Double Cross

Ryan nodded. “The forensic team just showed up.”

“Good.” Kiki moved closer to her grandmother. “I’m sure Nik is done questioning you. You can leave now.”

He blinked at her blatant attempt to get rid of him. “Actually, I’m blocked in.”

Crud. Kiki tapped her foot. How long would it take her father to have a background check run on the man?

“Won’t you stay for dinner?” Lana asked, always the polite hostess.

Kiki shook her head. “I’m sure Mr. McClain would like to clean up. I know I would.”

Tutu laughed. “I’ve grown used to the smell.”

Ryan smiled. “Dinner would be great, but perhaps another time.”

“Tomorrow?” Tutu pressed.

“Works for me,” Ryan answered. “But I really should see if I can get back to the condo and clean up.”

“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Kiki stated, and preceded him out the door.

Ryan suppressed a grin. She really was something, this Hawaiian beauty. Her long tan legs carried her with a swift, economical stride. Everything about her was tightly contained, but the woman clearly had fire in her blood. And obviously even a bomber couldn’t intimidate her.

He frowned, not liking that someone had committed such a dangerous act. Kiki and her grandmother could really have been hurt had they been closer to the truck.

Kiki flipped her dark braid over her shoulder, the thick end nearly clobbering him in the face. She’d probably hoped it would. For some reason she didn’t like him.

Having a woman respond so negatively was an odd experience for him when he poured on extra charm. For as long as he could remember, females flocked to him with as little encouragement as a smile.

But not Kiki Brill.

No, from the moment she’d laid eyes on him last May she’d bristled like a porcupine caught in the glare of headlights.

Today was no different. When she scrambled away after the blast, her gold-speckled eyes had widened with a mixture of disbelief and something else that he’d been unable to identify. And then her gaze had turned cold and the lines around her lush red lips had tightened.

From the moment she’d opened her mouth, she’d made it clear he wasn’t welcome, which only fueled his desire to breach her wall of resistance.

Because with enough charm and persistence, he would get his way. He would not fail. Failing wasn’t something he did graciously. Or often.

He wanted to close the deal and acquire the second half of his bonus so he could move on to other projects. The delay in convincing Kiki and Lana to sell stressed Ryan’s game plan. Not something he took lightly.

From his vantage point behind Kiki, he noted the regal manner with which she walked down the porch, so straight and tall, as if ready to conquer the world, and it called to something deep in Ryan.

Pano and Nik stopped talking as Kiki and Ryan approached.

Nik’s dark, assessing gaze reminded Ryan of his brother Brody, also a law enforcement man. Ryan supposed it was a trick of the trade, watching and analyzing every person. Brody was good at the law thing. Nik probably was, too.

But Ryan wasn’t sure what to make of Pano, who wore a T-shirt with a restaurant logo emblazoned across the back and red board shorts that fell just above his knees. He looked very much like the stereotypical Polynesian man.

Pano was huge in height and mass, with broad features and jet-black eyes and hair. Kiki’s curvy statuesque build, crowned by her shiny black-brown hair, gold-specked brown eyes and symmetrical features made it seem as if they weren’t from the same gene pool.

And looking at Lana Kaapa, who had joined them outside, he could see that she had different features than either of her grandchildren. Lana’s rounded face, kind brown eyes and diminutive stature made Ryan wonder about the two cousins’ parents.

Granted, not all relatives resembled each other. Ryan and his sister, Megan, favored their mother’s side of the family, except for Ryan’s dark eyes. Only his sister, out of the four siblings, had been blessed with the Kelley blues. Ryan’s older brothers, Brody and Patrick, both resembled their father in looks, but also their grandfather Connor McClain.

“Officer, do you need anything else from me?” Ryan asked.

“No, you’re good to go. Just don’t leave the island,” Nik responded.

Pano tipped his chin in Ryan’s direction. “Tomorrow I can take you out to Makena Beach. Good surfing there.”

“Makena Beach is fine.” Ryan turned to Lana. “I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve had today. If there is anything I can do, let me know.”

She patted his arm. “We’ll see you for dinner tomorrow.”

He met Kiki’s smoldering gaze. Whether she liked it or not, Ryan was going to make this sale go through.

One way or another.

Anger simmered low in Kiki’s gut as she watched Ryan drive his rented Mustang out of sight. He seemed to have her Tutu wrapped around his little finger. He wouldn’t be so successful with Kiki.

Why hadn’t her father called back? It would ease her mind if she could confirm Ryan’s true identity. Then all she’d have to worry about was his smooth-talking sales pitch and not whether he was going to try to hurt her to get back at her grandfather.

Ha! As if her grandfather would even bat an eye if anything were to happen to Kiki or her mother. The judge hadn’t been coy in making his feelings known over the years. The Brills had never forgiven or forgotten that their son Hunter had turned his back on the debutante they’d picked out for him.

Even to this day, Sophia Brill, Hunter’s mother, kept tabs on the woman who should have been her daughter-in-law. Kiki didn’t know how her mother put up with the Brill family.

Shaking off the unanswerable question, Kiki turned to Nik. “My father will be calling you about…something else.” She didn’t want to reveal anything more in front of Ryan.

Interest gleamed in Nik’s gaze. “I’ll look forward to hearing from him.”

Glad he didn’t press, she asked, “You’ll let us know if you find out who did this?”

He nodded. “Yes, as soon as I know, I’ll let you know.”

“Good.” She surveyed the mess. Not much to be done other than pick up the metal and sweep the paths and porch. The fertilizer wasn’t going to hurt anything.

The phone rang. Kiki sprinted back inside.

“Hello?”

“It’s me.” Hunter said. “This McClain fellow is who he says.”

Relief spread through her. At least Ryan wouldn’t be trying to kill her. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Are you sure you won’t come home?”

Kiki closed her eyes. She missed her mother and father, but not the stress of not being good enough for the rest of the Brills. “Why don’t you and Mom come here?”

“You know we can’t. The judge needs me here.”

“Of course.” Kiki tried not to be bitter, but for her whole life, everything always revolved around the judge and what he needed. “Tell Mom I love her.”

“I will, dear. I’m also going to fax a photo of Tolar to the local police there and will send one to your e-mail. Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Of course. Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to me.”

“I love you, Kiki.” Hunter’s voice softened.

Kiki smiled. “I love you, too, Daddy.”

After they hung up, Kiki went to the front window of the house. Her gaze landed briefly on her island family as they still talked in the front yard, then her gaze moved on to where the forensic people were doing whatever they did at a crime scene.

A crime scene. Here on the farm.

The idea was so surreal, yet someone had blown up the fertilizer truck. Why? What could anyone possibly gain by doing such a thing?

She shook her head at the futileness of the question. Nik would uncover the truth. She’d trust him to do that.

She focused her gaze on the lush green fields of flowers—the striking bird-of-paradise, the rich reds of the ruellias and the pink ginger which she loved so much—that extended all the way to the rugged cliffs that dropped to a beautiful cove below. The Pacific Ocean’s soothing song could be heard crashing against the shore. A slight trade wind sent the colorful blossoms dancing in a bright display of pinks, reds and whites. A sight that never failed to bring a smile to Kiki’s heart.

The years of hard work and love that each flower represented filled Kiki with a fierce determination. This farm was her heritage, her birthright, and she would do anything to protect it, no matter how much money was offered. She couldn’t allow anyone to stand in her way.

Especially, not Ryan McClain.

The next morning, Ryan sat in a tall metal chair on the small lanai of his rented condo, contemplating his view of Keawakapu’s sandy beach. The churning surf beyond was breathtaking in the morning light. The happy sounds of children already enjoying the day drifted on the slight trade winds that didn’t cool the already humid temperatures.

Closer in, the lush grassy lawn which stretched from the back entry of the building to meet the sandy beach was filling with people claiming their lawn chairs with towels and other fun-in-the sun paraphernalia. The oval-shaped pool with its beautiful rock waterfall looked inviting as people who preferred the less harsh water of the pool to the ocean began splashing around.

Last night before turning in for the night, Ryan had taken a swim in the pool and found the non-chlorinated, nonsalty water very refreshing. He could get used to this lifestyle. Back home in Boston, the leaves would be turning and the air temperature falling.

He didn’t miss the cold. But since he had no intention of staying in Hawaii until it was summer again in Boston, he’d just as soon take advantage of the warmth of the tropical island now.

A knock at the condo door brought him to his water-sandal-clad feet. He’d dressed in board shorts and a body-hugging shirt called a rashguard to keep both the sun and the rough sand from doing damage to his very underexposed skin. He tugged at the high collar as he approached the door.

Expecting to see Pano, he was pleasantly surprised to open the door and find Kiki on his doorstep, looking very lovely in her bright pink shorts, matching tank top and flip-flops with little white daisys attached to the straps. Once again her dark hair was gathered in a braid falling over one shoulder.

He grinned. “Hi. This is unexpected.” But nice.

She gave him a stiff smile. “Pano called and asked if I’d bring you out. He had to work on the other side of the island early this morning and will meet us there.”

“Great.” Leaving the door open, he went to gather his belongings, including a small cooler filled with water bottles and snacks he’d bought at the grocery store last night.

“You’re prepared,” Kiki said as he joined her in the hallway.

He shrugged. “Always. Growing up, I never knew what my brothers were going to throw at me, so being prepared became a habit.”

They rode the elevator in silence, but Ryan couldn’t help but notice in the mirrored reflection of the walls how long and shapely Kiki’s legs were, or how defined the muscles in her arms were. She not only had a strong personality, but she was physically fit. He liked that about her.

Once outside the building, Kiki led him to a red Volkswagen Rabbit with the top down. Kiki climbed behind the wheel and put on a pair of sunglasses. Putting the cooler on the backseat next to another small cooler, Ryan climbed into the passenger seat. “You came prepared, as well.”

One side of her mouth quirked up. “Always.”

Ryan laughed and settled back to enjoy the ride. Kiki maneuvered the car through the Saturday-morning traffic of Kihei and soon they were buzzing along the Piilani Highway and past neighborhoods filled with older homes, past newer developments and stretches of undeveloped parcels of land dotted with swaying palms and other tropical flora. They seemed to be heading away from the coast and up a small incline.

“What does Pano do that he’d have to work so early?”

“He works for the state on a construction crew for the roads. Everyone complains when the work is done during high-traffic times.”

“Ah. Makes sense.”

The terrain shifted as they headed back toward the coast. More condominium complexes with manicured lawns dotted one side of the road while the other side had big, fancy hotels with pristine landscaping. Ryan caught brief glimpses of the ocean beyond. Jogging paths and bicycle lanes were full of people.

The condos eventually gave way to a sprawling golf course and an upscale-looking shopping center. A place he would have to visit before returning home.

Then the road curved and narrowed to a more residential area. They passed makeshift roadside restaurants and a woman sitting under an umbrella with a large display of jewelry for sale.

Ryan’s gaze took in the rooflines of the houses along the ocean side of the road behind tall brick walls and formidable hedges. “These are some big homes.”

“Most are second homes for mainlanders with money to burn,” she said with just the slightest trace of bitterness.

Did most islanders feel as though they’d been invaded by the wealthy mainlanders?

“You know, if you sell the land, you and Tutu could afford a house like one of these, right on the beach,” he stated, not sure Kiki would be the type to want to live in such an opulent place. She seemed quite content in the little run-down home of her ancestors.

“What will it hurt for you and your grandmother to at least see the newest offer?” And accept it, he hoped.

Her shoulders tensed. “Nothing, I guess. But don’t get your hopes up.”

“Why is the farm so important to you?”

She glanced at him, her eyes imploring him to understand. “It’s home for me.”

“I thought you grew up in Pennsylvania?”

“I did. But the mainland has never felt like home.”

“There are more…comfortable places to live on the island.”

The dark sunglasses obscured her eyes, but the quirk of her mouth showed her disdain. “You don’t get it. You’re a mainlander. The islands are more than just pretty beaches.”

“But business is business whether in Boston, Philadelphia or Hawaii. Progress can’t be stopped. And quality of life has to be a factor in the decision process.”

She blew out a frustrated breath. “I can turn the farm around. I just need time.”

“Time isn’t your friend here, Kiki. The investors are getting anxious. If they can’t get what they want here, they’ll move on and the offer will be rescinded.”

Her chin jutted out in a stubborn gesture that reminded him of his sister when she’d set her mind to something. “Then that’s just too bad.”

There was no point in arguing with her at this point. Lana Kaapa would be the deciding factor. He’d have to wait until she looked at the proposal before he really got down to the business of convincing the women of Kaapa Flower Farm to sell.

And, yes, he would convince them to sell. He was known for closing the deal—that was why Horatio Lewis had hired him. Ryan would do what it took to make the sale go through; his reputation was on the line.

“Will you at least look at the offer?”

For a moment he didn’t think she’d answer. Finally she said, “Yes.”

“Thank you.”

Her only response was a tightening of her lips. Ryan decided not to push right now. He had to gain her trust before he pressed her to give in to his way of thinking.

The road narrowed even more and then Kiki turned on to a dirt road. The convertible bounced along until Ryan thought his teeth would rattle out of his mouth. Kiki brought the car to a halt next to Pano’s yellow Jeep. After the cloud of dust cleared, Ryan noted there were several he-man type vehicles parked in the makeshift parking lot.

He and Kiki made their way through tall grass and swaying palms to a wide expanse of white sandy beach and blue-green waves. Overhead, white puffy clouds formed interesting shapes in the stunning blue sky.

Kiki kicked off her shoes and left them where they landed, heading toward a group of six people clustered on the beach. Ryan left his sandals on, the soft sand sinking with each step as he followed Kiki.

“Hey, cousin, thanks for picking up the Haole,” Pano called as they approached. He wore a short-sleeved, knee-length body-hugging yellow wet suit. It made a statement, like his Jeep.

Two of the men and one of the women wore the same sort of neoprene gear, only in more subdued black or blue. Ryan shook hands with Pano, his girlfriend, Carol, and the others as Pano introduced his coworkers and their girlfriends.

Ryan was careful to keep his eye contact, which could be mistaken as a sign of aggression, to a minimum so as not to breach the cultural barrier. He didn’t want any trouble with these men or the women, who giggled as they were introduced.

Pano picked up a black wet suit from a pile of towels resting on a boulder. “Here.” He held it out to Ryan. “You’ll need to wear this.”

“Okay.” Ryan set his belongings down and took the suit. Conscious of all eyes watching him, he stepped into the clinging, stiff material.

Pano clapped him on the back as some of the others, ready to surf, headed to the water. “Come on, haumana. Let’s rock and roll.”

“I’m ready. What’s haumana?” He hoped it didn’t mean shark bait.

Pano grinned, his white, even teeth gleaming in the warm sunlight. “Student.”

Ryan saluted Kiki before she turned away to talk with the two women who’d not gone in the water. Ryan jogged down to the water’s edge where the surf turned over with a tremendous amount of force.

He hoped he didn’t drown, or worse yet, make a fool of himself in front of Kiki. She already had held him in enough disdain without adding some embarrassing mishap to his credit.

He was going to drown.

It was all Kiki could do not to run into the water and grab Ryan by the back of his wet suit and drag his sorry hide out of the water.

Why hadn’t he said he wasn’t a strong swimmer?

She winced as the surf rolled him over and pounded him into the sand. He gamely wobbled back to his feet, listened intently to Pano’s instructions and headed back out.

The man really had a determined spirit about him that Kiki admired. And feared. If he put this much energy and tenacity into trying to convince her and Tutu to sell, Kiki wasn’t sure he wouldn’t wear her down.

But she had to stay strong. Her future depended on it.

On the blanket next to Kiki, Ginger Tao yelled as she posed her bikini-clad body to advantage, “Good job, Ryan. Keep at it, you’ll get it.”

Kiki shot Ginger a sidelong glance and resisted the urge to clamp a hand over Ginger’s mouth to stop her encouragement. Ryan needed to get out of the water before he got hurt, not be egged on to keep beating himself up in the waves.

Ginger shielded her eyes with a hand over her brow. “He’s single, right?”

“I don’t know,” Kiki answered, willing the spurt of…of something…that she didn’t want to feel to die a quick death.

“I hope he is,” remarked Carol Gagtan as she lifted her thick brown hair off her neck.

Kiki snorted. “What about Pano?”

Carol shrugged, clearly not as committed to Kiki’s cousin as Pano thought. “Do either of you have a scrunchie?”

“In my car,” Kiki said, and rose. “I’ll go grab one for you.”

It beat watching Ryan torture himself in the surf. She personally had never understood the allure of bodysurfing. Board surfing, yeah. It was a rush. That she liked. “Be back in a second.”

When she reached her car, she went to the passenger side to open the glove box where she kept extra hair bands. A white envelope lay on the driver’s seat. What was this?

There was no writing on the outside. She flipped the envelope over. It hadn’t been sealed. Curious, she lifted the flap. A folded sheet of paper was inside. Using her fingernails, she pulled the paper out and unfolded it.

She blinked in surprise. In letters cut from what looked like a newspaper or magazine was a message.

You sell farm or you regret.

Kiki sucked in a sharp breath and jerked her gaze up to scan the parking area. There were no new cars parked in the lot. No one visibly lurked around.

Someone must have followed her here and waited until she’d gone to the beach to leave the note. Unless…unless Ryan left the envelope on the seat when he got out and was going to pretend the threat was from someone else.

She dismissed the idea. That didn’t feel right. He might want her to sell the farm but he wasn’t a criminal. She couldn’t see him stooping so low now. He seemed more straightforward and honest.

Then who?

The same person who blew up the truck?

Angry at the note, the note writer and herself for being spooked, she grabbed a scrunchie out of the glove box, shoved the note among the other hair bands and slammed the compartment closed.

She’d figure out what to do about the note later. Right now she needed to go home and make sure nothing bad happened.

Apprehension scraped along her nerves. She shivered even as the sun beat down on her shoulders with enough heat to redden her brown skin.

Was Tutu in danger?

THREE

Ryan come up for air after being smashed into the ground for the umpteenth time in the last hour and noticed a certain tall beauty missing. He immediately headed for dry land and refused to look at the reason for his concern…no, make that curiosity.

He accepted the towel Ginger held out with a smile. “Thanks. Where’s Kiki?”

“She went to get me a scrunchie,” replied Carol, her dark eyes assessing him as she gathered her thick hair in her hand and lifted the mass up off her shoulders, exposing the long brown-skinned column of her throat in a practiced move.

“She’s not true Hawaiian, you know,” Ginger remarked.

Ryan’s smile tightened in annoyance. He didn’t like the way the woman made Kiki’s mixed heritage sound second-rate. “Beats not being Hawaiian at all.”

“You like Kiki?” Carol asked, her gaze speculative.

Hmm. Good question.

He’d certainly enjoyed verbally sparring with her since he’d first contacted her for his client last spring. He appreciated her loyalty and dedication to her grandmother and the family business that produced some beautiful product. “Sure.”

He liked her. To his surprise, a lot. But his feelings for Kiki had nothing to do with his purpose for being on Maui.

The smirk on Carol’s face made the hair on the back of his neck rise. He could feel Kiki behind him.

Prepared for some smart remark, he put his most lethally charming smile in place and turned around, but one look at Kiki’s tense face killed the smile.

She was upset and he instinctively doubted her distress had anything to do with overhearing Carol’s question or his answer.

He stepped closer and took her hands. “What’s wrong?”

For a moment indecision crossed her face, then she pulled her hands away from him. “Nothing.”

Her denial didn’t ring true. “Something.”

She slipped a red fabric elastic band from around her wrist and handed it to Carol. To Ryan she said, “Pano can return you to your condo.”

Taken aback, he frowned. “You’re leaving?” He searched her face. What was she thinking now?

She turned away to gather her things.

No way was he letting this opportunity to build trust between them slip through his hands. “I’m coming with you.”

Keeping her back to him she said, “No need.”

But he did need to. He needed to keep the lines of communication open between them. He wanted to.

“Yes, there is. I’m done for the day,” he replied, unzipping the wet suit, which clung to him like a second skin and peeled the thing off.

“See you two later. I’m going to go see if the boys are ready for lunch,” Ginger said, and ran off toward the water.

With a sly smile, Carol followed Ginger, leaving Ryan alone with a quiet Kiki.