Double Cross. Terri Reed

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СКАЧАТЬ your visit here is purely business?”

      “For the most part. I do hope to present Mrs. Kaapa with a new offer to buy her property, but I also hope to learn to bodysurf,” Ryan said, his mocha-colored eyes full of determination.

      Kiki groaned inwardly. Great. The sweet-talking charmer was bent on convincing her grandmother to sell. Well, Kiki wouldn’t let him.

      “Is that your rental parked over there?” Nik asked, drawing Ryan’s attention away.

      Kiki glanced at the white, or rather the once-white, Mustang convertible parked beneath a tree. She hadn’t noticed it before in all the confusion.

      “Yes,” Ryan confirmed.

      Another officer came running up. “Hey, Nik, looks like a homemade pipe bomb.”

      “Have you called the forensic team?”

      “They’re on their way,” he replied, before heading back to where the other two officers were waiting.

      “How long before the explosion did you arrive?” Nik asked, his voice intense.

      “Just a few minutes. I’d seen Kiki walking toward the greenhouse. I’d almost caught up to her when the truck blew.”

      “Did you see anyone else around?”

      He shook his head. “No.”

      “On the highway?”

      Ryan’s eyebrows drew together in a concerned frown. “I passed a nondescript brown sedan, but I didn’t see where the car had come from or get a good look at the driver.”

      Nik addressed Kiki and her grandmother. “Do either of you know why someone would want to blow up your truck?”

      Kiki hated to even think the thought that ran through her head much less say it, but she had to. “I had to lay off ten workers yesterday. And at three today I told everyone else to take the rest of the afternoon off.”

      Nik’s dark eyes were grim. “That might be reason enough. I’ll need a list of names and numbers of the laid-off employees. In fact, why don’t you give me a list of all the employees. Maybe someone saw something before they left.”

      Kiki nodded, her gut clenching. She’d tried to make it clear to the employees she’d laid off that the decision had been purely business and not personal. She hadn’t wanted to lay anyone off, but the farm wasn’t doing as well this season.

      Last week a goat had managed to get into the crop and destroy thousands of dollars worth of plants. Then the electricity in the greenhouse went on the fritz and they’d lost some very rare species of orchids.

      A bright yellow Jeep screamed up the drive and halted with squealing tires and a cloud of dust.

      “Uh-oh, Pa-no,” Kiki remarked, using her childhood refrain as she watched her cousin jump out of his vehicle and hustle his bulky frame toward them. When he got close enough, she subtly sniffed him. Thankfully, today he was sober.

      “What happened?” Pano demanded as he stopped beside Nik.

      Nik explained.

      Pano’s dark eyes widened. “Good thing no one was hurt.” Taking his grandmother’s hands in his, he asked, “Tutu, are you sure you’re not hurt? I came the minute I heard. Is there anything I can do?”

      Lana’s soft smile was full of love for her grandson. “No, dear. The police are doing what they can. I’m grateful you came, though.”

      Pano’s gaze shifted to Ryan. “Hey, aren’t you the guy who was here last spring, wanting to buy this place?”

      “Yes,” Ryan answered.

      Pano’s gaze narrowed. “Did you do this?”

      That was the same question Kiki had considered. She watched Ryan closely as he shook his head, his gaze direct and honest.

      “No, I didn’t. But I can see how this doesn’t look good for me.” Ryan turned to address Nik. “I’ll cooperate fully in your investigation. I have nothing to hide.”

      Nik nodded his thanks. “That’s appreciated. I’ll have more questions I’m sure.”

      “Why don’t you ask him about the deal the neighbors have?” Pano suggested to Nik, his gaze hard on Ryan.

      Kiki flitted a glance at Ryan as wariness twisted in her gut. Deal?

      “The neighbors on both sides of the property want to sell, but the deal won’t go through unless the investors I represent have this land, as well,” Ryan explained.

      Anger shot through Kiki. Had one of her neighbors done this? “The neighbors are just going to have to live with disappointment.”

      “When did you make this deal with the neighbors?” Nik asked.

      “We’ve been in negotiations since last May,” Ryan responded.

      Kiki blinked as disbelief swept through her.

      He’d been talking to their neighbors even after she’d told him they wouldn’t sell?

      Now Mr. Laanui’s comment at the grocery store last month made sense. The old man had cornered her in the produce section. “You’re standing in the way,” he’d stated in English, his black eyes cold.

      She’d assumed he meant she was in his way with her cart, but now she wasn’t so sure. Could he have blown up her truck? Or had one of the other neighbors?

      “Pano, I’m sure Ryan had nothing to do with this,” Tutu stated firmly. “He is a guest on the island and would like to learn to bodysurf. Why don’t you take him tomorrow?” Tutu suggested, though judging by the forceful look in her dark eyes she expected Pano to do as she asked.

      For a moment, Kiki didn’t think Pano would comply. But then he relented and nodded.

      “Sure. You up for that?” Pano asked Ryan.

      Ryan gave Pano a thumbs-up sign. Kiki’s teeth clenched. The last thing she needed was Ryan and Pano buddying up, giving Ryan an opportunity to convince Pano to advocate the sale of the land. She wasn’t sure where Pano stood on the issue. He’d never taken much of an interest in the business, even though he’d grown up on the farm. He’d moved out as soon as he could and now lived in a beachside apartment complex in Kihei.

      A shrill ringing filled the air.

      “I’ll get it,” said Tutu. She hurried toward the house.

      At the questioning looks of the men, Kiki explained, “We have the phone set up on a loudspeaker system so we can hear it if we’re in the field or the greenhouse.”

      “You’d definitely be able to hear that,” quipped Ryan.

      “Where are you staying, McClain?” Pano asked.

      “The Mana Kai.”

      Nik СКАЧАТЬ