Page 72 of Deadly Sacrifice

Jeff Brian added, “And it’s a good thing too, because an‘apapane,one of Maui’s endangered birds, has been spotted in the Valley. People are hoping it’s a sign the birds are developing antibodies against the avian malaria that’s been knocking them out.”

“So instead of yet another Richie Rich resort, someday we’ll have a bigger, beautiful park in Iao that everyone can enjoy, filled with restored Hawaiianhales,kalopatches, and native birds,” Katie said.

“I like that vision,” Lei said. “Let’s toast to it.”

And they did. Conversation continued, flowing easily, swept along on tides of laughter.

Lei gazed with affection at the faces surrounding her.

There was a new force of nature in their lives: Katie. Independent, full of life, self-assured. Relentless in the pursuit of truth. An advocate for victims. Commendations raining down often enough to smother the inevitable reprimands.

Katie would catch more bad guys and save more lives. She’d experience love and heartache, and eventually find the right life partner—if she hadn’t already. They’d share laughter and intimacy, maybe start a family.

Just then a falling star streaked brilliantly across the night sky above, bringing conversation to a halt.

“Ooh! Quick, everybody, make a wish!” Katie exclaimed.

Lei smiled. Yes, she’d make a wish. A wish for life to be lived with purpose and passion, for safety to enfold their friends and families, for aloha to bring peace to their beloved islands.

A woman could dream.

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