Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
With two reported incidents involving colorful monsters, I had no choice but to call the HOA president and apprise her of the situation.
To prepare, I picked up my golf cart from Margie, then bought a cortado and a chocolate croissant on the way to my office and settled in for what was sure to be an uncomfortable conversation.
It took half the croissant and three-quarters of the cortado before I worked up the nerve to call.
“Justine Kaminsky’s office.”
“Lionel, it’s Maya. Is she there?”
His chuckle was low and slightly mocking. “Oh, she certainly is.”
I bit off another piece of the croissant. “Can I speak to her?”
“You certainly can.” He patched me through.
“Justine speaking.”
“Good morning,” I said.
“Not when security is my second call of the day.” As a wereskunk, Justine wasn’t known for her cuddly nature.
“Quick question. Is there any chance we’ve recently registered any giant blue Neighbors? Or any giant green ones that aren’t so jolly?”
Justine was quiet for a moment. “Are you telling me there are two unauthorized creatures on the island?”
“Wait. You know about one of them already?”
“I said you were my second call of the day. Have you seen either one of these creatures?”
“Not yet, but I’ve been looking. They seem to have appeared, scared the crap out of someone, and then disappeared. How did you hear about yours?”
“I got a call from Buff Base. Tennis practice was interrupted by the blue monster. The thing seized control of the ball dispenser and started shooting at the players, then it ran off laughing.”
Buff Base was the nickname for the clothing-optional section of the island. I didn’t want to contemplate what the creature was aiming for when it commandeered the ball dispenser. Then again, some targets would be hard to hit if Neighborhood gossip was to be believed—which it generally was.
“The blue guy has a sense of humor,” I said. “That’s interesting.”
“Terrorizing Neighbors isn’t funny, Maya. Find out how they got here too. I thought we secured the perimeter after the last intrusion.”
“We did.” I’d personally overseen the installation of the new ward after intruders managed to infiltrate the island.
“I expect you to take care of this immediately. We can’t afford another crisis, especially so soon after the last one.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise.” I hung up before she could launch into a speech about responsibility and filling Judd’s shoes. I needed no reminders.
I stared at my blank computer screen, thinking about everything I knew so far about our unwanted visitors.
Bright, vibrant colors. Horned. Claws. Sharp teeth.
The salient point seemed to be their failure to actually attack anyone, despite their dangerous appearances.
I typed a few key terms in the search bar, reviewed the results, and created a short list of the most likely suspects.
The top candidates were all East Asian in origin and relatively unfamiliar to me.
I logged into the Neighborhood security system and tracked down the person most likely to help me identify the creatures.
Kaito was a quiet Neighbor, but he liked company.
He also like origami, which is what I found him doing in the Palmetto clubhouse while another group of residents held a meeting to plan an upcoming square dance.
I couldn’t think of anything I’d like to do less than do-si-do.
I spotted the familiar head of dark hair hunched over a small table nestled in the back corner. I skirted the main event and slid into the empty chair across from him.
Kaito glanced up from his creation. “Hello, Maya.”
“Hi. Cherry blossom?”
He nodded. “Some people knit. I prefer this.”
“No dragons today?” Kaito was capable of infusing his creations with magic. I’d seen him craft animals, including a small dragon, and breathe temporary life into them. Too bad there was no children’s birthday party market to corner on the island. His handiwork put balloon animals to shame.
“I woke up in a flower mood. Sakura remind me of home.”
His accent was almost undetectable. “How long have you lived in America?”
“Since 1883. That’s the year I was recruited to work on a sugar plantation in Hawaii. I signed a five-year contract. From there, I went to San Francisco.”
“Were you there for the 1906 earthquake?”
“I was, indeed. A very scary time. Many moments I have forgotten, but not that one.”
I whistled. “Damn. You’ve been through it.”
“I was fortunate to have left for Australia in 1933, or else I would have found myself in an internment camp.”
“I’m surprised you came back.”
His gaze drifted to the windows behind me. “There is something about this land that speaks to me. I returned in 1954, this time to the East Coast, and have been here ever since.”
“You’re a walking history book.”
“We all are. That is the reason I enjoy listening to the conversations around me while I craft. Neighbors have lived such long and varied lives. I learn something new every day. Keeps me young.”
I glanced at Buck McKinley on the dance floor. “I bet there are some things you wish you could unlearn.” The crude werewolf was the type of man I hoped was a dying breed.
Kaito followed my gaze. “Buck has his flaws, but did you know he survived the Battle of the Bulge? He says if it hadn’t taken place in a forest, he isn’t sure he would have survived.
His stories are harrowing. It’s no wonder he clings to certain vices.
” He dropped his hands into his lap. “But you are a busy woman, and I doubt you came here to stroll down memory lane. How can I help you, Maya?”
Kaito was as insightful as he was quiet and unassuming. “Have you heard about the sightings?”
“The blue creature?”
“And a green one.” I described them in greater detail. “I was wondering if you might be able to identify them.”
His gaze shifted to the paper on the table in front of him. “You think I created them?” He chuckled. “My origami is good, but not that good.”
“I don’t think they’re origami. I think they might be Chinese or Japanese in origin.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Is that why you’re asking me? Because I’m Japanese?”
My gaze lowered to the table. “Maybe.”
“Maya August, I do believe you’re racially profiling me.”
“You’re not a suspect. I’m following a research lead.”
“A lead that involves creatures you’ve identified as potentially Japanese. Am I the only Japanese person you know?” To my relief, he sounded more amused than annoyed.
“No,” I replied truthfully, but I couldn’t ask her. The door to that world was closed to me now.
Kaito picked up a sheet of paper and began to fold it. “If I had to guess, I’d say they’re oni.”
That was one of the options on my list. “What can you tell me about them?”
“They’re demonic spirits. They move between our realm and the realm of the dead.”
“So they’re ghosts,” a voice interrupted.
I looked to my right to see Bernice Daltrey, a newcomer to the island. She wore her silver hair slicked back and secured by a plaid headband. “Hi Bernice. Nice to see you getting involved in activities.”
“I prefer classical music to country, but it’s better than sitting around the condo, annoying Louise with the sound I make when I breathe. I’m surprised she hasn’t hexed me by now.”
“You two still not getting along?” I asked.
“It’s more of an undercurrent of tension, but it’s been hell on my nervous system.”
“I’m sorry.” The were-meerkat, or werekat, was prone to anxiety and stomach issues, one of the many facts about Neighbors I happened to know and wished I didn’t.
Bernice gestured to Kaito. “I want to hear more about these ghosts.”
“Not ghosts,” Kaito said, shifting toward her. “Oni.”
“Why haven’t they killed anyone?” I asked.
Bernice recoiled. “I was told this island was safe, but it’s been nothing but murder and mayhem since I arrived.”
“The oni will not kill you,” Kaito told her. “They are mere troublemakers.”
Bernice narrowed her eyes. “Good trouble or bad trouble?”
“I wouldn’t call them malicious, but they can wreak havoc and leave destruction in their wake better than any class of preschoolers you’ve ever seen.”
“Is that what the metal club is for?” I asked.
“Iron club.”
“You say rock. I say stone. Why are they here on the island? Were they summoned?” I asked.
“They are not that kind of demon.”
“So they showed up just to cause trouble?” Bernice asked.
Kaito shook his head. “Oni are harbingers. They must sense a disturbance in the ether. If they are here, it’s because something more powerful is on its way.”
His words chilled me to the bone. “Like what?”
“That I couldn’t say.”
“I’ll bet it’s nothing good,” Bernice interjected.
“Have you ever seen one up close?” I asked.
“No, thankfully,” Kaito replied. “I don’t envy those who have. My closest encounter was as a boy in Japan. On the night of Setsubun, we would throw dry beans at someone wearing an oni mask in an effort to cast him out.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Sounds like a waste of food,” Bernice muttered.
“How do we get rid of them?” I asked.
“You don’t. They decide when to come and go.”
“We can’t throw beans at them?” I asked.
“You can, but they’re only effective on the last day of the year.”
“We’re nowhere near the end of December.”
He leaned forward. “Since when is your calendar the only way to count the days?”
Damn. My ignorance was on full display. Even worse, I should know better. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“When we know better, we do better,” he said.
Five years ago, I’d adopted that as my mantra. It seemed I was still learning.
“You’re right, though,” Kaito continued. “It isn’t the last night of the year for us either. Beans are of no use in this situation.”
And neither was I, it seemed. At least I was leaving with more information than I had when I arrived. That had to count for something.
“If you think of anything else about oni, will you call and let me know?”