Page 54 of Wired Justice

Jake knocked, and both he and Sophie held up their Security Solutions IDs for the woman to see when she arrived to look at them through a screen door. “We’re here to talk to you about your sighting of Julie Weathersby.”

The middle-aged Filipina woman wore a purple velour sweat suit, a ton of gold jewelry, and house slippers. Her quizzical look cleared up, and she opened the door. “Please, come in.”

The dog, a fuzzy, indeterminate breed, sniffed around their legs as Jake followed the woman’s square-hipped figure into the house. She gestured to a dining room table, and they took vinyl-covered chairs and sat. A sharp tang of vinegar flavored the air. Sophie pointed to a cutting board, covered with green mangoes in various stages of disembowelment. “Are you making pickled mango?”

Mandig nodded. “I am. Every year the tree in back drops more mango than I can give away, so I harvest early. I always leave some of them to mature, but pickled mango makes a good Christmas gift. Let me get you some tea.”

The two women chatted about the making of strange foods as Jake assessed the modest kitchen, not upgraded since it was built in the 1970s, if the avocado-colored appliances and fake brick linoleum were anything to go by. Mandig brought Jake a cup of hot tea. He smiled and sipped it, to be polite.

Surprisingly fragrant and sweet, the tea was delicious. Jake slurped and finished it, and finally, during a lull in the conversation, he addressed Mandig where she stood at the cutting board, peeling green mangoes.

“Tell us about seeing Julie Weathersby.”

“Oh, so unexpected. I never know what to think.” The woman’s voice had a lilt of pidgin. “I work at Volcanoes Park gift shop. I was heading home from work, and I saw this woman staggering down the road. She waving her arms. She was wearing only bra and panty. I thought she was drunk. I admit, I was small-kine judgmental.” The knife she was using to cut the mangoes whacked into the cutting board. “I wish I had stopped, tried to help her. Seeing her like that, I just thought she . . . I don’t know what I thought.”

“Was there anyone chasing her, or with her?” Sophie asked sharply.

“No. She was alone. She maybe was trying to get help. I don’t know.” Mandig’s voice had gone low.

“We know Julie was robbed and abandoned on the side of a road. We found her possessions and clothes and they are at the Hilo Police Station. This is the first confirmation we’ve had that she’s alive,” Jake said, keeping his tone warm and complimentary. “Very important news. Thank you for coming forward. Can you identify the area where you saw her?”

“I did notice it because it was so funny-kine to see someone out in that area, no clothes, li’dat. She was walking toward Hilo on the side of the road. I remember thinking that if I had to call anyone for her I should know where she was. So I noticed the mile marker, but I never had no bars, so I never called the cops.” She named the same road the Weathersby girl had been abandoned on.

Jake and Sophie exchanged a quick look and Jake took down the mile marker number and the street name. He thanked Mandig, and they stood up and headed for the door. Mandig held up a jar of mango. “You like?”

“Thanks.” Jake took the jar. “You’ve been very helpful.”

Sophie was right behind him. She touched Mandig’s arm. “I hope you will stop and do the right thing in the future if you see an almost naked woman waving for help. She was probably trying to escape her attackers and running for her life.”

Mandig ducked her head and crossed herself in a very Catholic gesture. “I pray that girl is safe and that God forgives me for driving past her.”

“Well, at least you called to report it. That’s something.” Sophie pushed out ahead of Jake, and let the screen door bang behind her. The woman’s soft face crumpled and her chin wobbled.

That was his girl Sophie. Never one to varnish the truth or coddle anyone’s feelings. Jake smiled at Mandig. “Thanks for the mango. I’m sure it’s delicious.” He restrained himself from saying anything further. Nothing would help. “And thank you for contacting us.” He turned and followed Sophie out to the Jeep.

---