Murder in Honolulu: A Skye Delaney Mystery Read online

  MURDER IN HONOLULU

  A Skye Delaney Mystery

  By R. Barri Flowers

  Copyright 2012 by R. Barri Flowers at Smashwords. All rights reserved.

  Cover Image Copyright 2012 by Dhoxax

  Used under license from http://www.shutterstock.com

  MURDER IN HONOLULU: A Skye Delaney Mystery is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  ALSO BY R. BARRI FLOWERS

  NOVELS

  State's Evidence (A Beverly Mendoza Legal Thriller)

  Persuasive Evidence (A Jordan La Fontaine Legal Thriller)

  Justice Served (A Barkley and Parker Mystery)

  Murder in Maui (A Leila Kahana Mystery)

  Dark Streets of Whitechapel (A Jack the Ripper Mystery)

  Dead in the Rose City (A Dean Drake Mystery)

  Killer in The Woods (A Psychological Thriller)

  Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay (A Young Adult Haunted House Mystery)

  Danger in Time (A Young Adult Time Travel Mystery)

  TRUE CRIME

  The Sex Slave Murders: The True Story of Serial Killers Gerald & Charlene Gallego

  Serial Killer Couples: Bonded by Sexual Depravity, Abduction, & Murder

  Mass Murder in the Sky: The Bombing of Flight 629 (historical short)

  SHORT STORY COLLECTION

  Edge of Suspense: Thrilling Tales of Mystery & Murder

  Love Aboard the Titanic/Billy The Kid's Wife (Timeless Romance Shorts)

  * * *

  PRAISE FOR R. BARRI FLOWERS

  "Even hotter than its exotic Hawaiian setting. A police procedure of the highest order, mixing equal parts Sue Grafton and Jeffrey Deaver with a sprinkling of Patricia Cornwell at her best Sure to make both Kahana and Flowers household names." — Jon Land, author of Strong Justice on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A masterful thriller set in the dark underbelly of Maui, with lots of fine action, down and dirty characters, and the vivid details of police procedure one would expect from an author who is also a top criminologist. A terrific read!" — Douglas Preston, co-creator of the bestselling Pendergast series of novels on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A gripping and tightly woven tale you won't want to put down. Author Flowers neatly contrasts the natural beauty of a tropical paradise with the ugliness of murder and its aftermath." — John Lutz, Edgar winner and bestselling author of Night Victims on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A combination of grit, action, and incredibly realistic police procedure. That's the recipe that keeps me turning pages until the sun comes up. A tale so genuine that even I was tempted to call for backup a couple of times." — Lee Lofland, former detective and founder of the Writers' Police Academy on MURDER IN MAUI

  "Flowers delivers the goods. An exotic setting, winning characters, and realistic procedural details make MURDER IN MAUI a sure hit with crime-fiction readers." — Bill Crider, Edgar award winner and bestselling author of Murder in the Air on MURDER IN MAUI

  "Gripping writing, wonderfully rounded characters you really care about, and vivid locations—this novel is a real and rare treat." — Peter James, international bestselling author of Dead Simple on MURDER IN MAUI

  "From one of the best true crime writers around, R. Barri Flowers now has combined his impressive criminology credentials and literary talents to create Maui homicide detective Leila Kahana, a fascinating and complex heroine. Fans of CSI and Hawaii 5-0 will love this one and scream for more!" — Deborah Shlian, award-winning co-author of Double Illusion on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A thoroughly puzzling mystery to solve. If you love Hawaii or a good head-scratching mystery, you'll enjoy this book. Very entertaining." — William Bernhardt, bestselling author of Capitol Betrayal on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A steamy, non-stop thrill-ride through the seamy underbelly of Hawaii. R. Barri Flowers writes with the passion and knowledge of someone who truly knows his craft." — Allison Leotta, Federal Sex Crimes Prosecutor and author of Law Of Attraction on MURDER IN MAUI

  "Starts with a bang—literally—and drops you right into the deep end of murder. A by-the-book mystery that keeps the suspense taut and edgy." — Joe Moore, bestselling co-author of The 731 Legacy on MURDER IN MAUI

  "A gripping account of the murders committed by husband-and-wife serial killers Gerald and Charlene Gallego. Top true crime author and criminologist R. Barri Flowers provides his keen insight and expertise into what made these killing partners tick. Compelling reading." — Gary C. King, author of Blood Lust on THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS

  "It gets no better than this! R. Barri Flowers has written another thriller guaranteed to hold onto its readers! It was so gripping that I forgot to breathe a couple of times!" — Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews on DARK STREETS OF WHITECHAPEL

  "A compelling and powerful account of Jack the Ripper.... Flowers has captured the sights and sounds of New York City and London's East End in 1888.... The action is fast paced; the suspense building to a peak to the finale." — Barbara Buhrer of MysteryAbout.com on DARK STREETS OF WHITECHAPEL

  "A page-turner legal thriller that begins with a bang and rapidly moves along to its final page. He has filled the novel with believable characters and situations." — Midwest Book Review on STATE'S EVIDENCE

  "An excellent look at the jurisprudence system...will appeal to fans of John Grisham and Linda Fairstein." — Harriet Klausner on PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE

  "A model of crime fiction.... Flowers may be a new voice in modern mystery writing, but he is already one of its best voices." — Statesman Journal on JUSTICE SERVED

  "An interesting blend of classic film noir and rough, modern cinema.... Quick action and tight dialogue make it a jolting thriller, but it's also got the psychological tightness of a good mystery puzzle." — Robert A. Sloan, author of Raven Dance on DEAD IN THE ROSE CITY

  * * *

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44


  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Murder in Maui - Bonus Excerpts

  Dead in the Rose City - Bonus Excerpts

  Justice Served - Bonus Excerpts

  About the Author

  CHAPTER ONE

  The name's Skye McKenzie Delaney. I'm part of the twenty-first century breed of licensed private investigators who live by their wits, survive on instincts, and take each case as though it may be their last. The fact that I double as a security consultant for companies in and around the city of Honolulu, where I reside, gives me financial backup not afforded to all private eyes. This notwithstanding, I take my work as an investigator of everything from cats stuck in trees to missing persons to crimes the police can't or won't touch very seriously. If not, I wouldn't be putting my heart, soul, and body into this often thankless job.

  I also happen to be happily divorced—or at least no longer pining for my ex—and not afraid to get my hands dirty if necessary in my business. I get along with most people, but won't take any crap from anyone should it come my way.

  Before I became a security consultant/private eye, I used to be a homicide cop for the Honolulu Police Department. Stress, fatigue, burnout, and a real desire to get into something that could provide more financial security and flexible hours, without the downside and depression of police work and know-it-all authority figures, convinced me to change careers.

  During my six years on the force, I spent my nights earning a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. I'm hoping to get my Ph.D. someday when I no longer need to work for a living and can devote my time to further educating myself. In the meantime, I'm getting an honorary doctorate in private detectiveology, where every case can be a real learning experience.

  On and off the job, I carry a .40 caliber or 9-millimeter pistol Smith and Wesson—depending on my mood. And I'm not afraid to use either one if I have to, as it sure beats the alternative of ending up as just another private dick on a cold slab in the morgue.

  If I were to describe myself character-wise, the words that come to mind are feminine, adventurous yet conservative, streetwise though I often rely on intellect to get me over the hump, and kick-ass tough when duty calls.

  I've been told on more than one occasion that I'm attractive—even beautiful—and sexy as hell. I leave that for others to decide, but I'm definitely in great shape at five-eight, thanks to a near obsession with running and swimming, along with not overdoing it with calories. I usually wear my long blonde hair in a ponytail. My contacts make my eyes seem greener than they really are.

  I recently celebrated my thirty-fifth birthday. All right, in truth, it wasn't much of a celebration. I spent the entire day holed up in my house with my dog, Ollie, contemplating the future and happy to put much of my past behind me. That included my ex-husband, Carter Delaney, whose greatest contribution to my life and times was making me realize that no man was worth sacrificing one's own identity and integrity, even if it meant losing him in the process.

  I did lose Carter five years ago, after deciding I had no desire to share him with his mistress (and probably others I didn't know about). It was a decision I firmly stand by today and am definitely the better for.

  At least I convinced myself that was the case even as I came face to face with the subject in question on a muggy afternoon at the end of July. I had just filed away some papers when he walked into my office literally out of the blue. It was his first visit to my office since I joined the ranks of private eyes. I had once worked for the man as a security consultant. That turned into lust, sex, love, marriage, and divorce, and now we were little more than distant acquaintances.

  The tremulous half-smile that played on Carter's lips told me that he was not entirely comfortable being there. I felt just as awkward for probably the same reason: the ex-spouse syndrome, which would forever keep a wall of regrets and painful memories between us, thick as molasses.

  Never mind the fact that Carter Delaney was still every bit the physical specimen I had fallen in love with another lifetime ago. Tall, fit, handsome, and perennially tanned with dark hair and gray eyes, he almost looked as if he had just stepped out of the pages of Good Looking Digest. Though it was hotter than hell outside, he was decked out in an Italian navy designer suit and wing-tipped burgundy leather shoes. He glanced at the expensive watch on his wrist as if he needed to be somewhere else.

  At thirty-eight, Carter Delaney was a successful businessman. A former Honolulu prosecutor in the career criminal division, Carter had walked away from the job after excelling at it for the lure of cold hard cash in the world of commerce. He had turned his smarts and acumen into a successful Internet-based international trade company.

  It was during the early stages of this success that I entered the picture. Carter had hired me, wanting to have the best security devices for both his home and business. The rest, as they say, is history.

  At least it was.

  We had managed to avoid running into each other for nearly a year now, which suited me just fine. I wasn't looking for history to ever repeat itself, so quite naturally my curiosity was piqued as to why he was here now. Rather than appear too overeager, I decided to wait and let him take the lead.

  "Hi," I said tonelessly as I eased back into my chair and scooted it up to my gray workstation desk. I shuffled some papers to at least give the guise of being busy. In fact, I was going through somewhat of a dry spell right now with the sluggish economy and all. This was particularly true on the private eye side of things, where potential clients seemed more willing to go it alone or rely on an overworked criminal justice system to solve their problems.

  I wondered if Carter was here for a social call or if he was looking to hire me as a security consultant again.

  "Nice office," he said, though the words seemed to squeeze through his tight-lipped smile.

  I agreed with his assessment, as I'd paid enough for the roomy one-woman, air-conditioned unit in a high rent downtown office building that had all the tools of the private eye trade.

  Carter hadn't taken his eyes off me since entering the office. It made me just a little uncomfortable. I wondered if he was trying to undress me with his penetrating gaze, as if he hadn't seen the merchandise before.

  Either way, it was not winning him any brownie points, if there were any left to win.

  I glared at him and said dryly: "Glad you like what you see."

  He immediately turned his eyes downward, as though searching for something. When he looked at me again, Carter's smile had faded as he said, clearly for my benefit: "I've been meaning to stop by, see how things were going, but between work and—"

  I was only too happy to bail him out in this instance, though I had the feeling he was stalling. For what, I had no earthly idea.

  "Don't torture yourself, Carter," I told him. "It's a little late for a guilt trip. Or have you forgotten that we're not married anymore?"

  At least not to each other. Six months to the day after our divorce was finalized, he and the mistress tied the knot. Rumor had it she was pregnant at the time. Rarely did I take rumors seriously but, sure enough, the newlyweds did produce a baby girl shortly thereafter. I didn't want kids—at least not until I had done the career thing first. Carter didn't want to wait for me or my career.

  To this day, we've never discussed whether that was the beginning of the end or just the beginning of his wandering eyes. Either way, it did little to erase my self-doubts, what might have been, or what had transpired since.

  "Like it or not, a part of us will always be married, Skye," he declared, "at least in spirit."

  "I don't think so," I said, sneering. "In spirit or otherwise. What's done is done."

  "Maybe you're ri
ght." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

  "Do you plan to tell me why the hell you're here?" I decided to be blunt, since he seemed willing to take his own sweet time. And in my business, time was money. He didn't have to know that it was only trickling in at the moment. "Or am I supposed to guess what reason my ex-husband might have for paying me an office visit?" I asked.

  I honestly couldn't think of any reason for him to be there. Other than maybe to check out my office digs out of curiosity or get a glimpse of what he'd given up back in the day.

  He chuckled. "Still as impatient as ever, I see."

  I frowned. "Guess some things never change..."

  We eyeballed each other for a moment or two of stubborn reflection. Finally, he asked coolly: "Mind if I sit?"

  I indicated either of two brandy-colored cluster armchairs. He sat down and for some reason I was glad that my desk separated us.

  Carter sat there staring blankly at me, as though in a trance. I stared back and waited with uneasiness at this unlikely get together.

  I suddenly felt compelled to ask: "So how's your wife and...?"

  At about the same time he was saying: "I'd like to hire you..."

  My question could wait. If I hadn't known better, I thought I just heard Carter Delaney actually say he wanted to hire me! If the notion wasn't so absurd, I might have burst into laughter at that moment. Instead, I forced myself to say: "I'm listening—"