Fawn put her hands on her hips. “You listen to me, Annie Tagama! It’s time you let your father be an adult and take the responsibility for his own life like a man. This is not your burden. Your job is not to keep anything unpleasant from touching him. You either go out there and talk to him, or I will.”
Annie knew she’d do it too. She held out her hands. “I know you’re right, but my mother wanted me to keep things running smoothly. I want to honor her.” Annie wasn’t sure why she so feared her father’s displeasure. She supposed it was in her mental makeup to hate upsetting the peace. “Let’s go talk to him,” she said. She led the way down the hall and found her father watching TV in the living room. “Where’s Tomi?” she asked him.
“He went to the store after soda.”
Annie sat on the arm of the chair and clasped her hands in front of her. “I need to ask you a question.”
Her father muted the television. “All right. You look very serious.”
“It’s about Gina.” Annie wet her lips.
He held up his hand. “It’s too soon to know where things will lead with her. I like her very much, but we’re just beginning our relationship. And no matter what happens, there will always be a place for you.”
“Um, that’s good to know, but it’s not what I need to find out.”
He frowned. “What’s this all about then?”
“I was going through Tomi’s things and found a picture. You remember that diving accident where he couldn’t find the divers by the volcano?”
“Of course. Our honor was questioned.”
“Did you know that it was Gina’s husband and daughter who died that day? And her dead husband was CEO of Banos.”
From her father’s thunderstruck expression, she knew Gina had never mentioned it. The dread in the pit of her stomach grew, and she knew she had to talk to Gina.
Mano’s car hugged the curves of the narrow road that led to Aloha Shores. The full moon illuminated the barren lava fields on either side of the vehicle. He glanced at Annie. She sat clutching the side of the door. He wanted to bring up the emotions that hovered between them but knew now wasn’t the right time. Not while she was intent on hearing Gina’s explanation.
“I still can’t believe it,” she mumbled. Wilson snored as he slept on her lap.
“I think she likely just didn’t know how to tell you all about it.”
“But don’t you think it’s weird that she’d date my dad and mother me when she was upset enough with Tomi to bring a wrongful death suit against him? And what about those phone calls saying that Tomi is going to pay for what he did? I thought it was about the money, but now I’m not so sure. She didn’t tell us about the casino connection either.”
“I want you to be careful not to ruin your relationship with Gina over this when it may have nothing to do with Leilani’s disappearance. It could be that her good will toward you is just her way of trying to make up for the suit against Tomi.”
Annie nodded. “I know you’re probably right, but something feels wrong about it. She’s had a year to tell us. Surely she could have found the right time.”
“Maybe.” He still wasn’t convinced. Turning the wheel, he approached the subdivision. It was after nine. Too late for a social call, but Annie wouldn’t rest until they’d talked to Gina. He stopped beside her house. The outside light was on, and one small lamp inside shone dimly through the living-room window.
“It looks like she might not be home. Her car isn’t here either.” Annie deposited Wilson on the seat, then followed Mano to the door. She knocked. There was no answer, and she tried three more times before giving up.
“Any idea where she might be?”
Annie shook her head. “I don’t know much about her social life. We need to find her tonight.”
Mano had been thinking. “Remember what you said about hating the night of the full moon?”
She nodded. “I thought maybe the Ku cult was going to sacrifice Leilani tonight. I’m almost relieved to think Gina might have her instead.” Her face was turned up to him to listen.
“This is the night offerings are made to the akua, the Hawaiian gods. The calls you’ve been getting have hinted that Leilani is the one who will pay for whatever Tomi did, right?”
“Yes.” Her eyes widened. “You think Gina could be involved with the cult too?”
“Maybe. Gina is gone. Maybe it’s a leap to think they could be connected, but it somehow makes sense.”
“We have to find her!” Annie grabbed his arm. “Mano, I’m scared. What if you’re right and we have to find her now—tonight?”
He took her hand, and they ran toward the car. Where they’d look next, he wasn’t sure, but they couldn’t stand around waiting for another clue to drop into their laps. Annie ran to her side of the car and jumped in. He got in and started the engine. “How about we go see Kauhi? He seems to be our only real connection with the cult.”