Poe's First Law: A Murder on Maui Mystery

I didn’t think he’d turn on her for a second, but I also thought I might have a chance at convincing him that I could best serve him and his boss if he gave me more information. What is that I hear? Laughter coming from you? Don’t worry. I don’t blame you one bit.
The weather was still quite nice, and I enjoyed listening to more music from Dave Brubeck. After arriving at the jail, I was escorted to the visitor area. I was already seated at the table when a guard brought Samson out. I studied him as he approached. He didn’t express any sign of surprise when we locked eyes. Was that a good sign? I didn’t know.
“Hello, Samson. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine,” he said, and he sat on the other side of the table from me. “Have you seen Mrs. Akamu today?”
“No, are you worried about her?”
“She can handle herself, but it seems strange not being able to serve her.”
“How long have you worked for Mrs. Akamu?”
“Maybe fifty years or so.”
“How is that possible?”
“Her father hired me to take care of her. She was just a little girl. I wasn’t much older.”
“Did her father start the business?” I asked.
“He did. Mrs. Akamu took it to new heights.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“It was no secret that he wanted a son to take over for him one day. He and his wife only had one child, though. You have to remember that this was many years ago. Women were not expected to be able to do the work of a man. Mrs. Akamu proved him wrong.”
“Just curious. Did her father ever acknowledge that?”
“I think he did in his own way.”
“How many children did Mrs. Akamu have?”
“She had one son. He and his wife died several years ago in a car accident.”
“Was Tavii their only child?” I asked.
“He was.”
“I’m sure you can guess why I’m here. Things aren’t going well for my investigation.”
“You’re referring to the eyewitness, I assume.”
“Your attorney told you about that?”
“No, Mrs. Akamu got word to me earlier today.”
Samson had been right. She could handle herself.
“She also told me who the eyewitness is.”
“What do you think about that?” I asked.
“It’s impossible for her to have seen it since it didn’t happen.”
“What do you know about Oleen’s relationship with Tavii?”
“It’s over as far as I know.”
“What’s the reason?”
“She discovered his affairs. Perhaps I should clarify that. She finally decided that she’d had enough of them. Tavii always assumed that he had her fooled. He didn’t,” Samson said.
“Did she ever tell you that?”
“She didn’t have to. It was obvious.”
“Did Mrs. Akamu know about her grandson’s affairs?” I asked.
“She knew and it bothered her. She would never have accepted that from her husband, not that she ever had reason to worry. He worshipped her. He never would have strayed.”
“Do you think Oleen is saying she saw the murder to get back at the Akamu family?”
“Yes, and it’s a brilliant plan.”
“What makes it brilliant?” I asked.
“She could have accused Tavii of killing Eric, but she didn’t. She went after Mrs. Akamu because she’s the more dangerous adversary. With Mrs. Akamu locked up, the business is unprotected. I know you have a basic understanding of Tavii’s skills. He’s not up to the task.”
“So, the company fails under Tavii’s leadership and he loses everything.”
“He’s already lost his political career through his own recklessness. There will be nothing left for him.”
“And Oleen? What does she get?”
“That’s the one part of this that I haven’t figured out. Oleen doesn’t have her own money. She and Tavii have relied on Mrs. Akamu to essentially run their lives. She will lose everything too,” he said.
“Tell me, Samson, who do you think killed Eric Ellis? Was it Lee Walters? That’s who Tavii pointed me to.”
“Lee offered to kill Eric for Mrs. Akamu. I’m sure he didn’t tell you that.”
“Why would he make that kind of offer? I thought they were best friends,” I said.
“They were, but Lee felt betrayed by Eric. He told Mrs. Akamu that he would kill Eric for her if she let him back in. She refused.”
“Do you know why?” I asked.
“She liked Eric, maybe even loved him like a son. I doubt there was anything Eric could have done that would have made her order his death.”
“What about you? Did you feel the same way about him?”
“I only have one job and it’s the one I was hired for fifty years ago. Protect Mele Akamu. I would have killed Eric had he posed a real threat to her. He didn’t.”
“I thought he knew intimate details of her business,” I said.
“There are many layers to it. Eric only saw what she was comfortable with him seeing, nothing more.”
“Did Mrs. Akamu hire me to help keep her from being convicted or because she really wants to know who killed a man she once saw as a son?”
Samson said nothing, which I suspected was an answer on its own. Mele Akamu’s plan was straightforward, yet I’d only seen parts of it. I would deliver her the name, if possible, and she would send Samson before the police ever had a chance to arrest the killer.
“Mrs. Akamu has people of her own who can do what I’m doing, but she doesn’t trust them. That’s why she hired me. She thinks this is an inside job, doesn’t she?” I asked.
“She doesn’t know, but it’s a possibility. I was looking on my own years ago when Eric disappeared. I didn’t find anything.”
“Did she have you look at Tavii?”
“She would never ask that of me,” Samson said.
“But you looked anyway, didn’t you?”
“I did. I didn’t think he murdered Eric, but now I’m not so sure. Oleen’s accusations have changed my mind somewhat.”
“Because if Tavii did murder Eric, then she might have known about it.”
“It’s possible. Oleen is far more observant than Tavii realizes. The man is a fool who somehow thinks he’s smarter than everyone else in the room.”
“What about Stan Cross, the man who had the argument with Eric the same