Page 54 of Tiki Beach
“Well, that’s certainly enough for questioning of those involved,” she said grimly. “Did either of you recognize any of those voices?”
Keone cleared his throat. “I thought I recognized Mayor Santos, his son David, Councilman Akana . . .” He trailed off and gazed at me questioningly. “And one other. I’m not sure of the fourth voice. All male speakers, though.”
I nodded and swallowed hard, buying myself a moment to think, because I was certain I’d heard both David Santos and Kawika Pali.
But what if I was wrong?
What if it just sounded like him? The recording wasn’t the best, and the thought of falsely accusing someone who’d been attacked, who’d cared so loyally for Pearl, who might be innocent . . . I hesitated to speak his name aloud.
But if Kawika really was involved, he was still at the hospital with Pearl.
Right now.
With easy access to her, helpless in her bed.
“Kat?” Lei prompted. “You went quiet. Did you recognize someone?”
“One of them was David Santos,” I said. “That’s all I could swear to. The recording quality isn’t great.”
“I have some ideas about who’s on that recording, but David Santos is definitely our priority,” Lei replied. “I’m heading back to the station now.”
“See you soon,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
As I ended the call, Keone leaned forward. “You recognized someone, didn’t you?”
I hesitated. “I’m not sure. I need to get some air,” I said abruptly, standing up.
Keone looked at me with concern. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just . . . cramped in here. And worried about Pearl.” I grabbed my purse, trying to appear casual. “Actually, I think I’ll swing by the hospital to check on her. I’d like to get eyes on her myself.”
“Want me to come with you?” Keone asked, half rising from his chair.
“No, you stay, please,” I said quickly. “Someone needs to keep going through these records. I’ll just pop in for a quick visit and be back in an hour.”
Keone frowned. “Call me if anything seems off, okay?”
“Of course,” I promised, already heading for the door.
The hospital corridor was quieter than usual for a Sunday afternoon. I’d stopped at the gift shop downstairs, picking out an arrangement of anthuriums and orchids, hoping they’d brighten Pearl’s room. The flowers gave me a perfect cover; I was just a concerned friend making a visit. Hopefully I could drop Lei’s name and make it past the officer at her door.
As I approached the elevator, I froze. Through the glass walls of the hospital café, I spotted David Santos. The man we’d been hunting all day was calmly sitting at a table, deep in conversation with a man in light blue scrubs, whose back was to the window. They were huddled close, Santos gesturing emphatically while the medical staffer nodded.
I ducked behind a large potted palm, nearly dropping my flowers. Santos was supposed to be running, trying to flee the island—not chatting in the hospital cafeteria. I peered around the foliage for another look at the man in scrubs. I couldn’t see his face, but something about his build seemed familiar.
My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone and dialed Lei.
“Detective Texeira,” she answered crisply.
“It’s Kat,” I whispered. “I’m at Maui Memorial, and David Santos is here.”
“What?” Lei’s voice sharpened. “What are you doing at the hospital?”
“I decided to check on Pearl,” I said. “Lei, Santos is in the café talking to someone in scrubs. They look . . . intense.”
“Do not approach,” Lei ordered. “I’m ten minutes out. Stay where you are and keep eyes on him if you can do it safely. But Kat, do not engage. This man may have tried to kill Kawika—and Pearl.”
“Understood,” I said, my gaze fixed on Santos. “And Lei? I think the person he’s talking to works here. At the hospital. Where Pearl is, need I remind you. He’s wearing scrubs.”
