Free Moon over Maalaea Bay by H. L. Wegley Page B

several others who have crossed him. I will turn down the Iranian’s offer. Hopefully, they will go away. With all of the government scrutiny of events on this island, perhaps the VEVAK will slither out of the heat and back under their rock, never to be seen by us again.”
    Nguyen was tapping his index finger on the table to a slow steady rhythm. “When are you planning to tell the VEVAK agent of your decision?”
    James smiled. “I’m not going to tell them, Nguyen. You are. Now.”
    Nguyen’s finger stopped tapping. His hand balled into a tight fist, then opened. Slowly, he reached for his cell phone.
     
     
     
     

16
     
    Katie unfolded the map of Kihei in her lap and traced their route to the house as Granddad pulled out from Kukui Mall and headed north. “In about a mile we turn right onto Kauhaa Street. The house is in a residential area south of Kauhaa.”
    Granddad glanced her way. His look was warm, caring. “I promised Lee I would keep you safe, but I know how much you want to help find Jennifer. As he stipulated, you must stay in the car, but I’ll try to park where you can see what is happening.”
    Katie studied Granddad’s kind face. In the few weeks she had known him, he had become her confidant, her mentor in karate as well as in other areas of her life. “Thanks for thinking of me, Granddad. I love you.”
    It felt awkward to say it. Perhaps because it was the first time she had expressed her feelings so openly towards him. But it was true, so very true. He was like Jennifer…well, a male version. Maybe that’s why she grew to love this man so quickly.
    A grin spread across his face. “I love you too, Katie girl. Here’s Kauhaa. Where is our next turn?”
    “Take the second right, onto Laumakani Loop. Then we start looking for a tan house with a lot of vegetation around it. So, what story are you going to tell them?”
    Granddad shot her a glance. “I’m looking for my nephew who used to live at their address, and I thought the people living there might know where he moved to.”
    “You don’t look like you’re seventy-two years old. More like fifty. Maybe you should say you’re looking for your estranged brother or sister. Be sure not to use your last name, because—”
    “Katie, you might beat me at chess almost every game, but your granddad is no fool.”
    “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I just want so badly for this to work—to find Jenn.”
    “I know. So do I. And we will, Katie. We most certainly will.”
    When they turned onto the loop, Katie noticed that most of the driveways were lined with small palm trees and flowering bushes. With a little luck, they would be able to park near the house and still keep her hidden from anyone who might be standing at the front door.
    Granddad pointed ahead to their left. “That must be the tan house. I’ll drive by to—”
    She grabbed his arm. “Granddad, stop. Now.”
    He hit the brakes and pulled to the curb on the left side of the street, leaving a cluster of short palm trees between the car and the house. “What is it, Katie?”
    “That’s Anya ahead of us, walking towards the house.”
    “Maybe you should slide down in the seat. We can’t let her see you…yet.”
    “But we need to stop her before she gets into the house.”
    “I’ve got it all under control. You just stay out of sight, young lady. “
    Katie opened her window as she slid down in her seat but kept an ear near the window and an eye on the scene unfolding in front of her.
    Granddad stepped from the car when Anya turned from the sidewalk onto the walkway leading to the house. “Miss, can you please help me find someone?”
    Anya looked back at Granddad as he approached, but then frowned and stepped quickly towards the door. She twisted the doorknob. The door didn’t open.
    From her vantage point, Katie could still see them through gaps in the trees, and she could hear their conversation.
    “My brother used to live in this house. I was hoping