Shaina’s smile seemed forced. “Of course. I wanted to attend a luau while I was here, but I never expected to get to come to one as authentic as this.” A cell phone chirped, and she fumbled in her purse. “Excuse me a minute.” She flipped it open and answered it. “Andi, is something wrong?” She hunched over the phone with tense shoulders.
Bane could hear a young voice on the other end, but he couldn’t make out what was said.
“I’m trying to get the money together,” Shaina was saying softly. “I’ll be home as soon as I do. Don’t worry, this will all be over soon. Listen, I’ve got to go.” She listened a moment. “I know it’s hard, baby, but hang in there. I love you.” She clicked off the phone and dropped it back into her purse. “Sorry about that. My five-year- old daughter is staying with my mom and getting tired of it.”
Leia’s attention went back to Shaina. “I’m sure she’s fun to have around.”
This time Shaina’s smile was genuine. “She’s a great kid! She’s been sick a lot, but she rarely complains.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
Shaina’s smile faded. “She has muscular dystrophy. It’s been hard to squeak by with all the medical costs. My insurance premiums are through the roof. I’m here trying to drum up some new business for my new line of clothing. If I can get some accounts, I want to move her into a house near a school in New York that caters to children like her.”
New York? She’d said something earlier about L.A. Bane noticed the way she stared earnestly into Leia’s face as though trying to convince her of her sincerity.
“This trip sure turned into a nightmare for you,” Leia said. “I wouldn’t think there would be much business you could connect with here on Moloka’i. It doesn’t have the tourism like O’ahu or Mau’i have. What made you come here?”
Trust a woman to hone in on shopping facts. Bane hadn’t even thought of that. He watched Shaina drop her gaze.
She recovered her aplomb. “Well, I was working on accounts on O’ahu, but the opportunity came up to check out the island here. I hadn’t realized there were so few shops until I got here.” Her gaze shifted away. “I decided to take up Tony’s offer of a job while I was here.”
Tony had talked like she’d forced him into offering her a job. Bane watched her. “Did you know anyone here? It makes for a lonely adventure when you don’t have anyone to share it with.”
She didn’t meet his gaze. “No, no one. I’d always wanted to see this island though, and there was no time like the present.”
“Look, I guess I should be honest with you,” Bane said. “Tony told me about your claims that he was Andi’s father.”
Shaina’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think anyone knew but Candace,” she mumbled.
“You told Candace?”
She nodded. “How did you know?”
“He mentioned it before his last dive. But he thought Candace didn’t know.”
“She called me a liar.” Shaina lifted her chin and gave a slight toss of her head. “She just doesn’t want to face the facts. And I’m not leaving until I get something for Andi. I have to have help.” Her dark eyes held a feverish light.
Bane’s gaze wandered to Leia, and he saw from her expression that she shared his suspicions.
Fifteen
Leia’s father and uncle sat at the drums; their thumping rhythm like a drug in Leia’s limbs. She knew Kaia and Malia felt the same way. Hula was as much a part of them as their hair color and blood type. “Let’s dance,” she called out.
“I’m ready.” Bane came toward her.
He’d changed into a malo, a loincloth covered with strips of kapa that hung to midthigh. A necklace of shark teeth hung around his neck, and leis of shark teeth and leaves circled his ankles and wrists. Mano was dressed like Bane, but she barely noticed him. Leia realized she was staring at Bane and dropped her gaze. Her heartbeat resounded with the throb of the drums.
The two men began a hula ku’i Moloka’i. It made Leia breath-less just to watch. Ajax barked and ran around the dancers. Leia called him to her and put her arm around his neck to quiet him. Their thumping feet and chants choreographed with the thrusting, aggressive movements of their arms and necks and the gut-tural battle chant. Leia had to hang on to Ajax’s collar to keep him from joining the hula. She watched in rapt attention as their dance told the story of a group of fishermen who encountered a sea monster. The men were glistening with perspiration when they finished. Leia and Kaia jumped to their feet and cheered. Annie clapped in a sedate manner, but the pride on her face spoke volumes.
“Whew, I have to sit down,” Mano said. “My blood-sugar levels haven’t been very stable lately. Exercise makes it worse.”