Free Wedding Day Dead: A Murder on Maui Mystery by Robert W. Stephens

appropriate thing to do. I told her again how sorry I was about Panos. She thanked me for coming over to see her and her mother.
    “I’ll see him to the sitting room,” Daphne told Kalena.
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “It was nice meeting you, Kalena,” I said.
    “Nice meeting you, Mr. Rutherford.”
    Kalena left, and Daphne took over guiding me to the back of the house.
    “One of the bedrooms here is for our mother. She visits at least once a year. Her sitting room is in the back.”
    “Kalena seems like a nice woman,” I said.
    “Yes, she’s been with us since we moved to Maui. Panos hired her. She does a little bit of everything for us.”
    We entered the back room. There was a small book shelf on one wall. The other walls were covered with family photos. The entire back wall of the sitting room was glass and offered a magnificent view of the ocean. Someone had opened the sliding glass door, and a cool ocean breeze blew through the room. I could see why Daphne’s mother would want to spend as much time here as possible.
    “Can I get you anything to drink?” she asked.
    “No, I’m fine. Thanks.”
    Daphne smiled.
    “I’ll go tell Mother you’re here.”
    Daphne left. I walked over to the wall of photos. There were several shots of what I assumed was Panos as a boy. There were also photos of Panos and Daphne as teenagers, both smiling and laughing. I couldn’t help but feel horrible for Panos and his life cut-short.
    “He was such a wonderful boy. Always running around. Always the center of attention.”
    I turned to see Panos’ mother standing in the doorway. I guessed her to be in her late sixties to early seventies, but she still appeared strong and vibrant.
    “Hello, Mrs. Laskaris,” I said.
    I expressed my condolences for the loss of her son, and she was gracious in her acceptance. She led me over to the two chairs by the back windows, and we sat down. The ocean breeze felt good. I expected Daphne to return, but she never did.
    “Thank you for coming to see me on such short notice. I won’t be in town very long, just long enough to claim my son’s body and bring him home.”
    “So he’s to be buried in California?” I asked.
    She nodded.
    “We have a family plot on our property. I intend to bury him beside his father. He and Panos loved each other so much. It seems only right they should be together now.”
    She paused, looked out the window, and then turned back to me.
    “Panos said he built this room especially for me. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do love this view.”
    “It’s quite remarkable. I never get tired of looking at the ocean,” I said.
    “I assume you wonder why I’ve asked you here,” she continued.
    I nodded.
    “Have you met this Detective Glen Adcock?” she asked.
    “No, Alana mentioned his name to me a few days ago, but I’m not part of the investigation in any way.”
    “I’d like to change that,” she said. “My daughter is under the impression the detective is an idiot.”
    “I can’t speak to that. Like I said, I’ve never met him.”
    “Panos’ killer must be found, and I have no faith in the local police.”
    “I’ve had some interaction with them. I don’t think you should feel that way.”
    “I’m a businesswoman, Mr. Rutherford. It’s called ‘limiting the risk.’ I’d like to have a second team working the case. That’s why I asked for you.”
    “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” I said.
    “I had a long conversation with Daphne about you. She told me how you solved that case involving the murdered artist. She said the police you speak sohighly about falsely imprisoned your friend, and you were the only one who believed in his innocence. She said you seemed like a very smart man.”
    She was really laying it on thick,
I thought. Part of me was flattered. Part of me was annoyed by the obvious manipulation.
    “I want to hire you to find my son’s killer,” she continued.
    “I appreciate your confidence in me, Mrs.