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

Laskaris, but that’s not something I do. It was sort of a one-time thing.”
    “Panos was my only son. You must do this for me. I’ll pay you for your efforts.”
    “I’m sorry, but I’m not for hire.”
    “Nonsense. Everyone is for hire.”
    The woman was persistent. I’ll give her that.
    “Daphne will be your assistant. She’ll report to me each night on your progress.”
    “I don’t like having to refuse you, but this isn’t something I can do.”
    “Did you like my son?” she asked.
    It would be beyond rude of me to tell her the truth, but my hesitation still told her everything.
    “I didn’t think so,” she continued. “Is that why you won’t do this for me?”
    “I didn’t know Panos well. We spent very little time together. The simple fact is I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to begin an investigation regarding your son. I don’t know any of his connections, and I have no idea who might have wanted to harm him.”
    “Daphne knew him better than anyone. She’ll help you with those details.”
    “I’m not a professional. I only took on Foxx’s case out of desperation because no one else believed in him.”
    “I’ll pay you half your fee upfront. The other half will be paid when you deliver me the name of his killer.”
    I turned from Mrs. Laskaris and looked out the window. It was another beautiful day on the island. The sky and ocean were as blue as they’d been that day I sat on the dock with Alana before our sailing trip with Panos. Alana was probably doing whatever she could to help with Panos’ case, even if she’d been forbidden to by her department. I thought back to my flight to Maui. I was so anxious to arrive because I knew Alana would be waiting for me at the airport. I wasn’t sure exactly what changed my mind to help Mrs. Laskaris in that minuteof staring out at the ocean. Maybe I thought I had something to prove to Alana. Maybe I had something to prove to myself. I turned back to her.
    “Very well. I’ll get started first thing in the morning,” I said.
    “How much is your fee? I’ll write you a check now before you leave.”
    I stood.
    “My fee is zero. I’m doing this to find a killer, not to profit from the dead. Again, I’m sorry for your tremendous loss.”
    Mrs. Laskaris nodded, and I left the room. I headed to the front door and saw Daphne waiting for me.
    “Is it safe to assume you’ve agreed to her request?” she asked.
    “So you knew what this was all about?”
    “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it on the phone. She asked me not to.”
    “I understand. Please write a list tonight of who you think may have wanted to harm your brother. We’ll start interviewing them in the morning. I’ll be back at nine o’clock.”
    I left the house and drove to the marina where Foxx said he’d seen Alana the other night. I parked and walked down to the dock. There was crime-scene tape blocking the entrance to the stern of Panos’ boat. I looked down on the spot Alana and I had sat just a week ago. I remembered us dangling our legs over the side as we looked out to the ocean. I wondered if I should call her and tell her about my new agreement with Panos’ mother, but I decided not to. She would be against it, and I had no desire to have another argument with her. I still didn’t know where we stood regarding our relationship. I wasn’t even sure we had a relationship anymore. I couldn’t believe the terrible turn my life had taken in such a short time, and I felt guilty for even complaining about it. At least I was still alive. I had a second chance to make things right. Panos didn’t. I decided at that moment to stop feeling sorry for myself. It wasn’t helping anyone, least of all me. It certainly wasn’t going to help me solve the murder of Panos.
    I drove back to the house and went for another run despite having done one that morning. When I got back to the house, I found Foxx and Michelle sitting by the pool.
    “You’re gonna run those legs