She showed her father the damage. He just shrugged and went back to his desk. “Probably kids,” he said.
She doubted that. If someone broke into the garage, they could easily gain access to the house. “I’m going to check the windows,” she told her father. She grabbed a flashlight, then went around the corner of the house, stepping over the profuse bougainvillea in the planting beds. Her foot ached from so much walking today, and her limp was more pronounced than usual.
She didn’t expect to see anything. The barred windows should discourage even a persistent intruder. The flashlight’s beam illuminated the first window. It looked undisturbed. She went to the window that was screened from the road by silversword. Two of the bars no longer blocked access, and a third bar barely clung to its position. Fangs of broken glass protruded from the window frame. One more bar and the intruder would have gained access.
Something must have frightened him off. “Father, come here,” she called.
He grumbled under his breath as he exited the garage and came to join her. “I’m busy, Annie. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”
She pointed to the window. “This has to have been done in the past week. I washed all the windows last Saturday.”
He studied it carefully. “We’re home at night. Why didn’t we hear it break? I didn’t notice it either.”
“You wouldn’t notice anything other than your computer missing.” She smiled. “He must have done this in broad daylight while we were gone. That took guts. I wonder if any of the neighbors saw anything.”
Her father had a worried frown. “We should call the police.”
“I’ll call Sam again,” she said. They went back inside, and she pushed the phone’s redial button. She was dumped into voice mail, so she left a message asking Sam to call her. “I’ll call Mano and ask him to come back.” He’d given her his cell number, and she dug it out of her purse and dialed it. His deep voice washed her fear away. “I hope you’re not in the middle of something,” she told him.
“Not yet.”
“Someone has tried to break into the garage. I can’t reach Sam. Could you come help me check it out?” She hated to ask him for anything, but she didn’t know who else to call.
“I’m just down the road. I’ll be right there.”
He must be at Kauhi’s place. She put the phone down and went to tell her father Mano was on his way. He’d quickly lost interest in the vandalism and was back at his desk.
“Fine, fine,” he muttered. His gaze was on the computer screen.
Annie sighed and went back inside to wait.
Mano clicked his phone off. The stress in Annie’s voice worried him. The problems never seemed to stop for them. Could the breakin attempt be related to Tomi? He still hoped Leilani was with her brother. Until Tomi made contact again, they were in limbo though. If he could get his hands on Tomi, he’d strangle him.
Could Tomi have really been involved in espionage? It seemed hard to equate his good-natured friend with something so treacherous. But there didn’t seem to be any other explanation for the money. Two million dollars. It was hard to take in.
His cell phone rang again, and he answered it. “Mano, here.”
“Hey, buddy.”
Mano’s gut tightened. “Tomi? Where are you?”
“Here on the Big Island. I told you I’d be heading this way.”
It sounded like Tomi. Mano grew even more confident that he wasn’t mistaken about that. “Where? I’ll come get you.”
“No!” He hesitated. “I—I’m in some trouble, Mano. I need your help.”
“What can I do?”
“Do you have the bankbook?”
“Yeah, I gave it to Annie like you said.” He heard Tomi’s exhalation of relief. “Tomi? What’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you. Tell Annie I’ll call her when I decide what to do.”
Tomi’s usual confidence was missing. He sounded almost despondent. And desperate. “I’ll tell her,” Mano said. “Tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I can help.”
“I’m not sure anyone can help,” Tomi muttered. “I’ve been so stupid.” He cleared his throat, and his voice became stronger. “I’ll be in touch.”
“What about Leilani?” Mano blurted out.
“Leilani? What—out—er?” Tomi’s voice was breaking up.
“I didn’t catch what you said, Tomi. Leilani’s missing. Annie found the necklace she always wears. It was by some fumeroles. We were hoping she was with you.”
“I have—seen—home . . .” The connection died.
“Tomi? I didn’t get that. Tomi?” He tossed the phone in his pocket and flattened the accelerator. He wanted to be with Annie when Tomi called.
Wilson crawled into Annie’s lap and nuzzled her neck. She stroked his soft fur. It took Mano longer to arrive than she’d expected. When she finally saw his bulky form through the rice-paper screen, her relief surprised her. She held the door open for him.