Page 45 of Tiki Beach
“This is absurd,” the attorney interjected. “A fishing expedition.”
“I’m simply exploring motives that might tie the mayor, or his son, who is, coincidentally, on the planning commission, to the attack on Ms. Yamamoto,” Lei said. “Let’s just say there’s a lot there. Now let’s discuss your business relationship with Councilman Roger Akana. Tell me about that.”
The sudden change of direction clearly caught Santos off guard. He blinked rapidly before regaining his composure. “Councilman Akana and I have several mutual business interests, as do many community leaders.”
“Specifically, through Santos Investment Group’s partnership with Anuenue Enterprises,” Lei clarified. “A partnership that has financial interests in developing the coastal area near Pearl Yamamoto’s property.”
“All completely legitimate business arrangements,” the attorney piped up.
“Though I’m curious about a series of payments from Anuenue Enterprises to various officials, documented in files recently discovered in Pearl’s possession. Payments that coincide with favorable zoning decisions for your joint projects.”
Santos paled visibly and unbuttoned his collar. “I’m not involved in the day-to-day operations of Santos Investment Group. You would need to speak with our financial officers about any specific transactions.”
“I intend to,” Lei said. “But first, I’d like to know where you were on the morning Pearl Yamamoto was poisoned.”
“This is becoming an interrogation,” the attorney protested.
“It’s a simple question,” Lei countered. “One an innocent man should have no trouble answering.”
Santos cleared his throat. “I was at a breakfast meeting with the tourism board just outside Ohia. From 7:30 until approximately 9:45 a.m.”
“Interesting,” Lei said. “Because Pearl was poisoned during that window of time, according to medical estimates. Her house is less than ten minutes from there.”
“Are you suggesting I slipped away from a meeting with a dozen witnesses to poison an elderly woman’s tea in front of even more people?” Santos asked incredulously. “I heard she drank the bad tea at a social gathering.”
“I’m suggesting it would have been physically possible,” Lei said. “Just as it would have been possible for you to hire someone else to do it.”
The attorney stood abruptly. “This interview is over. My client has cooperated fully, but I won’t allow these unfounded accusations to continue.”
Lei remained seated, her expression calm. “One more question before you go, Mayor Santos. Where were you at approximately 4:15 a.m. this morning?”
Santos froze halfway to standing. “What?”
“This morning,” Lei repeated. “Around 4:15 a.m.. Pearl Yamamoto regained consciousness briefly and spoke to her caretaker, Kawika Pali, whereupon someone attacked Mr. Pali in Pearl’s hospital room. I’m wondering if you can account for your whereabouts during that time.”
“I was at home, asleep,” Santos said, his voice strained. “As any normal person would be at that hour.”
“Can anyone verify that?” Lei pressed.
“My wife,” Santos replied. “Not that I need an alibi for something I had nothing to do with.”
Lei nodded, closing her folder. “Thank you for your time, Mayor Santos. We’ll be in touch if we have further questions.”
As Santos and his attorney left the interview room, Keone and I gazed at each other, eyes wide. “She rattled him,” Keone said. “Especially with that last question about this morning.”
Lei called us a moment later. “He’s definitely hiding something, but I’m not convinced he’s our poisoner.”
“What about the hospital attack?” I asked.
“The timing doesn’t quite work,” she said. “We have security footage of the hospital parking lot. No vehicle matching Santos’s entered between 3:30 and 5:00 a.m., nor were there any suspects entering matching his physical description.”
“That means either he has an accomplice, or . . .”
“Or Councilman Akana might be more directly involved than we initially thought,” Lei finished. “Or the mayor’s son, David. I need to bring him in for questioning next, but I don’t have enough cause. Let’s keep digging.”
We ended the call.
I stood up, stretching to my full height. I wiggled my whole body to discharge the tension collected in my muscles. “I need exercise. This has been the most intense ‘day off’ I’ve had in a while.”
