Page 2 of Wired Target

Themolistood tall, its snowy feathers reflecting the sunshine.The bird’s far-seeing eyes, framed by sooty black feathers like Egyptian eyeliner, gazed at the three humans with neither fear nor aggression.The nest was a simple construction of twigs and feathers; the egg itself was at least the size of a mango.

Marcus spoke softly as they walked past.“Volunteers from the local Audubon Society as well as our park service personnel cleaned up the remains after the attack.I just want to check and see if we missed anything.”

He described the scene as he and the other staffers had seen it right after the massacre.“You can view the photos back at the station when you look at our case file in more detail, but the perps came armed with weapons.As you said, Sophie, the attack was premeditated.”

They passed a few more of the giant birds, grooming each other and sunning themselves.At no time did any of them show fear or aggression toward the humans passing through their domain.

Sophie had already been predisposed to not only taking the case but taking it seriously; now that she had seen the regal birds in their native habitat, the deep burn of outrage under her sternum would provide fuel for the investigation in the days to come.

The trio did a thorough walk-through of the birds’ nesting area.Sophie took reference photos of the cameras positioned near the entrance and exit of the fenced protective zone.“Did you ascertain whether the perps came in by vehicle?”Sophie asked.“That might provide a source of clues.”

“They did not come in by car that we can tell,” Marcus said.“No permits for vehicle usage were issued the day of the attack, and the gate to the road we used was locked.”

“That’s a long hike at night, and a good distance back in the dark after the deed was accomplished,” Raveaux said as they exited the nesting area.“Maybe the killers camped somewhere close.”

“Camping isn’t permitted anywhere in the park, but you’re right.That’s a possibility.We searched extensively inside the protected zone, but not much along the trail,” Kamuela said as they approached his truck.

Raveaux raised his brows at Sophie.“What do you think?Should we hike back and look for a campsite?”

“Sounds good to me, as long as we can get some more water from you, Marcus,” Sophie said.

Kamuela popped open the side door of the vehicle to expose a flat of water bottles.“I’ll do you one better and loan you a hat.”He clapped an HPD ball cap on Sophie’s head.“Unfortunately, I can’t come with you—got a fresh homicide back at the office to follow up on.Call me if you find anything of interest.”

“Will do.”

The detective got in in his vehicle and pulled away with a wave.Once the truck was gone, Sophie and Raveaux scanned the heavy undergrowth and the beach beyond.

“Well, now we have two and a half miles of coastal beach to search.How should we go about it?”Sophie said.

“Put yourself in the mind of the perps,” Raveaux said.“They were carrying weapons.They would want to be somewhere concealed, but with easy entrance and exit in case they were confronted.”He pointed to a narrow trail leading to the beach.“If I were camping, I’d pitch my tent on the beach and conceal it in the bushes.Maybe they were drinking to get in the mood.Perhaps lit a fire on the sand.”

Sophie tugged down the brim of the HPD cap.“Let’s get started.”

2

Sophie and Raveaux made their way along the beach, searching for clues.They found several possible campsites, with disturbed sand patterns and buried fire rings, but nothing that told them anything that might be related to the bird killers.

Finally, about a mile from the beginning of the park, Sophie slid on a pair of latex gloves: she’d spotted a rusty tire iron protruding from an old fire ring.“What do you think?Seems like an odd place to discard this.”She held up the tire iron for inspection.

Raveaux frowned.“You’re right.Let’s give this area a closer look.”

They poked around, in and among thenaupakabushes,ipomoeavines, and beneath the umbrellalike branches of a beach heliotrope tree.

“I don’t see anything more.What weapons did Kamuela say the killers used on the birds?”Sophie pulled her thick hair off her neck and twisted it up under the hat.

“A blade of some kind was used—a machete they think, and some kind of club,” Raveaux said.“Your tire iron could be the club.”Hands on his hips, the Frenchman stared at the fire ring thoughtfully.“Wouldn’t you try to destroy a weapon that could tie you to the crime?”

“We’re operating on the theory that the perps were kids because the headmaster of Kama‘aina Schools is our client.”Sophie fanned herself with a bit of cardboard she’d found.“Though we couldn’t share that bit of info with Marcus Kamuela without our client’s consent.”She gazed longingly at the sea—if only she’d put her swimsuit on under her clothes that morning!“Since Dr.Ka’ula hired us and I wasn’t at the intake meeting, was there anything specific he told you that might have tied Kama‘aina students to the killing?”

“The headmaster was not forthcoming.Said he didn’t want to open that can of worms until we found out if HPD would share the case with us.Now that Detective Kamuela has allowed us access, we need to meet with our client again and get whatever he knows.”Raveaux stroked his chin.“If it was a couple of teens, they probably didn’t realize how outraged the community—even the world, when the news got ahold of the story—was going to be.”

“Let’s dig deeper into this fire ring since there’s nothing else in this area,” Sophie said.“Maybe another weapon is buried deeper, and they were hoping fires built in this spot would eventually get rid of it.”

“Sounds good.”Raveaux unbuttoned his shirt and draped it over a bush.“No sense getting charcoal all over a perfectly good garment.”

Sophie averted her eyes from Raveaux’s leanly attractive, olive-skinned body.“It’s so hot.I wish I could take my shirt off.”

“Go ahead.I won’t mind.”Raveaux dropped to his knees beside her as she explored carefully inside the fire ring with latex covered gloves.

---