Chapter 16
Just a few days into my Hawaiian adventure, and I’m already conducting informal interviews with murder suspects, which either makes me dedicated or demonstrates a spectacular lack of survival instincts that my mother would definitely have thoughts about.
The next morning finds us tracking down Dane Huntington at the resort, which turns out to be easier than expected since he’s holding court by the less-green pool, regaling a handful of tourists with what appears to be a highly embellished tale about swimming with dolphins.
His beachy perfection is on full display—board shorts, tank top that showcases his bronzed tan, and that thousand-watt smile that could power half the island.
Finding Dane Huntington at the resort proves easier than expected, mainly because his voice carries across the property like a tropical bird with opinions about customer service.
“Ladies!” he calls out as we approach, his voice carrying enough enthusiasm to convince us he’s genuinely happy to see us. “Just the people I wanted to talk to!”
“Really?” Ruby says, immediately perking up at male attention like a flower turning toward the sun. “And why is that?”
“I’ve been watching what you three have been doing around here,” Dane says, gesturing broadly at the resort with pride as if he actually cares about the place. “The energy, the effort, the way you’re trying to turn this place around—it’s incredible. Really inspiring.”
I exchange glances with Lani and Ruby. Either Dane is a phenomenal actor or he’s genuinely impressed by our recent string of disasters masquerading as business initiatives.
“You noticed,” Lani says dryly, her tone suggesting she’s not sure if this is a compliment or an observation about our visible chaos. Most likely both.
“Are you kidding? The coffee improvements, the menu planning, even that whole cinnamon roll thing yesterday—I mean, sure, the kitchen caught fire, and the sprinkler system turned everything into an indoor water park, but the ambition was there!”
“The ambition to burn down the building,” I mutter because I can’t let anything go.
“Hey, no risk, no reward, right?” Dane’s smile somehow gets even brighter, which I didn’t think was physically possible without some kind of dental lighting system.
“That’s exactly the sort of thinking this place needs.
Fresh perspective, new ideas, people who aren’t afraid to shake things up even if it means occasionally setting things on fire. ”
Ruby preens under the praise like a peacock that’s just been told it has excellent tail feathers. “Well, we do try to bring a certain enthusiasm to our work.”
“Which is why,” Dane continues, “I want to invite you on one of my sunset cruises tonight. My treat. It’s the least I can do to show some appreciation for everything you’re doing to save this little slice of paradise.”
The morning heat is already making the air shimmer, and the warm wind holds the scent of plumeria mixed with whatever’s currently decomposing in pool number two. A rooster crows from somewhere behind the kitchen, followed by what sounds like a small chicken conference about breakfast plans.
“A sunset cruise?” Ruby’s eyes light up with enthusiasm usually reserved for attractive men with all their original teeth.
“That’s right. Out of Hanalei Bay, up the Nā Pali coast,” Dane explains, his voice taking on a cadence that makes it sound like he’s given this pitch a thousand times.
“It’s the most beautiful coastline in the world with dramatic cliffs rising straight out of the ocean, hidden beaches that look like they were designed by someone who really understood paradise, sea caves that look like nature’s own houses of worship. And the sunset? Pure magic.”
“That sounds absolutely divine,” Ruby gushes, and I can practically see her mentally planning her outfit. My money is on a coconut bra.
“I’m in,” Lani says, surprising me with her quick agreement because she’s usually more cautious about accepting invitations from people we’re investigating for murder. Not that we’re old hat at this, but I would assume.
“What about you, Jinx?” Dane asks, turning that megawatt smile on me with the intensity of a spotlight. “Ready for a little adventure?”
Before I can answer—and I’m honestly not sure what my answer would be because this seems like a terrible idea, but also a free sunset cruise—Melanie appears from the direction of the lobby like a storm cloud in designer shoes, her expression suggesting someone just told her that customer service is now a job requirement and she’s personally offended by the concept.
“And where exactly do you think you’re going?” she demands, her voice carrying an authority usually reserved for prison wardens.
“A sunset cruise!” Ruby says cheerfully, unfazed by Melanie’s mean girl energy. “Dane is treating us to a little appreciation for our hard work.”
“Hard work?” Melanie gags as if the words taste bad in her mouth. “Is that what we’re calling yesterday’s kitchen fire?”
“That was an equipment malfunction,” I protest because technically it was the oven’s fault, not mine. Mostly.
“That was a disaster waiting to happen, and now you want to abandon your posts for a pleasure cruise?” Melanie’s voice rises to unsafe levels.
“It’s just one evening,” Lani points out.
“It’s abandoning your responsibilities,” Melanie snaps, her face taking on a color that assures high blood pressure or possibly impending volcanic eruption.
“And you’ll pay for it. All of you. Dock in pay, written warnings, whatever it takes to remind you that you work for this resort, not the other way around. ”
Her gaze lands on Dane, and for just a second, something flickers across her face that might be hurt feelings or might be indigestion.
“I suppose you weren’t planning to invite me,” she says, her voice taking on a tone that could reverse a waterfall.
“Oh,” Dane says, his smile faltering for the first time since we started talking. “I mean, of course, you’re welcome, Melanie. I just thought you’d be too busy with... you know... managing.”
“Of course.” Melanie’s smile is made of glass and sharp edges and possibly broken dreams. “I’ll be too busy keeping this place running while everyone else goes off to play.”
The silence stretches like taffy in the humid air, sticky and uncomfortable and making everyone wish they were somewhere else. Even the chickens seem to sense the tension and go quiet, which is honestly more unnerving than the constant crowing.
“Well,” Ruby says finally. “I think a sunset cruise sounds absolutely perfect. Dane, what time should we meet you?”
“Six o’clock near the Hanalei Pier,” he says, his enthusiasm returning but with a slightly forced quality. “Bring sunscreen and maybe a light jacket for the ride back. It can get chilly once the sun goes down.” He holds up a finger. “I’ve got drinks and pūpūs covered.”
Melanie makes a sound that might be a snort or might be her soul leaving her body through sheer force of resentment before stalking off toward her office as if she were personally offended by the concept of fun and also possibly by Dane’s entire existence.
“She’s delightful,” Dane says once she’s out of earshot.
“Like a root canal,” Lani agrees.
“So,” I say, watching Melanie disappear into her lair. “Six o’clock it is.”
“Perfect,” Dane says, clapping his hands together. “You ladies are in for a treat. Best sunset cruise on the island, guaranteed. I’ve been doing this for five years, and I’ve never had an unhappy customer.”
As we watch him bound away toward the beach like he’s never met a problem he couldn’t charm his way out of, I can’t help but wonder if we’re about to spend the evening with a killer or just a really enthusiastic tour guide with flexible accounting principles.
Accepting a sunset cruise invitation from your prime murder suspect while your boss threatens financial retaliation is either brilliant detective work or a master class in poor decision-making.
Either way, at least the scenery will be spectacular.
And if Dane does turn out to be a murderer, at least I’ll die with a good tan and an ocean view.