“I can’t wait to see him.” Sam beamed. “Great news all around for your family. I’m glad this has ended so well on both counts.”
Annie could tell he was congratulating himself on being right about Leilani. But something didn’t sit right with her. She and Mano chatted a few more minutes, then exited the station.
“We need to see CeCe now,” Mano said as soon as they stepped into the sunshine. “This stinks like dead mackerel.”
Seventeen
Annie glanced at her watch. “CeCe’s probably at lunch now. She and Leilani always used to go to the Kilauea Iki Overlook with their lunch. We could try there.” They got in the car, and passing through a shower in the rain forest, drove to the park. Several vehicles were in the parking area at the overlook.
“There she is,” Mano said.
CeCe sat on the stone fence. One foot swung carelessly back and forth as she talked to another young woman about her age. “And I told him no way was I going to give back the ring. If he was going to dump me, I was getting something out of the relationship. Of course that just made him livid.” She licked a piece of peanut butter from her thumb.
“CeCe, we need to talk to you,” Annie said, breaking into the conversation before CeCe could draw another breath.
CeCe’s eyes widened. “Annie. Hi.” She sounded breathless, and her giggle came out nervously. “What are you doing here?”
“We just talked to Sam. He said you saw Leilani.”
The other girl got up. “I’ll be in the car.” She hurried away as though she wanted nothing to do with the conversation.
“That’s right.” Her head bobbed up and down.
“Who was the guy she was with?”
“Um, I don’t know. I didn’t recognize him.” CeCe looked away, back toward the rain forest surrounding the outlook.
Annie grew cold, though the breeze was warm and fragrant. “What was she wearing?’
“Uh, let’s see. That new red and black aloha top with black denim shorts. Those ones I’ve tried to get her to let me borrow.”
Annie crossed her arms. “That’s not possible. That top is still in her room.”
“Oh, is it? Maybe she bought one like it.” Her voice faltered, and she stood and brushed crumbs from her shirt. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“You didn’t see her at all, did you, CeCe? Why would you lie to Sam?”
“Don’t tell him.” CeCe’s voice rose. “Tab will . . .”
“Tab Watson? He told you to lie?”
CeCe nodded. “He wanted to get Sam off his back. He thought if you were convinced Leilani was all right, the cops would lay off.”
Tab Watson. The last person to see Leilani alive. Nausea roiled in her stomach. Did that mean Leilani was dead?
“Don’t say anything, please,” CeCe begged.
“Why would you lie for Tab?”
“Well, we’ve gone out a couple of times,” CeCe said.
“I thought you said he didn’t appeal to you,” Mano put in.
CeCe shrugged. “I lied, okay? He says he preferred me to Leilani all along, but Leilani was more forward, and he thought I didn’t like him.”
“Oh brother,” Mano said, his voice heavy with disgust. “Let’s go, Annie.” He pointed at CeCe. “You tell Aki that if he’s hurt Leilani, I’m going to take him down.”
“Who’s Aki?” CeCe asked as they walked away.
Mano whirled. “Ask your boyfriend why he uses an assumed name. His real name is Kim Aki.”
Annie could feel Mano’s anger coming off in waves. Was it because CeCe had said Leilani was a flirt, or was it because of the lies? She wished she knew what his feelings for Leilani were now. “What’s this about Tab Watson being Kim Aki?” She got in the car.
Mano slammed his door. “Me and Aki have had a run-in before. He’s trouble, and I have a feeling he’s involved in this up to his neck. I’m going to have another talk with him later.” He glanced at his watch. “What about that place where Leilani and Tomi had their clubhouse? Let’s go check it out.”
There was nothing better to do. She nodded. “It’s out toward our house.”
He started the car, and she directed him. They were both silent as the town fell behind them. “There,” she said. “Turn here.” She pointed to a dirt track that was practically obscured by overgrowth. “Take this about two miles in toward the volcano.”
“Seems too spooky a place for kids to hang out. This is on your property, isn’t it?”
She nodded. “At the northern edge.”
He slowed the car, but it still jolted when it hit the potholes in the lane. “No one’s been out through here in a while. The last rain washed away any tire tracks.”
“She could have walked,” Annie pointed out.
“Leilani’s not exactly one for physical exercise. This is a long way back.”