night. We met at the Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali.”
It was a crowded place with lots of people so Hani could easily walk away. Had she been worried her father would do something? I didn’t know and I didn’t ask.
“How did things go?”
“Fine.”
“That’s it? Just fine?”
“He apologized for staying away for so long. He explained to me why he didn’t come back sooner. I don’t know, Poe. I don’t think there’s anything he could have said that would make up for what he did.”
“Probably not. Are you going to see him again?” I asked.
“He wants to meet Ava.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure. There’s a part of me that wants Ava to meet her grandfather, but I know it would hurt my mother. She might not ever forgive me.”
I didn’t think Hani was wrong in that assessment.
“Maybe it’s too soon to do that. Perhaps you should work up to it,” I suggested.
“I don’t know if I’m going to even see him again.”
“Do you want to see him again?” I asked.
“That’s the problem. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I do think I want to see him again, but I’m scared it will destroy my relationship with Mom and Alana.”
“I can’t speak for your mother, but I feel pretty confident that I know how Alana would react.”
“Yeah, she’d be furious,” Hani said.
“I don’t agree. I think she’d understand.”
“Does Alana want to see him too?”
“I don’t know. She said she doesn’t, but that might change.”
“Is that all she’s said?”
“Pretty much. She’s avoiding the topic, which I understand. I’ve tried not to press it.”
Hani said nothing.
“You’re also feeling guilty about Yuto, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Why would I feel guilty about him? He’s the one that pulled this stunt, not me.”
“Yes, but you also know that he had the best of intentions.”
“I thought you were on my side.”
“I am. I’ve never said this before, but I think of you as my younger sister. I’m always going to look out for you.”
“But you just said I feel guilty. You must blame me for something,” Hani said.
“No, but Yuto told me that you expressed to him more than once that you wished your father could walk you down the aisle. He was trying to make you happy. Yes, he shouldn’t have handled things the way he did, but he did his best.”
Hani looked around our wedding space.
“I’m supposed to get married here in just a few days.”
“Does that mean you’re still going through with it?” I asked.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“When was the last time you spoke with Yuto?”
“At the party.”
“You should call him. It’s not fair to keep him in the dark. Talk things out. I’m sure it will help.”
“I don’t know what to do,” she said.
“Do you want to marry Yuto? It’s really that simple.”
“But it’s not. We’re talking about doing something that’s supposed to last the rest of our lives. How can I go into something like that when I’m still angry with him?”
“Then postpone the wedding. Tell him you need more time to think things through,” I said.
“What about the guests?”
“Who cares about them?”
“My father said he met with you and Foxx at Harry’s. He actually said he liked Foxx. Can you believe that?”
“Well, that’s another giant mark against him in your book, isn’t it?” I asked, and I laughed.
“That’s not helping.”
“It’s not such a bad thing, Hani. Better that at least one of Ava’s grandparents likes her father. I don’t have to tell you how important it is that you guys at least try to get along. Ava’s relationship with Foxx is going to help dictate her relationship with every guy she meets. He’s her example of how a man is supposed to be.”
“God help her.”
“I know you don’t really mean that. You know she’s the most important person in the world to him. You’ve seen how they act around each other.”
“Yeah, he’s not