Moon over Maalaea Bay by H. L. Wegley Page A

car.”
    “I didn’t expect you this soon.”
    “We caught a flight that was delayed from earlier in the evening. It saved us two hours. Do you have any more news about Jennifer?”
    He looked around the restaurant at the thirty or more customers. His gut told him to keep his voice down and choose his words carefully. “I stumbled onto some information that may give us a break in the case. We haven’t found Jennifer yet, but let’s rendezvous here in Kihei, and I’ll fill you in. I think we need to do some investigating of our own.”
    “Katie and I would like that. We need to do something to help after sitting helpless on a plane for six hours. We’re both sick with worry.”
    “Do you know where Starbucks on South Kihei Road is located?”
    “I know that area. My cousin runs a boat rental at the marina in Kihei a few blocks from there.”
    “Meet me there as soon as you can.”
    “OK. But first someone here needs to talk to you.”
    “Lee, it’s Katie. I prayed for Jenn all the way here. I made a real nuisance of myself with God.”
    “Me too, Katie. I pestered Him all night. I love you, girl. See you in a few minutes, and we’ll talk about what we need to do next.” Hearing her voice and realizing she was now on Maui drove another spike of fear into his stomach. Come what may, he must protect Katie.
    Lee closed his cell, left a generous tip for the waitress who had kept his coffee cup filled much of the night, and headed for his rental car.
    In the predawn light, he drove north to the coffee shop while he sorted through the fragments of information he would soon share with Granddad and Katie. From the information, Lee tried to develop a plan of action. But when he turned in at the Kukui Mall and parked, his plan was mostly a wish list. To turn his wishes into something solid—
    What I need is a lamp, one with a genie. Or the real thing, an angel from God.
     
     
     
     

12
     
    After Snake pulled her onto her feet, Jennifer surveyed the view from the nearest window in the catamaran, trying to determine what lay ahead, but fear threatened to paralyze her mind and suck the strength from her body.
    “Keep moving, keep quiet, and don’t try anything stupid.” Snake prodded her from behind. “Rumor has it you’re a million-dollar baby. Personally, I don’t think you’re worth it.”
    Jennifer turned her head and glared at him. She couldn’t care less what he thought.
    “I see you disagree with my assessment.” He gave her a thin-lipped smile.
    Too many Ss. Snake’s incessant hissing was grating on her nerves.
    “Beauty is in the eye of beholder, so all that matters is what our client thinks you’re worth.” He pushed her towards the cabin door.
    Jennifer glanced out another window. High above, the sky was already a bright blue. Another beautiful day in paradise. It was the antithesis for her, bound with nylon restraints.
    She scanned the dark outline of Haleakala through the window. The volcanic mountain filled half of the sky, blocking the sun, protracting the dawn, betraying her by giving her captors enough time to move her.
    Molikini lay to the southwest, so the yacht must be anchored off the northern part of Makena or the southern part of Wailea. If she swam, the nearest point to land would be either somewhere near the Grand Wailea Resort or more to the south, where a point jutted out into the water near the Makena Beach Resort. But knowing her location did her no good unless she could free her hands.
    She studied Snake again as he pulled her towards a ramp, temporarily connecting the catamaran to the yacht. Vicious at first, the man had become cocky. If her hands were free, her kick would smash his face and the evil smirk it wore, knocking the vile man into the water. Then she would dive in on the opposite side of the ramp.
    She visualized her stance and the ferocious kick. Then saw herself drown without hands free to swim. Somehow the restraining bands had to come off.
    Snake pushed her